Cloud Cover Question

Murdoughnut

Murdoughnut

Well sized member
Is cloud cover in a METAR reported as AGL or MSL? I was always under the assumption that it was MSL, but in practicing for the instrument written, one question I ran into made it seem as if it were AGL. I fly at sea level so it's not something I would have ever really questioned.

Thanks!
 
AGL. It is reported as MSL above FL200 I believe. Don't quote me on that, however. I may be wrong on the switchover altitude, but low-altitude weather (at least below FL180) is reported in AGL.
 
AGL, always AGL.

To be honest, heights above 18,000ft, are all a guess anyway. Most human observes use either a standard 180, 250, 300, or 350 for cloud cover above FL180. Simply because there really isn't a way to detect the actual height of the clouds at that altitude from the SFC. So it's a guess, and all cloud heights are AGL.

Plus, the heights will vary during seasons, etc.
 
Wow - thanks guys. That could have been an embarassing pink slip on the oral portion. Funny how living at sea level, it just never occurred to me that it would be AGL. Makes sense, though.

Thanks!
 
AFL, not AGL.

At some airports, the touchdown zone elevation for some runways can be noticeably lower than the airport elevation.
 
LarryinTN said:
AFL, not AGL.

At some airports, the touchdown zone elevation for some runways can be noticeably lower than the airport elevation.
Click to expand...

AFL? What the hell is that. . .

In my experience as a meteorologist, I've never heard of such a thing.

And yes, touchdown zone elevations, yes can be lower than the airport elevation. . .know why?

Because the labeled airport elevation is the highest point of elevation on the airport facility. Such as, http://www.myairplane.com/databases/approach/pdfs/00026AD.PDF

But anyway. . .explain this AFL. . .I'm interested.
 
surreal1221 said:
AFL? What the hell is that. . .

In my experience as a meteorologist, I've never heard of such a thing.

And yes, touchdown zone elevations, yes can be lower than the airport elevation. . .know why?

Because the labeled airport elevation is the highest point of elevation on the airport facility. Such as, http://www.myairplane.com/databases/approach/pdfs/00026AD.PDF

But anyway. . .explain this AFL. . .I'm interested.
Click to expand...

I assume Actual Field Level? As in, the height above the listed field elevation?
 
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