FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX)WeatherEasy
A pilot is conducting a preflight weather briefing for a flight from California to Arizona. The pilot notes a significant area of 'MOD TURB' between FL250 and FL390 on the High-Level Significant Weather Prognostic Chart. What type of weather phenomenon does this chart typically depict at these altitudes?
- AVisual Flight Rules (VFR) weather minimums and cloud bases.
- BLow-level wind shear and icing conditions.
- CSurface fronts and precipitation areas.
- DJet streams, tropopause height, and areas of moderate to severe turbulence.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Jet streams, tropopause height, and areas of moderate to severe turbulence.
The High-Level Significant Weather Prognostic Chart is designed to depict significant weather phenomena for flight levels above 24,000 feet, which includes jet streams, tropopause height, and areas of moderate to severe turbulence.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. VFR weather minimums and cloud bases are generally found in METARs, TAFs, or low-level forecast charts, not high-level prognostic charts.
- B. Low-level wind shear and icing are primarily concerns for lower altitudes and are found on different charts or reports.
- C. Surface fronts and precipitation are typically depicted on surface analysis charts or low-level prognostic charts.
High-Level SIGWX PROG Chart
A forecast chart depicting significant weather phenomena from 24,000 feet MSL up to 45,000 feet MSL.
- Issued four times daily.
- Depicts jet streams, tropopause height, and areas of moderate to severe turbulence/icing.
- Crucial for high-altitude flight planning.
Memory trick: High-flying jets check the SIGWX PROG for their high-altitude problems.