New products on AMIDS - World Meteorological Organization · Codes, Volume I.2, ... SIGMET...
Transcript of New products on AMIDS - World Meteorological Organization · Codes, Volume I.2, ... SIGMET...
WMO Seminar /Workshop for Aeronautical Competencies and
SIGMETs
NAM/CAR Regions
Costa Rica, 25-27 August 2015
TC Sigmets Lawrence Pologne
Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Barbados
TCACs and Their Responsibilities as required in ICAO Annex 3
Section 3.7 Tropical cyclone advisory centres
A Contracting State having accepted, by regional air navigation agreement, the
responsibility for providing a TCAC shall arrange for that centre to:
a) monitor the development of tropical cyclones in its area of responsibility,
using geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite data, radar data and other
meteorological information;
b) issue advisory information concerning the position of the cyclone centre,
its direction and speed of movement, central pressure and maximum
surface wind near the centre, in abbreviated plain language to:
1) meteorological watch offices in its area of responsibility;
2) other TCACs whose areas of responsibility may be affected; and
3) world area forecast centres, international OPMET databanks, and
centres designated by regional air navigation agreement for the
operation of aeronautical fixed service satellite distribution systems;
and
c) issue updated advisory information to meteorological watch offices for
each tropical cyclone, as necessary, but at least every six hours.
Manual of Aeronautical Meteorological Practice (DOC 8896)
1.6 TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVISORY CENTRES (TCACs)
TCACs are meteorological centres designated by regional air navigation agreement on
advice from WMO. They monitor the development of tropical cyclones in their areas of
responsibility, using geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite data and other
meteorological information sources (e.g. numerical weather prediction models).
TCACs provide MWOs, providers of international OPMET databanks established by
regional agreement, providers of the aeronautical fixed service (AFS) satellite
distribution systems and, as necessary, other TCACs with advisory information
regarding the position of the centre of the tropical cyclone, its forecast direction and
speed of movement, central pressure and maximum surface wind near the centre of the
cyclone. The advisory information is to be used by MWOs in support of the issuance of
SIGMET information for tropical cyclones. The information is also made available to
aeronautical users through the AFS satellite distribution systems.
Specification of tropical cyclone advisory information as required
in ICAO Annex 3 Appendix 2
5. TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVISORY CENTRES (TCAC)
5.1 Tropical cyclone advisory information
5.1.1 The advisory information on tropical cyclones shall be issued for tropical
cyclones when the maximum of the 1-minute/10-minute mean surface wind speed is
expected to reach or exceed 17 m/s (34 kt) during the period covered by the advisory.
5.1.2 The advisory information on tropical cyclones shall be in accordance with the
template shown in Table A2-2.
5.1.3 Recommendation.— The tropical cyclone advisory information listed in Table
A2-2, when prepared in graphical format, should be as specified in Appendix 1 and
issued using:
a) the portable network graphics (PNG) format; or
b) the BUFR code form, when exchanged in binary format.
Note.— The BUFR code form is contained in WMO Publication No. 306, Manual on
Codes, Volume I.2, Part B — Binary Codes.
Example of Tropical Cyclone Advisory (TCA) from TCAC
Detailed format is defined in ICAO Annex 3 Appendix 2 Section 5 and
Table A2-2 Template for advisory message for tropical cyclone
SIGMET information as required in ICAO Annex 3
7.1 SIGMET information (continued)
7.1.4 Recommendation.— SIGMET messages concerning volcanic ash cloud
and tropical cyclones should be based on advisory information provided by
VAACs and TCACs, respectively, designated by regional air navigation
agreement.
7.1.5 Close coordination shall be maintained between the meteorological
watch office and the associated area control centre/flight information centre to
ensure that information on volcanic ash included in SIGMET and NOTAM
messages is consistent.
7.1.6 SIGMET messages shall be issued not more than 4 hours before the
commencement of the period of validity. In the special case of SIGMET
messages for volcanic ash cloud and tropical cyclones, these messages shall be
issued as soon as practicable but not more than 12 hours before the
commencement of the period of validity. SIGMET messages for volcanic ash
and tropical cyclones shall be updated at least every 6 hours.
