CPC Weather Interpretation & Meteorology for Controllers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a SIGMET and when is it issued?
- A routine weather advisory issued daily
- A non-convective weather advisory for severe or extreme conditions affecting all aircraft (Correct answer)
- A pilot weather report of turbulence
- A forecast for airport surface conditions
Correct answer: A non-convective weather advisory for severe or extreme conditions affecting all aircraft
A SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) is issued for non-convective phenomena such as severe turbulence, severe icing, or volcanic ash that may affect all aircraft.
Question 2: A Convective SIGMET is automatically issued when a thunderstorm cell contains hail at the surface of at least:
- 1/2 inch diameter
- 3/4 inch diameter (Correct answer)
- 1 inch diameter
- 2 inch diameter
Correct answer: 3/4 inch diameter
Convective SIGMETs are issued for surface hail of 3/4 inch or greater diameter, among other convective criteria.
Question 3: What weather phenomenon is most commonly associated with clear-air turbulence (CAT)?
- Thunderstorm activity at cruise altitude
- Jet stream boundaries and wind shear (Correct answer)
- High pressure systems over mountains
- Frontal passage at low altitudes
Correct answer: Jet stream boundaries and wind shear
Clear-air turbulence most frequently occurs near jet stream boundaries where strong horizontal and vertical wind shear exists.
Question 4: When a pilot reports a ceiling of 800 feet and visibility of 1.5 miles, the conditions are classified as:
- VFR
- MVFR
- IFR (Correct answer)
- LIFR
Correct answer: IFR
IFR conditions are defined as a ceiling below 1,000 feet and/or visibility less than 3 miles; this report meets both IFR thresholds.
Question 5: Which weather product provides a 24–48 hour forecast of enroute conditions including turbulence, icing, and freezing levels?
- METARs
- AIRMETs
- FA (Area Forecast) (Correct answer)
- PIREP
Correct answer: FA (Area Forecast)
The Area Forecast (FA) provides an 18-hour forecast plus a 12-hour outlook for clouds, weather, and conditions over a large region.
Question 6: What does the AIRMET SIERRA advisory specifically warn pilots about?
- Severe turbulence
- Instrument flight rule conditions and mountain obscuration (Correct answer)
- Icing in clouds
- Low-level wind shear
Correct answer: Instrument flight rule conditions and mountain obscuration
AIRMET Sierra addresses IFR conditions and mountain obscuration, warning of widespread areas of ceilings below 1,000 ft and/or visibility below 3 miles.
CPC Weather Interpretation & Meteorology for Controllers 1
What is a SIGMET and when is it issued?