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UAE ( 8 airports )
(ICAO)(IATA)(Airport Name)
OMAAAUHAbu Dhabi International Airport
OMALAANAl Ain International Airport
OMDBDXBDubai International Airport
OMSJSHJSharjah International Airport
OMRKRKTRas Al Khaimah International Airport
OMFJFJRFujairah International Airport
OMADAZIAl Bateen Airport - Abu Dhabi
OMDWDWCAl Maktoum International Airport - Dubai World Central


ABBREVIATIONS for ( A )
ABT - About
ABV - Above
AC - Altocumulus cloud
ACC - Altocumulus Castellanus cloud
ACFT - Aircraft
ACLT - Accelerate
ACPT - Accept
ACPY - Accompany
ACRDG - According
ACRS - Across
ACT - Active
ACYC - Anticylonic
AD - Aerodrome
ADJ - Adjacent
ADVN - Advance
ADVCTN - Advection
ADZ - Advise
ADZRY - Advisory
AFCTG - Affecting
AFL - Above Freezing Layer
AFT - After
AFTN - Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network
AFTN - Afternoon
AG - Above Ground
AGL - Above Ground Level
AIREP - Air Report
ALT - Altitude
ALTN - Alternate
ALTM - Altimeter
AMD - Ammended (used in TAF reports)
AMT - Amount
AMSL - Above Mean Sea Level
AMP - Amplify
ANTCPT - Anticipate
APPR - Appear
APRX - Approximate
ARND - Around
ARTC - Arctic
AS - Altostratus cloud
ASL - Above Sea Level
ASNT - Ascent
ASOCTD - Associated
ATLC - Atlantic
ATMOS - Atmosphere
AURBO - Aurora Borealis
AVG - Average
AVTN - Aviation
AWOS - Automated Weather Observing System
  •  Station Location CCCC - This represents the four-letter ICAO identifier where the weather was observed.
  •  Observation Time DDhhmmZ - The UTC time the observation was taken where (DD) is the calendar day, (hh) is the hour, and (mm) is the minute.(Z) stands for Zulu or UTC time.
  •  Auto Flag AUTO - indicates that the observation came from automatic station or machine.
  •  Surface Wind dddff - The wind direction in degrees (ddd) and wind speed (ff). If the winds are gusting, the format will be (dddffGgg) where gg is the gust speed. The group is always appended with the speed units: KT (knots), MPS (meter per seconds) or KMH (kilometers per hour). If the wind direction will be variable, ddd is encoded as VRB. Calm winds (3 knots or less) are encoded as 00000KT.
  •  Prevaling Visibility PV - Aerodrome visibility, defined as the greatest distance at which an object can be seen. When the visibility varies in different directions, the lowest visibility is used. Always ends with (SM) statute miles or nothing if (m) meters.
  •  Runway Visual Range (if required) RVR - Defined as the distance over which a pilot of an aircraft on the centreline of the runway can see the runway surface markings delineating the runway or identifying its centre line (wikipedia). RVR is usually reported in meters.
  •  Weather ww - A two letter standard abbreviation, see Table 1. below for the current weather appearing at the station. The term CAVOK (Ceiling and Visibility OK) replaces visibility, weather and cloud when the following conditions are met: a.) visibility is greater than or equal to 10km and there's no cloud below 5000ft (1500m) b.) No CB or Cumulonimbus cloud present, No precipitation or any other weather such as SS, FG, etc.
  • Table 1. WMO Code table 4678 for Significant weather list:

    INTENSITY DESCRIPTION PRECIPITATION OBSCURATION OTHER
    (MI) Shallow (DZ) Drizzle (FG) Fog
    (PR) Partial (RA) Rain (BR) Mist (PO) Dust/Sand Whirls
    (-) Light (BC) Patches (SN) Snow (FU) Smoke (SQ) Squalls
    (no sign) Moderate (DR) Low Drifting (SG) Snow Grains (VA) Volcanic Ash (FC) Funnel Cloud, Tornado, Waterspout
    (+) Heavy (BL) Blowing (IC) Ice Crystals (DU) Dust (SS) Sandstorm
    (VC) Vicinity (SH) Showers (PL) Ice Pellets (SA) Sand (DS) Duststorm
    (TS) Thundershowers (GR) Hail (HZ) Haze
    (GS) Small Hail (PY) Spray
  •  Cloud Condition CCCHHH - Assigned for each layer of cloud. Consists of Cloud amount or cloud cover (CCC) and height in hundreds of feet (HHH) see Table 2. for descriptors. The term NSC (Nil or No Significant Cloud) is used when there's no cloud and CAVOK is not appropriate. When the sky is obscured and cloud details cannot be assessed, (CCC) will be encoded as VV for Vertical Visibility and the (HHH) value will indicate the visibility into the obscuration.
  • Table 2. Descriptors for Clouds:

