Surface Analysis Charts

METEOROLOGY FLIGHT PLANNING

CHAPTER TWO

204.

SURFACE ANALYSIS CHARTS

Weather forecasting, to a great extent, is dependent on weather charts showing the weather, its

development, and movement from place to place. Regular scheduled observations (METAR) are

taken throughout the world at selected times and compiled by computer at the Suitland, Maryland

Weather Bureau Center. The computers analyze this information and produce a number of

products, including the Surface Analysis Chart, which are transmitted to subscribers throughout

the world.

At weather offices, two types of Surface Analysis Charts may be displayed. One is a

computerized Surface Analysis Chart usually displayed on a computer monitor, or printed out

and posted near the briefing desk. The other version is a less-common, locally prepared product

drawn and plotted by hand.

The Surface Analysis Chart is used by pilots to obtain an overall facsimile picture of observed

weather, including the location of pressure systems, winds, air masses, and fronts, in relation to

their planned flight route (Figure 2-1). At this point, each of these features should be familiar

from previous meteorology classes.

Figure 2-1 Surface Analysis Chart

The information displayed on the Surface Analysis Chart is observed weather, meaning the chart

represents past history, and is not a forecast. The valid time (VT) of the chart is located in the

lower left-hand corner. This is given in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and is the

observation time of the information gathered to compile the chart.

DATA DISPLAYED ON WEATHER IMAGERY PRODUCTS

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