FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Weather Theory and ServicesEasy
A pilot observes a METAR for their destination airport that includes the remark 'FZRA'. What type of precipitation and associated hazard should the pilot anticipate?
- ALight snow pellets, indicating limited visibility and minor surface accumulation.
- BModerate freezing rain, indicating a significant risk of severe airframe icing.
- CHeavy freezing fog, indicating extremely poor visibility and ground icing.
- DLight freezing drizzle, indicating potential for light airframe icing.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Moderate freezing rain, indicating a significant risk of severe airframe icing.
'FZRA' in a METAR stands for Freezing Rain. Freezing rain is considered a severe weather phenomenon for aviation due to its rapid accumulation as clear ice, which can quickly lead to severe airframe icing.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. FZRA is rain, not snow pellets. Snow pellets are denoted by 'GS'.
- C. FZRA is rain, not fog. Freezing fog is denoted by 'FZFG'.
- D. FZRA is freezing rain, not drizzle. Freezing rain is typically associated with severe, not light, icing.
METAR Precipitation Code: FZRA
In a METAR, 'FZRA' indicates freezing rain, a severe weather hazard due to the rapid accumulation of clear ice on aircraft surfaces.
- FZRA = Freezing Rain.
- Causes rapid accumulation of clear ice.
- Often results in severe airframe icing.
- Extremely dangerous for aircraft.
Memory trick: METAR P-Codes: 'RA' is rain, 'SN' is snow, 'FZ' means 'Freezing' danger!