WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 International Civil Aviation Organization 20/12/07 WORKING PAPER WORLD AREA FORECAST SYSTEM OPERATIONS GROUP (WAFSOPSG) FOURTH MEETING Cairo, Egypt, 26 to 28 February 2008 Agenda Item 4: Review of ICAO provisions related to WAFS 4.1; Review of ANP/FASID procedures 4.2: Review of draft Amendment 75 to Annex 3 related to WAFS UPDATES TO ICAO PROVISIONS IN ANNEX 3 AND ANP/FASID (Presented by the Secretary) SUMMARY This paper reviews the ICAO provisions and proposes updates thereto, as necessary. 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The group will recall that it is tasked to review the regional procedures contained in the ANP/FASID at every meeting. The group is also invited to review the draft amendment to WAFS-related provisions in Annex 3 — Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation, for inclusion in Amendment 75 with the applicability in 2010. 2. REVIEW OF ANP/FASID PROCEDURES 2.1 The group will note that a draft amendment to the global version of the ANP/FASID procedures related to WAFS has been developed by the Secretariat (Appendix A refers). In addition to a few editorials, it will introduce a reference to the new gridded forecasts of cumulonimbus clouds, icing and turbulence. 2.2 The group is invited to review these procedures and propose amendments, as necessary. The group may wish to formulate the following conclusion: (21 pages) 116107722 -2- WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 Conclusion 4/... — Amendment to WAFS-related regional procedures in the ANP/FASID That, the Secretariat forward the WAFS-related regional procedures as shown in Appendix1.... to this report to the ICAO Regional Offices concerned for onward transmission to States for comment, as necessary in view of their early inclusion in ANP/FASID concerned. 3. DRAFT AMENDMENT TO ANNEX 3 3.1 The group will recall that, in view of the three-year amendment cycle of Annex 3, it is expected to review WAFS-related amendments thereto at every second WAFSOPSG meeting. The Secretariat has prepared a draft amendment to Annex 3 based on the progress made by the group (Appendix B to this working paper refers). The proposed amendment relates to the following areas: a) improvements in the spatial and temporal resolution of WAFS forecasts in the GRIB code form; b) increase of the lead time for issuance of SIGWX forecasts; c) introduction of WAFS forecasts for cumulonimbus clouds, icing and turbulence in the GRIB code form; d) simplifications to the content of SIGWX forecasts by eliminating the following elements already available from other sources: 1) volcanic ash symbol (reason: issuance of volcanic ash advisories fully implemented); 2) tropical cyclone symbol (reasons: issuance of tropical cyclone advisories fully implemented; the associated cumulonimbus clouds to be retained); 3) squall line symbol (reason: the associated cumulonimbus clouds to be retained); 4) sandstorm/duststorm (reasons: information available through SIGMET messages; these phenomena never included in SIGWX forecasts); and 5) radioactive material (reason: direct and timely notification of the area control centre(s) concerned through VAAC London to be implemented by 2010); and e) elimination of the requirement to indicate, subject to regional air navigation agreement, the areas of flight documentation available at international aerodromes (reason: information with global coverage provided through WAFS); 1 The draft procedures are at Appendix A to this working paper. -3- WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 f) deletion of amendments to WAFS forecasts (reason: in view of the improvements in the quality and temporal resolutions, such amendments no longer justified); and g) editorial improvements (including elimination of redundant, repetitive provisions in Chapter 9 and Appendix 8). 3.2 The group will note that items a) to c) will be addressed under Agenda Items 6.1 to 6.3, respectively and that any changes stemming from the discussions under those agenda items would have to be reflected in the final version of the draft amendment. It may be further noted that the nature of the GRIB code (i.e. GRIB1 versus GRIB2) is not reflected in Annex 3 and that therefore, the introduction of the GRIB2 code form, needs not be included in this amendment. 