Weather & NOTAMs

The order never changes

1. Station (ICAO code) and time: 111856Z = day 11, 18:56 UTC.
2. Wind: 28016G24KT = from 280° at 16 kt, gusting 24.
3. Visibility: 10SM (statute miles, US) or 9999 (metres, 10 km or more).
4. Weather: -RA light rain, +TSRA heavy thunderstorm with rain, BR mist, FG fog.
5. Clouds: FEW 1–2/8, SCT 3–4/8, BKN 5–7/8, OVC 8/8, height in hundreds of feet.
6. Temperature / dew point: 17/11, M means minus.
7. Pressure: A3002 = 30.02 inHg, Q1004 = 1004 hPa. Set it on the altimeter.

What matters for your flight

• Ceiling: the lowest BKN or OVC layer. Below about 200 ft you'll likely need a CAT II/III approach.
• Crosswind: compare the wind with the runway heading in the crosswind calculator.
• Temperature and dew point close together: fog or low cloud is likely.
• CB or TS: thunderstorms. Plan around them.
• CAVOK: ceiling and visibility OK, an easy day.

TAF: the forecast

A TAF uses the same codes as a METAR but covers the next 24–30 hours.

• 1121/1224 valid from day 11 at 21Z to day 12 at 24Z.
• FM120400 from 04:00 UTC on the 12th, conditions change to what follows.
• TEMPO temporary changes, BECMG gradually becoming, PROB30 30% chance.

Check the TAF for your arrival time, not just the current METAR.

NOTAMs: notices to air missions

• Temporary changes at an airport or in the airspace: closed runways or taxiways, unserviceable ILS, cranes, work in progress.
• SimBrief adds the NOTAMs for your departure, arrival and alternate to the OFP.
• Look for RWY closures and ILS U/S before you choose your runway. The sim itself doesn't apply real NOTAMs, so treat them as practice.