Preparation of Tropical Cyclone SIGMET:
• based on observed/forecast position and intensity (max
wind) given in Tropical Cyclone Advisory, estimate the
time when TC entering into or leaving out of your FIR;
• work out validity period; OBS time & position; FCST
FCST time & position;
• based on radar and satellite images, or based on
graphical TCA, estimate the coverage of CB;
• tropical cyclone SIGMET can be worked out rather
straight forward.
TC SIGMET
Scenario A - TC currently outside
Piarco FIR and is expected to enter
into Piarco FIR at Tin within 12 hours
Scenario B - TC currently within
Piarco FIR and is expected to stay
within Piarco FIR at or before Tn + 6
hours
TC SIGMET
Scenario C - TC currently within Piarco
FIR and is expected to move out of
Piarco FIR at Tout before Tn + 6 hours
Scenario D - TC crossing Piarco FIR
(TC currently outside Piarco FIR and is
expected to enter into Piarco FIR at Tin
within 12 hours and to move out of
Piarco FIR at Tout before Tin + 6 hours)
TC SIGMET
Scenario A - TC currently outside
Piarco FIR and is expected to enter into
Piarco FIR at Tin within 12 hours
• Before the commencement of TC SIGMET, convection may
affect FIR or area of responsibility.
• In some states, SIGMET not yet valid will not be included in
VOLMET/D-VOLMET. The convection should be warned
by a convective SIGMET such as EMBD TS.
• When the TC SIGMET becomes valid, the convective
SIGMET may be cancelled.
TC SIGMET
Scenario C - TC currently
within Piarco FIR and is
expected to move out of Piarco
FIR at Tout before Tn + 6 hours
• Similarly, when TC moved out of FIR or area of
responsibility, convection would most likely affect FIR or
area of responsibility.
• The convection should be warned by a convective SIGMET
such as EMBD TS.
• When the TC SIGMET becomes invalid, the convective
SIGMET may be issued.
ICAO Annex 3 Appendix 6
SIGMET information concerning thunderstorms or a tropical cyclone
shall not include references to associated turbulence and icing.
Example of SIGMET information for severe turbulence
If tropical cyclone or thunderstorm SIGMET has been
issued for an area and a special air-report of turbulence
or icing within that area is received, then you may
consider the special air-report is covered by SIGMET,
even though turbulence or icing SIGMET is not issued
for that area.
• Example: • WCNU20 TNCC 042100
TNCC SIGMET 3 VALID 042100/050300 TNCC-
TNCC CURACAO FIR TC ERNESTO OBS AT 2100Z N1480 W07010 CB TOPS FL500 120NM FROM
CENTER MOV W 16 KT INTENSIFYING
FCST 0300Z TC CENTER N1510 W07180=
WC SIGMET
Procedures for preparing SIGMET information in SIGMET Guide
Scenario A: TC currently outside Piarco FIR is expected to enter into Piarco
FIR at Tin (within 12 hours)
Examples of WC SIGMET
A1-Weather Situation:
At around 20070814 2130 UTC, a tropical cyclone (without a name by that time) was
observed with location (centre) outside Piarco FIR (tropical depression). It was
expected that the tropical cyclone would (i) intensify into a tropical storm (i.e.,
maximum wind reaching 34 kt requirement) later and (ii) enter into Piarco FIR at
around 20070815 0500UTC (i.e., within 12 hours). By that time, a SIGMET for TS
(No.5, valid 142130/150130 ) had been issued to warn the widespread embedded
TS/CB clouds in the eastern area of Piarco FIR, which considered to be associated
with the TC.
