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Quizzes > Science

Aviation Weather Quiz: METAR, TAF, and Charts

Quick, free pilot weather test: 15 questions, instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Aashiq ShajahanUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting a quiz on Aviation Weather Proficiency

This aviation weather quiz helps you read METARs and TAFs, interpret charts, and spot hazards for safer flights. Answer 15 multiple-choice questions and get instant feedback. Then broaden your skills with an aviation knowledge quiz, explore tools in a weather instruments quiz, or test basics with weather trivia.

In a METAR report, what does the cloud layer code 'BKN' indicate?
Scattered clouds (3 - 4 oktas)
Overcast clouds (8 oktas)
Broken clouds (5 - 7 oktas)
Few clouds (1 - 2 oktas)
The code BKN in a METAR indicates broken clouds, which cover 5 to 7 oktas of the sky. This distinguishes it from FEW, SCT, and OVC.
In aviation weather, what does 'CAVOK' stand for?
Conditions Akin to VMC OK
Clouds and Visibility Over Key
Ceiling and Visibility OK
Clear Above Visibility OK
CAVOK stands for 'Ceiling and Visibility OK,' meaning visibility is at least 10 km, no clouds below 5,000 ft AGL, and no significant weather.
Which cloud type is most indicative of a stable atmosphere with widespread low-level layers?
Cumulonimbus
Stratus
Cirrus
Cumulus
Stratus clouds form in stable conditions with gentle lift, producing widespread low-level cloud layers. Cumulus and cumulonimbus indicate instability.
Which meteorological hazard is directly caused by supercooled water droplets freezing upon impact with an aircraft?
Icing
Turbulence
Wind shear
Lightning
Supercooled water droplets freeze upon contact with aircraft surfaces, leading to structural icing which can degrade performance and control.
What unit is wind speed reported in on a METAR?
Kilometers per hour
Miles per hour
Meters per second
Knots
METAR wind speeds are always reported in knots (KT), following international aviation standards.
In the METAR group '18012G25KT', what does 'G25' indicate?
Wind direction variable above 25 kt
Gusts up to 25 kt
Gusts ranging between 12 and 25 kt
Sustained wind of 25 kt
In wind groups, 'G' denotes gusts. 'G25' means that wind gusts reach up to 25 knots above the 12 kt sustained wind.
In a TAF, what does the time group 'FM120600' specify?
Forecast from the 12th at 0600 UTC
Meteorological phenomenon lasting 6 hours
Forecast valid until 0600 UTC
Forecast starting at 1200 local time
FM120600 indicates that beginning at 0600 UTC on the 12th, the following forecast conditions apply until the next change indicator.
A small temperature and dew point spread in a METAR suggests which weather phenomenon?
Clear skies
Fog
Wind shear
High turbulence
When temperature and dew point are close, relative humidity is high and air is nearly saturated, making fog formation likely.
What type of atmospheric instability exists when the environmental lapse rate is greater than the moist adiabatic lapse rate but less than the dry adiabatic lapse rate?
Absolutely unstable
Conditionally unstable
Absolutely stable
Neutral stability
If the environmental lapse rate lies between the moist and dry adiabatic rates, saturated parcels rise freely but unsaturated parcels do not, defining conditional instability.
On a surface weather chart, which front is depicted by alternating triangles and semicircles on the same side of the line?
Occluded front
Stationary front
Warm front
Cold front
An occluded front symbol uses both the cold front triangles and warm front semicircles on the same side to show where a cold front has overtaken a warm front.
In a TAF, what does 'PROB30' indicate?
Probability changes every 30 minutes
0.3 hour duration of the event
30% probability of the specified weather
30 kt probable wind gusts
PROB30 means there is a 30 percent chance that the following weather conditions will occur during the forecast period.
What is the primary purpose of a SIGMET?
To replace an AIRMET
To forecast routine weather changes
To predict only turbulence
To warn all aircraft about hazardous weather phenomena
SIGMETs are issued to warn all pilots of significant weather hazards such as severe icing, turbulence, and thunderstorms that can affect flight safety.
A temperature inversion layer in the atmosphere typically indicates what about vertical motion?
Increased turbulence
Immediate thunderstorm development
Suppressed vertical motion and stable layer
Enhanced updrafts
An inversion places warmer air above cooler air, capping vertical motion and creating a stable layer that suppresses convection.
Using a standard lapse rate of 2°C per 1000 ft, estimate the freezing level if surface temperature is 20°C.
10,000 ft
5,000 ft
8,000 ft
15,000 ft
