As the U.S. and the FAA move to bring certain segments of our weather forecasting into closer alignment with the International Civil Aviation Organization formats, more than just the order of the reports will change. In some cases, the abbreviations, those familiar anacronyms we’ve grown used to will also be changing. For example, SMK is the current abbreviation for smoke. After June 1st SMK is out and FU is in.
Are you ready to match wits with the ICAO? On the left are current and/or new abbreviations used in aviation weather reporting. On the right are definitions for these abbreviations. See how many you can match correctly.
BR Shallow SS Variable Wind PY Mist WS Broken VRB Partial AMD Spray BKN Hail FQT Sandstorm PR Wind shear BC Amended Forecast GR Patches -SHRA Not Available NO Light Rain Showers SPECI Special Report MI FrequentGive yourself 2 points for each correct answer with a perfect score being 30. Then see where you rate according to the following scale:
28-30 pts. Weather Wizard 24-26pts. Prognosticator 20-22pts. Observer less than 20 pts. In a Fog
Answers: BR-Mist, SS-Sandstorm, PY-Spray, WS-Windshear, VRB-Variable Wind, AMD- Amended Forecast, BKN-broken, FQT-frequent, PR-partial, BC-patches, GR- Hail, -SHRA-light rain showers, NO-not available, SPECI-special report, MI- shallow.