    DESCRIPTOR OKTAS
    FEW (Few) 1 - 2 Oktas
    SCT (Scattered) 3 - 4 Oktas
    BKN (Broken) 5 - 7 Oktas
    OVC (Overcast) 8 Oktas
  •  Temperature/Dewpoint tt/td - Then temperature (tt) and dewpoint in degrees Celsius. If values are negative, it is preceded by an (M).
  •  Pressure P - This starts with (Q) which indicates sea-level pressure with the value in whole millibars (mB).
  •  Pressure in Inches A - (OPTIONAL) This starts with (A) which indicates altimeter setting with the value in hundreds of inches.
  •  Remarks RMK - It indicates any supplementary information.
  •  End of message = - Equal (=) sign should be appended at the end to indicate the end of message.

Example 1: METAR for OMAA and OMDB (mouseover on each METAR to view decoded message)

METAR OMAA 020100Z 11002KT 0400 R13/0650 R31/0375 FG VV/// 15/14 Q1012 A2989=

METAR OMDB 180800Z 32004KT 280V010 CAVOK 37/08 Q1010 A2983=


Example 2: METAR for OOMS, OEDF and OTBD

METAR OOMS 140700Z VRB03KT 8000 NSC 36/17 Q1009 NOSIG=

METAR OEDF 051100Z 04020G30KT 7000 SCT045 29/14 Q1009 NOSIG=

METAR OTDB 051100Z 04010KT 9999 SCT030 FEW040CB SCT100 30/22 Q1008=

  •  Station Location CCCC - This represents the four-letter ICAO identifier where the forecast weather will occur.
  •  Issuance Time DDhhmmZ - The UTC time the forecast was issued, where (DD) is the calendar day, (hh) is the hour, and (mm) is the minute. (Z) stands for Zulu or UTC time.
  •  Forecast or Validity Period DDHHEE - The UTC time of the the forecast period, where (DD) is the calendar day followed by two-digit beginning hour (HH) then two-digit ending hour (EE) usually on the next day. TAFs are valid for 30 hours and are issued evert 6 hours.
  •  Meteorological Conditions Wind » Visibility » Weather » Clouds » Optional data(Wind Shear) - This is the body of the message. Wind, visibility, weather, and clouds or sky condition are part of the initial group forecast. Weather is included only in the initial group when it is significant to aviation. The coding for this group is the same as METAR message. Wind Shear is entered after the sky condition when wind shear is expected. The general format for this would be (WShhh/dddff) where (hhh) is the height of the wind shear followed by wind direction (ddd) and wind speed (ff) at the indicated height.
  • Transition Identifiers - New groups of weather conditions that will occur.
  •  FROM Group FM hhmm - indicates a significant change will take place at hour (hh) and minute (mm).
     TEMPO Group TEMPO hhee - indicates a temporary condition (less than half the period) changes in weather between hour (hh) and (ee) hours.
     BECMG Group BECMG hhee - indicates a gradual change in weather between between hour (hh) and (ee) hours.
     PROB Group PROBpp hhee - indicates a temporary condition with a probability value (pp) percent between (hh) and (ee) hours.
  •  End of message = - Equal (=) sign should be appended at the end to indicate the end of message.

Example 1: TAF for OMAA (mouseover on each TAF to view decoded message)

TAF OMAA 140500Z 1406/1512 17006KT 8000 FEW030
BECMG 1406/1408 35012KT
BECMG 1415/1417 24006KT
TEMPO 1500/1504 VRB03KT 4000 HZ BKN006
BECMG 1505/1507 33012KT=


Example 2: TAF for OMAL

TAF OMAL 200500Z 2006/2112 30014KT 7000 NSC
PROB40 2008/2011 32018G28KT 3000 BLDU
BECMG 2016/2018 23005KT
PROB30 2101/2103 4000 HZ
BECMG 2108/2110 30012KT=


