Meteorology
Meteorology covers atmosphere, pressure, temperature, wind, clouds, stability, icing, thunderstorms, turbulence, visibility and the coded reports used in Kuwait and the region. The exam expects accurate METAR/TAF decoding and recognition of hazardous weather.
Core weather
- Pressure decreases with height; QNH is the altimeter setting that gives elevation above mean sea level. QFE gives height above a specific datum.
- Stability determines cloud type: unstable air favours cumuliform cloud, showers and turbulence; stable air favours stratiform cloud and steady precipitation.
- Icing requires supercooled water; it is most likely in stratiform cloud at temperatures near 0°C to about −15°C.
- Thunderstorms bring hail, lightning, microbursts, wind shear and severe turbulence. Avoid the cell by a safe margin.
- Kuwait experiences extreme summer heat, dust and haze, and winter thunderstorms or shamal winds that reduce visibility.
Worked example
METAR OKBK 121200Z 33012KT 3000 BLDU SCT040 44/08 Q1002 NOSIG. Decode: 12th at 1200 UTC; wind 330° at 12 kt; visibility 3,000 m in blowing dust; scattered cloud at 4,000 ft; temperature 44°C, dew point 8°C; QNH 1002 hPa; no significant change expected. The visibility and dust are operationally significant even though no thunderstorm is reported.
Traps
Reading 3000 as feet instead of metres; using QFE for an MSL altitude; assuming NOSIG means no weather hazard; and ignoring wind shear or dust when decoding a seemingly simple METAR.