3.3 With regard to the eliminating of the elements from SIGWX forecasts (listed under subparagraph d) above), the group will note that the WAFC Provider States would continue issuing the corresponding BUFR bulletins; however, such bulletins would be empty, i.e. containing no data, as of November 2010. The group will recall that a similar procedure was followed when implementing Amendment 74 (which included the elimination of surface features from the SIGWX forecasts); this approach will ensure that a vast majority of WAFS users can continue using their BUFR conversion software without a need for any upgrades. 3.4 The group is invited to review the draft amendment in Appendix B and formulate the following conclusion: RSPP Conclusion 4/... — Amendment to Annex 3 That, the proposal to amend Annex 3 — Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation given in Appendix2.... to this report be included as part of Amendment 75 to Annex 3. 3.5 The group may wish to note that references to the display of the new gridded forecasts of cumulonimbus clouds, icing, and clear-air and in-cloud turbulence in Appendix 1 to Annex 3 are made in the draft provisions. Therefore, the group will consider it necessary that model charts related to the display of these new forecasts be developed. Since Appendix 1 to Annex 3, which is the responsibility of WMO, in accordance with the Working Arrangements between the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Meteorological Organization (Doc 7475), is not circulated to States for comment, this work can be completed by the WAFSOPSG/5 Meeting. The group is invited to formulate the following conclusion: 2 The draft provisions are at Appendix B to this working paper. -4- WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 Conclusion 4/ — Development of model charts related to the new gridded WAFS forecasts That, the WAFC Provider States, in close coordination with the WAFSOPSG Member from WMO, be invited to develop model charts related to the new gridded WAFS forecasts of cumulonimbus clouds, icing and clear-air and in-cloud turbulence for review by the WAFSOPSG/5 Meeting. Note. — These model charts would be included in Appendix 1 to Annex 3 as part of Amendment 75. 4. 4.1 ACTION BY THE WAFSOPSG The group is invited to: to: a) note the information in this paper; and b) decide on the draft conclusions proposed for the group’s consideration. ———————— WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 Appendix A APPENDIX A DRAFT REGIONAL PROVISIONS IN THE ANP/FASID BASIC ANP World area forecast system (WAFS) (FASID Tables MET 5, MET 6 and MET 7) 1. FASID Table MET 5 sets out the [AFI, ASIA/PAC, CAR/SAM, EUR, MID, NAT] Region[s] requirements for WAFS forecasts to be provided by WAFC [London, Washington]. [WAFSOPSG Conclusion 1/2] 2. FASID Table MET 6 sets out the responsibilities of WAFCs London and Washington for the production of WAFS forecasts. For back-up purposes, each WAFC should have the capability to produce WAFS forecasts for all the required areas of coverage. [WAFSOPSG Conclusion 1/2] 3. WAFS forecasts should be disseminated by WAFC [London, Washington] using the [satellite distribution system for information relating to air navigation (SADIS), international satellite communications system (ISCS1, ISCS2)] covering the reception area shown in FASID Chart CNS [4]. [WAFSOPSG Conclusion 4/…] 4. Each State should make the necessary arrangements to receive and make full operational use of WAFS forecasts disseminated by WAFC [London, Washington]. FASID Table MET 7 lists the authorized users of the [SADIS, ISCS1, ISCS2] satellite broadcast in the [AFI, ASIA/PAC, CAR/SAM, EUR, MID, NAT] Region[s] and location of the operational VSATs. [WAFSOPSG Conclusion 4/…] WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 Appendix A A-2 FASID World area forecast system (WAFS) (FASID Tables MET 5, MET 6 and MET 7) 1. FASID Table MET 5 sets out the [AFI, ASIA/PAC, CAR/SAM, EUR, MID, NAT] Region[s] requirements for WAFS forecasts, to be provided by WAFC [London, Washington]. 2. FASID Table MET 6 sets out the responsibilities of WAFCs London and Washington for the production of WAFS forecasts. 3. FASID Table MET 7 lists the authorized users of the [SADIS, ISCS1, ISCS2] satellite broadcast in the [AFI, ASIA/PAC, CAR/SAM, EUR, MID, NAT] Region[s] and location of the operational VSATs. The table is included in the FASID for information purposes and kept up-to-date by the Regional Offices concerned. WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 A-3 Appendix A FASID TABLE MET 5 — REQUIREMENTS FOR WAFS FORECASTS EXPLANATION OF THE TABLE Column 1. WAFS forecasts required by the [AFI, ASIA/PAC, CAR/SAM, EUR, MID, NAT] States, to be provided by WAFC [London, Washington]. 