WIND DIRECTIONS
Wind direction reported as 360 compass degree. Example (North = 0° or 360°) and (South = 180°)
SYMBOL (SPEED) SYMBOL (SPEED) SYMBOL (SPEED)
(Calm or 0-2 Knots) (23 - 27 Knots) (48 - 52 Knots)
(3 - 7 knots) (28 - 32 Knots) (53 - 57 Knots)
(8 - 12 knots) (33 - 37 Knots) (58 - 62 Knots)
(13 - 17 knots) (38 - 42 Knots) (63 - 67 Knots)
(18 - 22 knots) (43 - 47 Knots) (98 - 102 Knots)
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Code#SymbolDescription
00Cloud development NOT observed or NOT observable during past hour (not plotted).
01Clouds generally dissolving or becoming less developed during past hour (not plotted).
02State of sky on the whole unchanged during past hour (not plotted).
03Clouds generally forming or developing during past hour (not plotted).
04Visibility reduced by smoke.
05Haze.
06Widespread dust in suspension in the air, not raised by wind at or near the station at the time of observation.
07Dust or sand raised by the wind at or near the station at the time of the observation, but no well-developed dust whirl(s), and no sandstorm seen: or, in the case of ships, blowing spray at the station.
08Well developed dust whirl(s) or sand whirl(s) seen at or near the station during the preceding hour or at the time of observation, but no dust storm or sandstorm
09Dust storm or sandstorm within sight at the time of observation, or at the station during the preceding hour
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LOW LEVEL CLOUDS  (CL)

Code#SymbolSpecificationDescription
0No CL clouds.No Stratocumulus, Stratus, Cumulus or Cumulonimbus.
1Cumulus humillis or Cumulus fractus other than of bad weather, or both.Cumulus with little vertical extent and seemingly flattered, or ragged Cumulus other than of bad weather, or both.
2Cumulus mediocris or congestus, with or without Cumulus or species fractus or humillis or Stratocumulus, all having their bases at the same level.Cumulus of moderate or strong vertical extent, generally with protuberances in the form of domes or towers, either accompanied or not by other Cumulus or by Stratocumulus, all having their bases at the same level.
3Cumulonimbus calvus, with or without Cumulus, Stratocumulus or Stratus.Cumulonimbus the summits of which, at least partially, lack sharp outlines, but are neither clearly fibrous (cirriform) nor in the form of an anvil; Cumulus, Stratocumulus or Stratus may also be present.
4Stratocumulus cumulogenitus.Stratocumulus formed by the spreading out of Cumulus, Cumulus may also be present.
5Stratocumulus other than Stratocumulus cumulogenitus.Stratocumulus not resulting from the spreading out of Cumulus.
6Stratus nebulosus or Stratus fractus other than of bad weather, or both.Stratus in a more or less continuous sheet or layer, or in ragged shreds, or both, but no Stratus fractus of bad weather.
7Stratus fractus or Cumulus fractus of bad weather, or both (pennus) usually below Altostratus or Nimbostratus.Stratus fractus of bad weather or Cumulus fractus of bad weather, or both (pannus), usually below Altostratus or Nimbostratus.
8Cumulus and Stratocumulus other than Stratocumulus cumulogenitus, with bases at different levels.Cumulus and Stratocumulus other than that formed from the spreading out of Cumulus; the base of the Cumulus is at a different level from that of the Stratocumulus.
9Cumulonimbus capillatus (often with an anvil), with or without Cumulonimbus calvus, Cumulus, Stratocumulus, Stratus or pannus.Cumulonimbus, the upper part of which is clearly fibrous (cirriform), often in the form of an anvil; whether accompanied or not by Cumulonimbus without anvil or fibrous upper part, by Cumulus, Stratocumulus, Stratus or pannus.
/CL clouds invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust or sand, or other similar phenomena.Stratocumulus, Stratus Cumulus and Cumulonimbus invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust or sand, or other similar phenomena.


