Useful Resources

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Welcome! Click on the links to access recent weather forecasts and data in Canada.

METARs and SPECIs  Links to an external site.

METAR - Aviation Routine Weather Report

SPECI- Aviation Selected Special Weather Report

METARs and SPECIs are used to check the most recent weather conditions at airports. Thus, providing travellers and pilots access to current weather reports for their departing and landing airports. METARs are updated hourly. Additionally, if there are significant weather changes between the METAR reports, a special report known as the SPECI will be issued. 

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Source:  Aviation Weather Center https://canvas.ubc.ca/eportfolios/1581/Useful_Resources. Nov. 12, 2018 

 

Note that METARs can only tell the most recent weather, and not the future weather. For forecasts of future weather, TAFS are used. 

 

TAF- Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts 

As mentioned, TAF provides predictions of the future weather at airports.  They are produced by human forecasters on the ground and are not always accurate. Thus, always use TAFs with discretion.

In Canada, TAF information can be accessed using this link: https://flightplanning.navcanada.ca/cgi-bin/CreePage.pl?Langue=anglais&NoSession=NS_Inconnu&Page=Fore-obs/metar-taf-map&TypeDoc=htmlLinks to an external site.

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Source: Aviation Weather Web Site, https://flightplanning.navcanada.ca/cgi-bin/CreePage.pl?Langue=anglais&NoSession=NS_Inconnu&Page=Fore-obs/metar-taf-map&TypeDoc=html.  Links to an external site.Nov. 12, 2018

 

GFA - Graphic Area Forecast Links to an external site.

The GFA provides not only Clouds and Weather forecasts, but also Icing, Turbulence and Freezing level forecasts. The GFA is issued four times daily at the times 2330, 0530, 1130 and 1730 UTC. This chart predicts forecasts areas of cloud ceilings, icing,  turbulence and the expected freezing level at one point in time.

When accessing the website, you must first click into the region of interest. For example, since I live in British Columbia, I click the Pacific region.

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Source: Aviation Weather Web Site, https://flightplanning.navcanada.ca/cgi-bin/CreePage.pl?Langue=anglais&NoSession=&Page=Fore-obs%2Fgfacn-map&TypeDoc=html,Links to an external site. Nov. 12, 2018

After clicking onto the Pacific region, you will be brought to this page. You have the option of seeing forecasts of Clouds & Weather or Icing, Turbulence & Icing Level. 

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1) Ceiling and Visibility Links to an external site.

If you click onto Clouds & Weather, you will be provided information regarding cloud ceiling and visibility. Cloud ceiling is the height above the ground while visibility is the measure of what one can see from a far away distance.  

Determining the cloud ceiling is important as VFR pilots need good visibility to fly. If an VFR pilot is in the cloud, then they cannot see. This information is crucial to VFR pilots as they can obtain information on areas of poor visibility and thus plan routes to avoid it. 

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Source: NAV Canada, https://flightplanning.navcanada.ca/Latest/gfa/anglais/Latest-gfacn31_cldwx_000-e.html?Produit=GFA&Region=31&Langue=anglais&NoSession=NS_Inconnu&Mode=graph,Links to an external site. Nov. 12, 2018. 

 

GFA is also used to predict Icing, Turbulence and Icing Levels.

2) Icing/ Icing Levels 

Icing is depicted in blue and is only shown when moderate or severe icing is predicted to occur while freezing levels are shown as contours. Pilots should avoid areas of icing and high freezing levels as the formation of ice on the aircraft can cause increases in drag and weight as well as decreases  in lift and thrust. If icing were to occur, the pilot could lose control of the aircraft and unfavourable outcomes may occur.  

3) Turbulence 

Turbulence is depicted in red and similarly only shown in the chart whenever it is moderate or severe. The base and top of each turbulence layer is measured in hundreds of feet ASL. Information provided on turbulence is useful for airlines who depend on regions of low turbulence in order to ensure a smooth and safe flight experience for their passengers. This is also very useful as pilots can avoid areas of severe turbulence which can potentially cause damage to the aircraft. 

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