Introduction

This guide explains the NWC SAF products from a practical point of view, when used in an aeronautic forecasting environment. It should be useful for aeronautic forecasters and aviation users. The main objective of this guide is to highlight the main meteorological phenomenons which are harmful to aviation and how to use each NWC SAF product to detect them, as well as its limitations. 

Fog

Phenomena Product Meteorological Context

Fog

CT/CMIC/CTTH

Diagnose cloud characteristics, top height and liquid content.

 

 

Icing

Phenomena Product Meteorological Context

Icing

RDT 

Screens which storms have high-altitude icing risk associated.

CTTH/CMIC

Combined cloud top temperature and phase can diagnose classical icing.

CRR

As heavy rain comes from cumulonimbus and towering cumulus it gives an idea of areas of possible icing associated with these clouds.

 

 

Dust & Volcanic ash

Phenomena Product Meteorological Context

Dust and Volcanic ash

CMA

Diagnoses thick dust events or significant volcanic eruptions.

 

 

Storms & Convection

Phenomena Product Meteorological Context

Storms and Convection

CMIC

Identification of cloud top glaciation.

CRR

Diagnoses rainfall associated with convection.

CI

Probability for a cloudy pixel to become a thunderstorm.

iSHAI

Diagnoses instability indexes, moisture and deviations against NWP.

RDT

Information and trajectory forecast on clouds related to significant convective systems: extension, overshooting tops, high icing.

 

 

Turbulence

Phenomena Product Meteorological Context

Turbulence

RDT

Turbulence associated with developed storms.

HRW

Turbulence associated with high wind shear and high wind speed.

ASII-TF

Turbulence associated with tropopause folds.

ASII-GW

Context where turbulence can appear, if the gravity waves break.

CRR

As heavy rain comes from cumulonimbus and towering cumulus it gives an idea of areas of turbulence associated with these clouds.

 

Wind

Phenomena Product Meteorological Context

Wind

HRW

Warning of dangerous wind situations.

Monitoring of wind convergence/divergence.

Monitoring of the general atmospheric flow, of small scale circulation and of wind singularities at the different pressure/flight levels.