2. Area of coverage required for the WAFS Washington]. forecasts, to be provided by WAFC [London, FORECAST REQUIRED AREAS REQUIRED 1 2 SWH forecasts (FL 250-630) in the BUFR code form GLOBAL SWM forecasts (FL 100-250) in the BUFR code form [NIL or ASIA SOUTH, EUR, MID, NAT] Forecasts of upper-air wind, temperature and humidity, cumulonimbus clouds, icing, and clear-air and in-cloud turbulence and of altitude of flight levels in the GRIB code form GLOBAL Note 1.— SWM forecasts are provided for limited geographical areas as determined by regional air navigation agreement. Note 2.— WAFCs will continue to issue forecasts of SIGWX in PNG chart form for back-up purposes for fixed areas of coverage as specified in Annex 3. Note 3.— Forecasts of cumulonimbus clouds, icing, and clear-air and in-cloud turbulence are experimental forecasts which are expected to become fully operational by the end of 2009. WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 A-4 Appendix A FASID TABLE MET 6 — RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WORLD AREA FORECAST CENTRES EXPLANATION OF THE TABLE Column 1 Name of the world area forecast centre (WAFC). 2 Area of coverage of significant weather (SIGWX) forecasts in the BUFR code form prepared or relayed by the WAFC in Column 1. 3 Area of coverage of forecasts of upper-air wind, temperature, cumulonimbus clouds, icing, clear-air and in-cloud turbulence, and humidity, and of altitude of flight levels in the GRIB code form issued by the WAFC in Column 1. Areas of coverage of WAFC SIGWX forecasts 1 Forecasts of upper-air wind, temperature, cumulonimbus clouds, icing, and clear-air and in-cloud turbulence, humidity, and of altitude of flight levels In the BUFR code form In the GRIB code form 2 3 London SWH (FL 250 - 630): global SWM (FL 100 - 250):ASIA SOUTH, EUR and MID Global Washington SWH (FL 250 - 630): global SWM (FL 100- 250): NAT Global Note 4.— WAFCs continue to issue forecasts of SIGWX in PNG chart form for back-up purposes for fixed areas of coverage as specified in Annex 3. Note 5.— Forecasts of cumulonimbus clouds, icing, and clear-air and in-cloud turbulence are experimental products which are expected to become fully operational by the end of 2009. WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 A-5 Appendix A FASID TABLE MET 7 — AUTHORIZED USERS OF THE [SADIS, ISCS1, ISCS2] SATELLITE BROADCAST AND THE INTERNET-BASED WAFS FTP SERVICE IN THE [AFI, ASIA/PAC, CAR/SAM, EUR, MID, NAT] REGION[S] EXPLANATION OF THE TABLE Column 1. Name of the State or territory. 2. User of the satellite broadcast. Abbreviations used: CAA — civil aviation authority NMS — national meteorological service O — other than the civil aviation authority or the national meteorological service. 3. Location of VSAT: town and, where applicable, aerodrome to be indicated. 4. Indication whether the equipment is operational: 2w — 1w — F — [blank] two-way VSAT operational one-way VSAT operational only Internet-based FTP service — no. [Satellite Distribution System for Information Relating to Air Navigation (SADIS) , International Satellite Communication System (ISCS1, ISCS2)] provided by the [United Kingdom, United States] State/Territory 1 User of satellite Broadcast Location of VSAT Equipment operational 2 3 4 Editorial Note.— The content of the FASID Table MET 7 is to be kept up-to-date by the PIRGs and regional offices concerned. ———————— ….. WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 Appendix B APPENDIX B PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND RECOMMENDED PRACTICES METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL AIR NAVIGATION ANNEX 3 TO THE CONVENTION OF INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION SIXTEENTH EDITION — JULY 2007 PART I. CORE SARPs ... CHAPTER 3. WORLD AREA FORECAST SYSTEM AND METEOROLOGICAL OFFICES ... 3.2 World area forecast centres 3.2.1 A Contracting State, having accepted the responsibility for providing a WAFC within the framework of the world area forecast system, shall arrange for that centre: a) to prepare for grid points for all required levels global forecasts of: 1) upper wind; 2) upper-air temperature and humidity; 3) geopotential altitude of flight levels; 4) flight level and temperature of tropopause; 5) direction, speed and flight level of maximum wind; 6) cumulonimbus clouds; 7) icing; and WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 B-2 Appendix B 8) clear-air and in-cloud turbulence; b) to prepare global forecasts of significant weather (SIGWX) phenomena; and c) to issue the forecasts referred to in a) and b) in digital form to meteorological authorities and other users, as approved by the Contracting State on advice from the meteorological authority. ... 