MEDIUM LEVEL CLOUDS  (CM)

Code#SymbolSpecificationDescription
0No CM clouds.No Altocumulus, Altostratus or Nimbostratus.
1Altostratus translucidus.Altostratus, the greater part of which is semi-transparent; through this part the sun or moon may be weekly visible, as through ground glass.
2Altocumulus opacus or Nimbostratus.Altostratus, the greater part of which is sufficiently dense to hide the sun or moon, or Nimbostratus.
3Altocumulus translucidus at a single level.Altocumulus, the greater part of which is semi-transparent, the various elements of the cloud change only slowly and are all at a single level.
4Patches (often lenticular) of Altocumulus translucidus, continually changing and occurring at one or more levels.Patches (often in the form of almonds or fish) of Altocumulus, the greater part of which is semi-transparent; the clouds occur at one or more levels and the elements are continually changing in appearance.
5Altocumulus translucidus in bands, or one or more layers of Altocumulus translucidus or opacus, progressively invading the sky; these Altocumulus clouds generally thicken as a whole.Semi-transparent Altocumulus in bands, or Altocumulus, in one ore more fairly continuous layer (semi-transparent or opaque), progressively invading the sky; these Altocumulus clouds generally thicken as a whole.
6Altocumulus cumulogenitus (or cumulonimbogenitus).Altocumulus resulting from the spreading out of Cumulus (or Cumulonimbus).
7Altocumulus translucidus or opacus in two or more layers, or Altocumulus opacus in a single layer, not progressively invading the sky, or Altocumulus with Altostratus or Nimbostratus.Altocumulus in two or more layers, usually opaque in places, and not progressively invading the sky; or opaque layer of Altocumulus, not progressively invading the sky; or Altocumulus together with Altostratus or Nimbostratus.
8Altocumulus castellanus or floccus.Altocumulus with sproutings in the form of small towers or battlements, or Altocumulus having the appearance of cumuliform tufts.
9Altocumulus or a chaotic sky, generally at several layers.Altocumulus or a chaotic sky, generally at several layers.
/CM clouds invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust or sand, or other similar phenomena or because of continuous layer of lower clouds.Altocumulus, Altostratus and Nimbostratus invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust or sand, or other similar phenomena, or more often because of the presence of a continuous layer of lower clouds.


HIGH LEVEL CLOUDS  (CH)

Code#SymbolSpecificationDescription
0No CH clouds.No Cirrus, Cirrocumulus and Cirrostratus.
1Cirrus fibratus, sometimes uncinus, not progressively invading the sky.Cirrus in the form of filaments, strands or hooks, not progressively invading the sky.
2Cirrus spissatus, in patches or entangled sheaves, which usually do not increase and sometimes seem to be the remains of the upper part of a Cumulonimbus; or Cirrus castellenus or floccus.Dense Cirrus, in patches or entangled sheaves, which usually do not increase and sometime seem to be the remains of the upper part of a Cumulonimbus; or Cirrus with sproutings in the form of small turrets or battlements, or Cirrus having the appearance of cumuliform tufts.
3Cirrus spissatus cumulonimbogenitus.Dense Cirrus, often in the form of an anvil, being the remains of the upper parts of Cumulonimbus.
4Cirrus uncinus of fibratus, or both, progressively invading the sky; they generally thickens as a whole.Cirrus in the form of hooks or of filaments, or both, progressively invading the sky; they generally become denser as a whole.
5Cirrus (often in bands) and Cirrostratus, or Cirrostratus alone, progressively invading the sky; they generally thicken as whole, but the continuous veil does not reach 45 degrees above the horizon .Cirrus (often in bands converging towards one point or two opposite points of the horizon) and Cirrostratus, or Cirrostratus alone; in either case, they are progressively invading the sky and generally growing denser as a whole, but the continuous veil does not reach 45° above the horizon.
6Cirrus (often in bands) and Cirrostratus, or Cirrostratus alone, progressively invading the sky; they generally thicken as whole, the continuous veil extends more than 45 degrees above the horizon, without the sky being totally covered.Cirrus (often in bands converging towards one point or two opposite points of the horizon) and Cirrostratus, or Cirrostratus alone; in either case, they are progressively invading thesky and generally growing denser as a whole, the continuous veil extends more than 45° above the horizon, without the sky being totally covered.
7Cirrostratus covering the whole sky.Veil of the Cirrostratus covering the celestial dome.
8Cirrostratus not progressively invading the sky and not entirely covering it.Cirrostratus not progressively invading the sky and not entirely covering the celestial dome.
9Cirrocumulus alone, or Cirrocumulus predominant among the CH clouds.Cirrocumulus alone, or Cirrocumulus accompanied by Cirrus or Cirrostratus, or both, but Cirrocumulus is predominant.
/CH clouds invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust or sand, or other similar phenomena or because of continuous layer of lower clouds.Cirrus, Cirrocumulus and Cirrostratus invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust or sand, or other similar phenomena, or more often because of the presence of a continuous layer of lower clouds.
Common types of Wind Shear in UAE:
  •  Sea Breeze Wind Shear
  •  Sea Breeze Front Wind Shear
  •  Shamal/Land Breeze Wind Shear
  •  Low Level Jet Wind Shear
  •  Very Low Level Dubai Shear
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Windshear1
Sea Breeze Wind Shear
2 / 5
Windshear2
Sea Breeze Front Wind Shear
3 / 5
Windshear3
Shamal/Land Breeze Wind Shear
4 / 5
Windshear4
Low Level Jet Wind Shear
5 / 5
Windshear5
Very Low Level Dubai Shear



