Weather Question

Really the only thing out there that actually measures the tops of clouds (besides pilots flying in them) is IR satellite. But that is more a measurement of temperature (colder temp=higher cloud top). If you are feeling really ambitious you could do some google research and probably find some kind of rule of thumb for converting those readings to units of height.

And if you are really REALLY ambitious you could learn how to read a skew-T chart. But that's only good for the somewhat widely spaced locations where they send up weather balloons, and they only take readings every six hours.
 
It's a challenge eh? I use PIREPS and the FA, but had always wondered if there was some super chart I never knew about.
 
FL900 said:
Really the only thing out there that actually measures the tops of clouds (besides pilots flying in them) is IR satellite. But that is more a measurement of temperature (colder temp=higher cloud top). If you are feeling really ambitious you could do some google research and probably find some kind of rule of thumb for converting those readings to units of height.

And if you are really REALLY ambitious you could learn how to read a skew-T chart. But that's only good for the somewhat widely spaced locations where they send up weather balloons, and they only take readings every six hours.
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This. Learn to read a skew-t. There is a ton if information in that chart. Probably more than any other weather chart.

http://w1.spc.woc.noaa.gov/exper/soundings/
http://w1.spc.woc.noaa.gov/exper/soundings/help/index.html
 
Area forecasts need to be taken with a grain of salt...actually more like a big bag of salt. What I have noticed with them is that they usually drastically over-estimate the cloud tops and in reality they end up being quite a bit lower than what the FA was calling for. Probably because they are predicting the worst case scenario over a wide area for a fairly big time frame.

PIREPs can also be unreliable if the weather is changing rapidly or they are a decent distance away. I usually don't trust anything more than an hour old or more than 50mi away.

The most accurate method involves learning each cloud type and the associated weather factors like moisture and instability that affect their development. For instance, a low overcast stratus layer on a cold winter day is likely only a few thousand feet thick at most. Then again, a precip-producing nimbostratus cloud layer on a 40 or 50 degree day may appear thin but may have tops well above 10,000ft.
 
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/mdl/gfslamp/gfslamp.shtml <--- Meteograms/LAMP, great source to see TAF trends. I use this sometimes, but for a broader/better picture I use the forecast discussions.

http://rucsoundings.noaa.gov/ <-- SkewTLogP java version. Shows winds, and also displays altitudes in feet along with Mb's. Just move your cursor along the temp line and find out! Great for finding smooth or turbulent air, wind shear, cloud bases, tops, icing threats, and a boat load of other advanced weather theories.

http://aviationweather.gov/general/pubs/front/ Excellent articles written by NWS meteorologists for everything weather related on a pilots point of view.
 
nocturnalaviator said:
Amen! One of my favorite additions. The metar java tool alongside with another window showing a satellite image is pretty slick too. Graphics and informative text to read about what you're seeing? Great combo!
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I wonder if anyone uses the high or midlevel charts. I know how to read them, but don't fly high or far enough for them to be of any real use.

Overall though, skew-t is the way to go, so much information in just a glance if you know how to read them.
 
Kitchink said:
I've decided that if I have kids I'm going to name one Skew-T and the other Log-P.
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Convergence and Divergence They'll be the coolest kids in school! By the way I was watching myth busters (the one where they made their own flying machine that failed) anyway, they go to this aviation museum and the damn tour guide is named North East West. Swear to god.
 
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