Examples of WC SIGMET - continued
Answer A1:
WCCA31 TTPP 142134
TTZP SIGMET 6 VALID 150500/151100 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR TC NN FCST AT 0500Z N1200 W03830 CB TOP FL400 WI 330NM OF
CENTRE MOV W 25Kt INTSF
FCST 1100Z TC CENTRE N1200 W03903=
Data type: ? Country designator: CA
Bulletin number: 31 Location indicator of MWO: TTPP
Location indicator of Piarco FIR: TTZP Sequential No. before: 5
Issued time: 200708142134 UTC Forecast Tin: 200708150500 UTC
TC name: no name Forecast location (Tin): N1200, W03830
Level: CB TOP FL400 WI 330NM of CENTRE Movement: W, 25Kt
Intensity: intensifying Forecast location (Tin+6) : N1200, W03903
Structure of SIGMET:
WMO AHL:T1T2A1A2ii CCCC1 YYGGgg [CCx]
First Line:CCCC2 SIGMET [nn]n VALID YYGGgg/YYGGgg CCCC1-
Body Line:<CCCC2> <NAME> FIR TC <NAME> OBS[FCST] AT <TIME> <LOCATION>
<LEVEL> <MOVEMENT> <INTENSITY> <FORECAST> <TIME> TC CENTRE <POSITION>=
Examples of WC SIGMET - continued
A2-Weather Situation:
When the SIGMET 5 for thunderstrom was going to expire at 200708150130UTC,
update(extend) the SIGMET 5?
Data type: ? Country designator: CA
Bulletin number: 31 Location indicator of MWO: TTPP
Location indicator of PIARCO FIR: TTZP Sequential No. : ?
Forecast location : South OF N1500, East OF W039 Level: TOP FL400
Movement: W, 25Kt Intensity: intensifying
Structure of SIGMET :
WMO AHL:T1T2A1A2ii CCCC1 YYGGgg [CCx]
First Line:CCCC2 SIGMET [nn]n VALID YYGGgg/YYGGgg CCCC1-
Body Line:<CCCC2> <PHENOMENON> OBS[FCST] [AT <TIME>] <LOCATION> <LEVEL>
<MOVEMENT> <INTENSITY>=
Answer A2:
WSCA31 TTPP 150118
TTZP SIGMET 1 VALID 150120/150520 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR EMBD TS FCST S OF N1500 E OF W039 TOP FL400 MOV W 25Kt
INTSF=
Examples of WC SIGMET-continued
A3-Weather Situation:
Several hours later (150200 UTC), the situation remained more or less the same
(tropical cyclone outside PIARCO FIR) except that there were some adjustments in
forecast timing and position. Update the previous WC SIGMET (SIGMET 6)?
Data type: ? Country designator: CA
Bulletin number: 31 Location indicator of MWO: TTPP
Location indicator of PIARCO FIR: TTZP Sequential No. : ?
Forecast Tin: 15 0530 UTC TC name: no name
Forecast location (Tin) : N1220, W03920 Level: CB TOP FL400 WI 300NM of CENTRE
Movement: W, 20Kt Intensity: intensifying
Forecast location (Tin+6) : N1230, W03950
Structure of SIGMET :
WMO AHL:T1T2A1A2ii CCCC1 YYGGgg [CCx]
First Line:CCCC2 SIGMET [nn]n VALID YYGGgg/YYGGgg CCCC1-
Body Line:<CCCC2> <NAME> FIR TC <NAME> OBS[FCST] AT <TIME> <LOCATION>
<LEVEL> <MOVEMENT> <INTENSITY> <FORECAST> <TIME> TC CENTRE <POSITION>=
Answer A3:
WCCA31 TTPP 150200
TTZP SIGMET 2 VALID 150530/151130 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR TC NN FCST AT 0530Z N1220 W03920 CB TOP FL400 WI 180NM OF
CENTRE MOV W 10KT INTSF FCST 1130Z TC CENTRE N1230 W03950=
Examples of WC SIGMET - continued
A4-Weather Situation:
Due to the adjustment of TC forecast position, the WS SIGMET 1 for
thunderstorm was also necessary to update.
Data type: ? Country designator: CA
Bulletin number: 31 Location indicator of MWO: TTPP
Location indicator of Piarco FIR: TTZP Sequential No. : ?
