3.

Responsibilities of world area forecast centres

Air-reports received at WAFCs shall be further disseminated as basic

meteorological data
Note:
The dissemination of basic meteorological data is normally carried out on the WMO Global
Telecommunication System.

3.3

Supplementary dissemination of air-reports

[Recommendation] Where supplementary dissemination of air-reports is required to satisfy special

aeronautical or meteorological requirements, such dissemination should be arranged between the
meteorological authorities concerned.
3.4

Format of air-reports

Air-reports shall be exchanged in the format in which they are received

4.

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS RELATED TO REPORTING WIND SHEAR AND

VOLCANIC ASH

4.1

Reporting of wind shear

4.1.1
[Recommendation] When reporting aircraft observations of wind shear encountered
during the climb-out and approach phases of flight, the aircraft type should be included.
4.1.2
[Recommendation] Where wind shear conditions in the climb-out or approach
phases of flight were reported or forecast but not encountered, the pilot-in-command should
advise the appropriate air traffic services unit as soon as practicable unless the pilot-in-command
is aware that the appropriate air traffic services unit has already been so advised by a preceding
aircraft.
4.2

Post-flight reporting of volcanic activity

Note:
The detailed instructions for recording and reporting volcanic activity observations are given in the ICAO
Procedures for Air Navigation Services Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM, Doc 4444), Appendix 1.

4.2.1
On arrival of a flight at an aerodrome, the completed report of
volcanic activity shall be delivered by the operator or a flight crew member,
without delay, to the aerodrome meteorological office, or if such office is not
easily accessible to arriving flight crew members, the completed form shall be
dealt with in accordance with local arrangements made by the meteorological
authority and the operator
4.2.2
The completed report of volcanic activity received by an aerodrome
meteorological office shall be transmitted without delay to the meteorological
watch office responsible for the provision of meteorological watch for the flight
information region in which the volcanic activity was observed

Table A4-1 Template for the special air-report (downlink)

Key: M
C

=
=

inclusion mandatory, part of every message;

inclusion conditional; included whenever available.

Note:
Message to be prompted by the pilot-in-command. Currently only the condition SEV TURB can be
automated (see 2.6.3 in this appendix).

Element as specified in
Part I, 5

Detailed content

Template(s)

Examples

Message type designator (M)

Type of air-report (M)

ARS

ARS

Aircraft identification (M)

Aircraft radiotelephony call sign (M)

nnnnnn

VA812

Latitude (M)

Latitude in degrees and minutes (M)

Nnnnn or Snnnn

S4506

Longitude (M)

Longitude in degrees and minutes (M)

Wnnnnn or Ennnnn

E01056

Level (M)

Flight level (M)

FLnnn or FLnnn to FLnnn

FL330
FL280 to FL310

Time (M)

Time of occurrence in hours and minutes (M) OBS AT nnnnZ

OBS AT 1216Z

Wind direction (M)

Wind direction in degrees true (M)

nnn/

262/

Wind speed (M)

Wind speed in metres per second (or

knots) (M)

nnnMPS (or nnnKT)

40MPS
(080KT)

Wind quality flag (M)

Wind quality flag (M)

Air temperature (M)

Air temperature in tenths of degrees C (M)

T[M]nnn

T127
TM455

Turbulence (C)

Turbulence in hundredths of m2/3 s1 and

the time of occurrence of the peak value
(C)1
Relative humidity in per cent (C)

EDRnnn/nn

EDR064/08

RHnnn

RH054

SEV TURB [EDRnnn]2 or

SEV ICE or
SEV MTW or
TS GR3 or
TS3 or
HVY SS4 or
VA CLD [FL nnn/nnn] or
VA5 [MT
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]
or
MOD TURB [EDRnnn]2 or
MOD ICE

SEV TURB EDR076

VA CLD FL050/100

DATA BLOCK 1

DATA BLOCK 2

Humidity (C)
DATA BLOCK 3
Condition prompting the
issuance of a special
air-report (M)

Notes:
1.
The time of occurrence to be reported in accordance with Table A4-2.
2.
The turbulence to be reported in accordance with 2.6.3 in this appendix.
3.
Obscured, embedded or widespread thunderstorms or thunderstorms in squall lines.
4.
Duststorm or sandstorm.
5.
Pre-eruption volcanic activity or a volcanic eruption

Table A4-2 Time of occurrence of the peak value to be reported

Peak value of turbulence occurring during the one-minute
period
. . . . . . minutes prior to the observation

Value to be
reported

01

12

23

...

...

13 14

13

14 15

14

No timing information available

15

Table A4-3 Ranges and resolutions for the meteorological elements included
in air-reports
Element as specified in Part I, 5
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Wind quality flag:
Air temperature:

true
MPS
KT
(index)*
C

Range

Resolution

000 360
00 125
00 250

1
1
1

01

80 +60

0.1

Turbulence: routine air-report:

m2/3 s1
(time of occurrence)*

02
0 15

0.01
1

Turbulence: special air-report:

m2/3 s1

02

0.01

0 100

Humidity:

* Non-dimensional