A-14
Revision 6 Feb/2009
For a single cell thunderstorm:
ISOLD
(isolated)
SVR TSTM
(severe thunderstorm)
D30
(30 nm in
diameter)
MOVG
(moving)
FROM 2520
(250 degrees at 20 knots).
Storm
TOPS ABV
(above)
FL450
(flight level 4-5-0).
HAIL TO 2 IN
(inches in diameter)
WIND GUSTS TO 65 KT
(knots)
PSBL
(pos-
sible).
For a line of thunderstorms 25 nm wide:
LINE
(line of)
SVR TSTMS
(severe thunderstorms)
25 MI WIDE
MOVG
(moving)
FROM 2745
(270 degrees at 45 knots). Storm
TOPS ABV
(above)
FL450
(flight level 4-5-0).
WIND GUSTS TO
60KT
(knots)
RPRTD
(reported).
TORNADOES…HAIL TO 2 IN
(inches in diameter)
…WIND GUSTS TO 65 KT
(knots)
PSBL
(pos-
sible).
UNDERSTANDING ALERT WEATHER WATCHES (AWW)
The following is an example of a typical Alert Weather Watch with an
explanation of the elements.
1.
Station Identifier:
SPC
SPC
is the station identifier for the Storm Prediction Center in
Norman, Oklahoma.
AWWs are issued for:
Tornado
Damaging winds or winds > 58 knots
Hail
≥
3/4 inch in diameter.
2.
Report Type:
AWW
AWW
indicates this is an Alert Weather Watch.
KMD 550/850 FIS Addendum
Appendix A
Understanding Weather Reports
SPC AWW 162236
WW 1162 SEVERE TSTM MS AL FL AND ADJ CSTL WTRS
162300Z - 170400Z
AXIS..75 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
45SW MOB/MOBILE AL/ - 30SSE DHN/DOTHAN AL/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 65NM N/S /37SW MOB - 51WNW TLH/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 1/4 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60
KNOTS. MAX TOPS TO 400. MEAN WIND VECTOR 23035.
1
3
4
2
6
7
8
5
9