Multiple methods exist to observe wind shear:

  1. Pilot Reports

    This is the most common way for wind shear to be observed. It is very important that when these observations are taken by the pilot and passed to ATC they are done in a structured/informative manner as defined by ICAO to allow the ATC to pass this information to other pilots and the NCM meteorological office. The GCAA has recently issue a safety bulletin on this subject.
  2. Radiosondes

    Once every 12 hours a balloon with measurement equipment attached is released over Abu Dhabi airport. These radiosondes measure the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature and humidity up to 50,000 ft. The lowest measurement available is commonly 1000 ft so sometimes this technology can identify the low level wind shear and sometimes not. Only two single measurements in a day is not the best way to identify quickly changing wind shear conditions.
  3. Aircraft Data

    Most modern aircraft measure and record winds and temperature through their flight. The data from all arriving and departing Etihad A330s and A320 aircraft are automatically downloaded and sent to the NCM weather office at Abu Dhabi in near real time. This aircraft data is decoded and automatically analysed for shear at the weather office.
  4. Wind Profiler

    Wind Profilers are installed at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports. These profilers actively measures the winds in the lower 5000 ft of the atmosphere, the lowest measurement being near 500 ft. The wind profile is updated every 5 minutes. The software associated with this system automatically identifies areas of shear in the atmosphere. This methodology allows for the most of lower atmospheric data to be sent to the meteorologists, however the data is only at the location directly over the profiler.
  5. Doppler Weather Radar

    Rain contaminated winds can be ‘seen’ by doppler weather radar. Wind Shear typically can be seen in thunderstorms by weather radars but not other wind shear producing phenomena as no rain is present.
  6. LiDAR

    Light Detection and Ranging.

Observations available per Abu Dhabi Emirate Airport:

( Abu Dhabi International )
  • Pilot Report
  • Radiosonde
  • Aircraft Data
  • Wind Profiler
  • Doppler Weather Radar
( Al Ain International )
  • Pilot Report
  • Doppler Weather Radar
( Al Bateen Executive )
  • Pilot Report
  • Doppler Weather Radar

Observations available per Dubai Emirate Airport:

( Dubai International )
  • Pilot Report
  • Radiosonde
  • Aircraft Data (later this year)
  • Wind Profiler
  • Doppler Weather Radar
( Al Maktoum International )
  • Pilot Report
  • Doppler Weather Radar

An example of our current WS warning:

WS IN APCH AND CLIMB-OUT ALL RWY

FCST

SFC WIND 340/10KT

1500FT WIND 350/25KT

A template example of our proposed new WS warning:

OMAA

WS WRNG 1

Datetime VALID TL Datetime

WS [IN APCH][IN CLIMB-OUT] [DUE TO][SEA BREEZE][SEA BREEZE FRONT][LOW LEVEL JET][LAND BREEZE][TS]

[REP AT 0000 Airplane Type][OBS AT 0000][FCST]

[Speed in kts][LOSS][GAIN][RWY xx]

* Brackets in [RED] are non standard new information.

Example #1 proposed new WS Warning

OMAA

WS WRNG 1

211230 VALID TL 211330

WS DUE TO SEA BREEZE

OBS AT 1228

30 KT GAIN RWY 31

Example #2 proposed new WS Warning

OMDB

WS WRNG 1

211230 VALID TL 211330

WS IN APCH DUE TO SEA BREEZE FRONT

FCST

25 KT GAIN RWY 13

Example #3 proposed new WS Warning

OMAA

WS WRNG 1

211230 VALID TL 211330

WS DUE TO LAND BREEZE

REP AT 1225 B747

40 KT LOSS RWY 13

*Updated: 19/12/2018