Start of Validity: 150315UTC Forecast location : South OF N1530, East OF W03920
Level: TOP FL400 Movement: W, 20Kt
Intensity: intensifying
Structure of SIGMET :
WMO AHL:T1T2A1A2ii CCCC1 YYGGgg [CCx]
First Line:CCCC2 SIGMET [nn]n VALID YYGGgg/YYGGgg CCCC1-
Body Line:<CCCC2> <PHENOMENON> OBS[FCST] [AT <TIME>] <LOCATION> <LEVEL>
<MOVEMENT> <INTENSITY>=
Answer A4:
WSCA31 TTPP 150313
TTZP SIGMET 3 VALID 150315/150715 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR EMBD TS FCST S OF N1530 E OF W03920 TOP FL400 MOV W 20Kt
INTSF=
Scenario B: TC currently within PIARCO FIR and is expected to stay within
PIARCO FIR at or before Tn + 6 hours
Examples of WC SIGMET -continued
B1-Weather Situation:
At around 20070415 0340UTC, it was confirmed that the tropical cyclone had
already been intensified into a tropical storm (given name: DEAN) and entered
into PIARCO FIR at around 0300UTC. Should the previous WC SIGMET
(SIGMET 2) be updated immediately? Or should SIGMET 3 be cancelled first?
Examples of WC SIGMET - continued
Answer B1:
WCCA31 TTPP 150340
TTZP SIGMET 4 VALID 150340/150900 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR TC DEAN OBS AT 0300Z N1210 W03900 CB TOP FL400 WI 330NM OF
CENTRE MOV W 25Kt NC FCST 0900Z TC CENTRE N1210 W03920=
Data type: ? Country designator: CA
Bulletin number: 31 Location indicator of MWO: TTPP
Location indicator of PIARCO FIR: TTZP Sequential No. : ?
Observed: At around 200715 0300 UTC Confirmed time: 200715 0340 UTC
TC name: DEAN Forecast location (Tobs) 1: N1210, W03900
Level: CB TOP FL400 WI 330NM of CENTRE Movement: W, 25Kt
Intensity: No change Forecast location (Tobs+6) 2: N1210, W03920
Structure of SIGMET :
WMO AHL:T1T2A1A2ii CCCC1 YYGGgg [CCx]
First Line:CCCC2 SIGMET [nn]n VALID YYGGgg/YYGGgg CCCC1-
Body Line:<CCCC2> <NAME> FIR TC <NAME> OBS[FCST] AT <TIME> <LOCATION>
<LEVEL> <MOVEMENT> <INTENSITY> <FORECAST> <TIME> TC CENTRE <POSITION>=
Notes/ Questions and Answers
SIGMET 4 was issued at 0340UTC but the observation time was 0300UTC. Why?
A number of factors, such as radar/satellite images, Dvorak analysis, wind
reports, etc., had to be taken into account to fix the location as well as the
intensity of tropical cyclone. This took some time.
During the gap period of 40 minutes (observation time at 0300UTC and commencement of validity period at 0340UTC of SIGMET 4), there would be no valid WC SIGMET to warn tropical cyclone (SIGMET 2 has not become valid yet). Would this be a problem?
The hazardous weather brought by tropical cyclone should be the CB
clouds which should have been covered by WS SIGMET 3.
• Does SIGMET 4 cover the widespread thunderstorms/CB clouds given in SIGMET 3? And what should be done? Cancel SIGMET 3?
