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Monitor the weather at an airport/airfield

URN: PPLAOG35
Business Sectors (Suites): Aviation Operations on the Ground
Developed by: People 1st
Approved on: 2021

Overview

This standard is about monitoring the weather at an airport/airfield. This involves reviewing the current and forecast weather conditions at the start of a shift and the ongoing monitoring and forecasting of weather conditions during a shift. This will include forecasting and responding to severe and/or rapidly changing weather conditions which may have an impact on airport/airfield operations.

This standard is for those working at airports/airfields whose role involves monitoring the weather.

When you have completed this standard, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of and ability to:

• Monitor the weather at an airport/airfield

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

1. Gain an overview of current weather trends and interpretations by reviewing existing forecasts and meteorological guidance, risk assessments and warnings at the start of your shift according to organisational and airport/airfield procedures 2. Monitor and evaluate current observations, charts, reports and images to confirm or clarify your understanding of the current and forecast weather conditions in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures 3. Review new forecasts and meteorological guidance to maintain an overview of current and forecast weather conditions in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures 4. Observe weather conditions in the immediate vicinity of the airport/airfield during the course of your shift according to organisational and airport/airfield procedures  5. Monitor current and forecast weather conditions in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures 6. Use the technology available to you when reviewing and monitoring the weather in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements 7. Identify trends in current and forecast weather conditions and emerging weather issues in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures  8. Record current and forecast weather information in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures  9. Take the required actions in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements in response to severe and/ or rapidly changing weather conditions 10. Provide updates to colleagues in relation to the current and forecast weather conditions in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures 

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

1. Your organisation’s and airport/airfield procedures for monitoring the weather at an airport/airfield 2. The sources and types of information used for monitoring the weather at an airport/airfield  3. How to review existing forecasts and meteorological guidance, risk assessments and warnings to gain an overview of current weather trends and interpretations at the start of your shift 4. How to monitor and evaluate current observations, charts, reports and images to verify and forecast the weather conditions 5. The importance of and the methods for confirming and clarifying your understanding of the current and forecast weather conditions 6. How to review new forecasts and meteorological guidance to maintain an overview of current and forecast weather conditions 7. How to observe and interpret weather conditions in the immediate vicinity of the airport/airfield during the course of your shift, and the importance of doing so 8. How to use the available technology to review and monitor weather information and the actions to take in the event of a technological failure 9. The current health and safety legal requirements for using display screen equipment 10. How to interpret information to identify trends and emerging issues in the current and forecast weather conditions 11. Your organisation’s and the airport/airfield’s procedures for recording current and forecast weather information 12. The actions to take in response to severe and/or rapidly changing weather conditions 13. The potential impacts of severe and/or rapidly changing weather conditions on airport/airfield operations 14. Your organisation’s and the airport/airfield’s communication channels and procedures for providing updates to colleagues in relation to the current and forecast weather conditions

Scope/range

Information includes:
a) Surface wind direction and speed
b) Visibility
c) Significant cloud amount
d) Height of cloud base
e) Barometric pressure setting
f) Marked temperature inversion 
g) Runway surface conditions

Reports include:
a) Meteorological reports
b) Pilot reports
c) Routine reports
d) Special reports

Severe and rapidly changing weather conditions include: 
a) Thunderstorms
b) Fog
c) Wind shear
d) Gales
e) Squalls
f) Cloud
g) Snow
h) Frost
i) Freezing precipitation
j) Marked temperature inversion
k) Ice

Colleagues include:
a) Aircraft personnel
b) Air traffic control
c) Air traffic control services
d) Ground crew

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

2026

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

GoSkills

Original URN

GSKAOG35

Relevant Occupations

Transport Drivers and Operatives, Transport Operations and Maintenance

SOC Code

8233

Keywords

current weather, forecast weather, meteorological information, meteorological reports, weather conditions, weather reports