How to decode the weather?

[Cathnan]

Hi, I bought the campaign yesterday and went through the briefing for the first mission. On the kneeboard there is the box WX. Presumably that's the weather, and some of it makes sense to me. But can someone please tell me what each point means? I'm taking the liberty to post the box of the first mission here. If that is a problem, Moderators or Baltic Dragon please by all means feel free to delete this post.

I assume 21240KT is wind 40 knots coming from 212 degrees going towards 032

OVC040 = overcast clouds starting at 4000 feet

sct230 no idea

66F = 66° Fahrenheit air temperature

ALT: 2983 = altimeter setting

SST:52F no idea

SEAS: 5 no idea

Can someone please fill in the blanks, and are my assumptions correct?

[Butcher_Raghen]

Hi Cathan,

usually in real world pilots use Metar and Taf in order to have situation awareness about current weather (metar) and forecast weather (taf)

I agree with you for the wind, even if should be something like 21040KT the first 3 digits usually are wind direction with increments of 10 (where the wind is coming from) and the last 2 the velocity.

OVC is overcast at 4000 feet (you are again right)

SCT is scattered at 23000 feet

66F degree..... usually in metar/taf are in celsius

Altimeter is 2983

SST:52 F I can guess but I ve never seen that before..... SUNSET Temperature? I dunno

SEAS:5 ... I really dunno I hope someone can help.

 

[AdrianL]

The weather report seems to be a mixture of METAR and something else

I am pretty sure that SST is for Sea Surface Temperature. 

And SEAS is sea state. SEAS: 5 means rough

 

I generally just read the CVIC brief at the start of each mission which tells you what to expect from the weather. For example, in mission 1, "Weather is a factor…low overcast at below 4K, thunder in all quadrants, five miles vis and high gusty winds. We can feel the ship moving so expect pitching deck calls from the LSOs when we come back. "

 

This PDF lists the abbreviation and Acronyms for METAR/TAF.  https://www.weather.gov/media/wrh/mesowest/metar_decode_key.pdf

Edited January 9, 2023 by AdrianL

[pokeraccio]

3 hours ago, Cathnan said:

SST:52F no idea

https://www.climate.gov/maps-data/data-snapshots/data-source/sst-sea-surface-temperature

Q:Why do these data matter?

A: While heat energy is stored and mixed throughout the depth of the ocean, the temperature of water right at the sea's surface—where the ocean is in direct contact with the atmosphere—plays a significant role in weather and short-term climate. Where sea surface temperatures are high, relatively large amounts of heat energy and moisture enter the atmosphere, sometimes producing powerful, drenching storms downwind. Conversely, lower sea surface temperatures mean less evaporation. Global patterns of sea surface temperatures are an important factor for weather forecasts and climate outlooks.

 

@AdrianL is right.

[Nealius]

My question is why are the temperatures in F when all aviation calculations (aicraft performance, weapons ballistics) is done in C. 

[pete_auau]

yep  depends  on where  you come  from i guess  here  in oz  everything  is  in meteric  where as  in the  states  its  not 

[Nealius]

Even in the States aviation temp is done in C, at least on METAR. 

[Cathnan]

Awesome, thanks guys

[baltic_dragon]

And here the guys (Kevin and Jell-O) told me that it should be in F because this is what they had on the carrier

[Tophatter14]

Baltic, great campaign.  
 

Hey- just to clarify, Fahrenheit is used for sea surface temperature because that is what the national data buoy center uses.
 

Every squadron has a slightly different SOP, but when operating in warning areas over the ocean or any international waters with buoy data, we have to check sea surface temperatures.

https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

Basically, when windchill is below a certain temp and water temps are below 50s in Fahrenheit, we are required to wear exposure suits.  That way we have a chance of surviving post ejection based on SAR asset recovery times.  

FYI- I am a former Tomcat RIO, still flying as a reservist.  Currently attached to NAWDC.  
 

FYI x2 - we all HATE these suits.
 

  
 

 

Edited January 20, 2023 by Tophatter14
Photo added

[baltic_dragon]

Thank you @Tophatter14 for clarification and for your kind words. Always glad to hear that coming from former / active duty pilots! 
Are you attending the Hook in 2023?

[Tophatter14]

Not sure yet -but hopefully!