Examples of WC SIGMET -continued
Answer A4:
WSCA31 TTPP 150313
TTZP SIGMET 3 VALID 150315/150715 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR EMBD TS FCST S OF N1530 E OF W03920 TOP FL400 MOV W 20KMH
INTSF=
Answer B1:
WCCA31 TTPP 150340
TTZP SIGMET 4 VALID 150340/150900 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR TC DEAN OBS AT 0300Z N1210 W03900 CB TOP FL400 WI 330KM OF
CENTRE MOV W 25KMH NC FCST 0900Z TC CENTRE N1210 W03920=
• Cancel SIGMET 3
Examples of WC SIGMET -continued
Answer B2:
WSCA31 TTPP 150344
TTZP SIGMET 5 VALID 150344/150715 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR CNL SIGMET 3 150315/150715=
Answer B1:
WCCA31 TTPP 150340
TTZP SIGMET 4 VALID 150340/150900 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR TC DEAN OBS AT 0300Z N1210 W03900 CB TOP FL400 WI 330KM OF
CENTRE MOV W 25KMH NC FCST 0900Z TC CENTRE N1210 W03920=
Answer A4:
WSCA31 TTPP 150313
TTZP SIGMET 3 VALID 150315/150715 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR EMBD TS FCST S OF N1530 E OF W03920 TOP FL400 MOV W 20KMH
INTSF=
Scenario C: TC currently within PIARCO FIR and is expected to move out
of PIARCO FIR at Tout before Tn + 6 hours
Examples of WC SIGMET -continued
C1-Weather Situation:
At around 20070817 0040UTC, the tropical cyclone was expected to move out of
the PIARCO FIR at around 20070817 0300UTC. The following SIGMET was
issued with a shorter validity period ending at 0300UTC.
Data type: WC Country designator: CA
Bulletin number: 31 Location indicator of MWO: TTPP
Location indicator of PIARCO FIR: TTZP Sequential No. : ?
Observed: 17 0000 UTC Confirmed time: 17 0040 UTC
Forecast Tout: 17 0300 UTC TC name: DEAN
Forecast location (Tobs) : N1500, W06424
Level: CB TOP FL400 WI 330NM of CENTRE Movement: WNW, 20Kt
Intensity: No Change Forecast location (Tout): N1530, W06530
Structure of SIGMET :
WMO AHL:T1T2A1A2ii CCCC1 YYGGgg [CCx]
First Line:CCCC2 SIGMET [nn]n VALID YYGGgg/YYGGgg CCCC1-
Body Line:<CCCC2> <NAME> FIR TC <NAME> OBS[FCST] AT <TIME> <LOCATION>
<LEVEL> <MOVEMENT> <INTENSITY> <FORECAST> <TIME> TC CENTRE <POSITION>=
Answer C1:
WCCA31 TTPP 170040
TTZP SIGMET 1 VALID 170040/170300 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR TC DEAN OBS AT 0000Z N1500 W06424 CB TOP FL400 WI 330NM OF
CENTRE MOV NW 20Kt NC FCST 0300Z TC CENTRE N1530 W06530=
Examples of WC SIGMET - continued
Examples of WC SIGMET - continued
C2-Weather Situation:
The TC moved out of PIARCO FIR at 0300UTC. When the WC SIGMET 1
became invalid (after 0300UTC ), there were widespread thunderstorms/CB
clouds continuing to affect PIARCO FIR. What should be done?
Data type: ? Country designator: CA
Bulletin number: 31 Location indicator of MWO: TTPP
Location indicator of PIARCO FIR: TTZP Sequential No. : ?
Start of Validity: 170250UTC Forecast location : North OF N1500, East OF W06500
Level: TOP FL380 Movement: NW, 20Kt
Intensity: weakening
Answer A4:
WSCA31 TTPP 170248
TTZP SIGMET 2 VALID 170250/170650 TTPP-
TTZP PIARCO FIR EMBD TS FCST N OF N1800 E OF E10810 TOP FL380 MOV NNW 20Kt
WKN=
Structure of SIGMET :
WMO AHL:T1T2A1A2ii CCCC1 YYGGgg [CCx]
First Line:CCCC2 SIGMET [nn]n VALID YYGGgg/YYGGgg CCCC1-
Body Line:<CCCC2> <PHENOMENON> OBS[FCST] [AT <TIME>] <LOCATION> <LEVEL>
<MOVEMENT> <INTENSITY>=
Significant weather (SIGWX) Chart
ICAO Annex 3 Appendix 2
1.3.3 Items included in SIGWX forecasts
SIGWX forecasts shall include the following items:
a) tropical cyclone provided that the maximum of the 10-minute mean surface
wind speed is expected to reach or exceed 17 m/s (34 kt);
......