Frequently Asked Aviation Weather Questions (FAQ)

© Peter Lester

Frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) and appropriate answers are found below. They are organized according to chapter of Aviation Weather, 3rd Edition, unless otherwise stated. In cases of overlapping material, some questions and answers may appear in two or more FAQ locations.

The Table of Contents for Aviation Weather is given below to help you sort through the broad topics of each chapter. Click on the Part or Chapter Number and you will go to the page with the appropriate list of questions for that part of the text.

Can’t find a relevant FAQ? Email your query to me.

Table of Contents

Part I Aviation Weather Basics
Chapter 1 The Atmosphere
Chapter 2 Atmospheric Energy and Temperature
Chapter 3 Pressure, Altitude, And Density
Chapter 4 Wind
Chapter 5 Vertical Motion and Stability
Chapter 6 Atmospheric Moisture

Part II Atmospheric Circulation Systems
Chapter 7 Scales of Atmospheric Circulations
Chapter 8 Airmasses, Fronts, and Cyclones
Chapter 9 Thunderstorms
Chapter 10 Local Winds

Part III Aviation Weather Hazards
Chapter 11 Wind Shear
Chapter 12 Turbulence
Chapter 13 Icing
Chapter 14 Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC)
Chapter 15 Additional Weather Hazards

Part IV Applying Weather Knowledge
Chapter 16 Aviation Weather Resources
Chapter 17 Weather Evaluation for Flight

Appendixes
Appendix A: Conversion Factors
Appendix B: Standard Atmosphere
Appendix C: Dewpoint and Humidity Tables
Appendix D: Standard Meteorological Codes and Graphics for Aviation
Appendix E: Glossary of Weather Terms
Appendix F: Internet Resources and Printed References
Appendix G: Review Question Answers