With a 2°C per 1000 ft lapse rate, a 20°C drop to 0°C requires 20/2 = 10 thousand feet, so the freezing level is approximately 10,000 ft AGL.
For a runway oriented 090°, and wind reported as 12015KT, what is the approximate headwind component?
13 kt
7 kt
15 kt
0 kt
The wind is 30° off the runway heading (120 - 090), so headwind = 15 kt Ã- cos 30° ≈ 13 kt.
Given the METAR 'METAR KJFK 051651Z 23015G25KT 3SM -RA BR BKN008 OVC015 10/09 A2992', what is the height of the lowest broken cloud layer?
800 ft AGL
300 ft AGL
900 ft AGL
1500 ft AGL
BKN008 signifies a broken cloud layer at 800 feet above ground level. The next layer, OVC015, is at 1500 ft.
In a TAF, what does the group 'TEMPO 1201/1204' imply?
Temporary fluctuations between 0100 and 0400 UTC on day 12
Forecast valid only at 0100 UTC
Permanent change starting at 0100 UTC
Between 1201 and 1204 local time
TEMPO indicates temporary weather variations expected to occur between 0100 and 0400 UTC on the specified day.
On radar imagery, a bow echo signature most commonly indicates which hazard?
Strong straight-line winds and microbursts
Hail only
Tornadic vortex
Light drizzle
Bow echoes are radar signatures associated with damaging straight-line winds and downbursts (microbursts), presenting severe hazard.
For an aircraft landing on runway 18 with a reported wind of 09025KT, what is the approximate crosswind component?
17 kt
25 kt
0 kt
13 kt
Wind at 090° is perpendicular to runway 18 (180°), so the full wind speed of 25 kt acts as a crosswind component.
An aircraft has a true airspeed of 150 kt and is flying track 300° with winds aloft reported as 24020KT. What is the approximate groundspeed?
130 kt
150 kt
140 kt
160 kt
The wind is 60° off the nose (300 - 240), giving a headwind component of 20 kt Ã- cos 60° = 10 kt. Groundspeed = 150 - 10 = 140 kt.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse METAR and TAF reports for flight planning.
  2. Interpret cloud formations and weather patterns accurately.
  3. Identify critical meteorological hazards affecting aviation.
  4. Apply wind and temperature data to operational decisions.
  5. Evaluate atmospheric stability and turbulence conditions.
  6. Demonstrate proficiency in reading aviation weather charts.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Decode METAR & TAF Reports - Unlock the secret language of weather reports and make your flight planning a breeze. These codes spill the beans on wind, visibility, and cloud cover so you can soar safely. How to Read METAR and TAF Reports - Pilot Institute
  2. Master Common Weather Abbreviations - Turn mysterious shorthand like RA for rain or BKN for broken clouds into your new best friends. Once you've got these shortcuts down, you'll whip through reports in no time. METAR and TAF Decode Key - ATIS Relay
  3. Interpret Cloud Formations - Get a handle on what fluffy cumulus or towering cumulonimbus really mean for your flight path. Understanding cloud types can alert you to turbulence, thunderstorms, or smooth sailing ahead. METAR and TAF decoding guide
  4. Spot Critical Meteorological Hazards - Learn to recognize wind shear, icing, and turbulence warnings hidden in your METAR. Early detection means you can reroute or delay before conditions become risky. How to Read METAR and TAF Reports - Pilot Institute
  5. Use Wind & Temperature Data for Runway Selection - Analyze runway winds like a pro to pick the safest takeoff and landing paths. Knowing headwinds, crosswinds, and temperature variations helps you optimize performance. METAR and TAF decoding guide
  6. Evaluate Atmospheric Stability - Compare temperature and dew point spreads to predict fog, low clouds, or turbulence. A narrow gap often signals reduced visibility, while a wider gap hints at clearer skies. How to Read METAR and TAF Reports - Pilot Institute
  7. Read Aviation Weather Charts - Translate colorful fronts, pressure systems, and isobar patterns into actionable flight plans. Weather charts give you the big picture so you can dodge storms and capitalize on tailwinds. METAR and TAF decoding guide
  8. Practice Regular Decoding - Consistency is key! Challenge yourself with daily METARs and TAFs to boost speed and confidence. The more you practice, the more instinctive your weather checks become. How to Read METAR and TAF Reports - Pilot Institute
  9. Create Mnemonic Devices for Abbreviations - Craft fun memory aids like "BKN = Broken sky, Nearly complete cover" to lock in those codes. Mnemonics turn tedious memorization into a playful brain workout. METAR and TAF Decode Key - ATIS Relay
  10. Stay Updated on Reporting Standards - METAR and TAF formats evolve, so keep an eye out for updates and addendums. Staying current ensures your interpretations stay spot-on and you're always flight-ready. METAR and TAF decoding guide
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