3.3 Meteorological offices ... Editorial Note.— Renumber the subsequent paragraphs accordingly. ... 3.5 Volcanic ash advisory centres 3.5.1 A Contracting State, having accepted, by regional air navigation agreement, the responsibility for providing a VAAC within the framework of the international airways volcano watch, shall arrange for that centre to respond to a notification that a volcano has erupted, or is expected to erupt or volcanic ash is reported in its area of responsibility, by arranging for that centre to: ... c) issue advisory information regarding the extent and forecast movement of the volcanic ash “cloud” to: 1) meteorological watch offices, area control centres and flight information centres serving flight information regions in its area of responsibility which may be affected; 2) other VAACs whose areas of responsibility may be affected; 3) international OPMET databanks, international NOTAM offices, and centres designated by regional air navigation agreement for the operation of aeronautical fixed service satellite distribution systems; and ... CHAPTER 9. SERVICE FOR OPERATORS AND FLIGHT CREW MEMBERS WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 B-3 Appendix B ... 9.1 General provisions ... 9.1.3 Meteorological information supplied to operators and flight crew members shall be up to date and include the following information, as established by meteorological authority in consultation with operators concerned: a) forecasts of 1) upper wind and upper-air temperature; ... 6) SIGWX phenomena; Note 1.— Forecasts of SIGWX phenomena may be provided either as upper-air gridded forecasts or as SIGWX forecasts, in accordance with Appendix 2. Note 2.— Forecasts of upper-air humidity and geopotential altitude of flight levels are used only in automatic flight planning and need not be displayed. ... e) SIGMET information and appropriate special air-reports relevant to the whole route; Note.— Appropriate special air-reports will be those not already used in the preparation of SIGMET. f) volcanic ash and tropical cyclone advisory information; Editorial Note.— Renumber the sub-paragraphs accordingly. ... 9.1.7 When forecasts of upper wind and upper-air temperature listed under 9.1.3 a) 1) are supplied in chart form, they shall be fixed time prognostic charts for flight levels as specified in Appendix 2, 1.2.2 a). When forecasts of SIGWX phenomena listed under 9.1.3 a) 6) are supplied in chart form, they shall be fixed time prognostic charts as specified in Appendix 2, 1.2.2 e), f), g) and 1.3.2, and Appendix 5, 4.3.2. ... 9.1.10 The meteorological office associated with the aerodrome of departure shall provide, or arrange the provision of, information to operators and flight crew members at the location to be determined by the meteorological authority, after consultation with the operators and at the time to be agreed upon between the meteorological office and the operator concerned. The service for pre-flight WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 B-4 Appendix B planning shall be confined to flights originating within the territory of the State concerned. In exceptional circumstances, such as an undue delay, the meteorological office associated with the aerodrome shall provide, or arrange for the provision of, updated meteorological information, as necessary. 9.2 Briefing, consultation and display ... 9.2.2 Meteorological information used for briefing, consultation and display shall be readily accessible to the flight crew members or other flight operations personnel, and include any or all of the information listed in 9.1.3. ... 9.3 Flight documentation Note.— The requirements for the use of automated pre-flight information systems in providing flight documentation are given in 9.4. 9.3.1 Flight documentation to be made available shall comprise information listed under 9.1.3 a) 1) and 6), b), c), e), f) and, if appropriate, g). However, when agreed between the meteorological authority and operator concerned, flight documentation for flights of two hours’ duration or less, after a short stop or turnaround, shall be limited to the information operationally needed, but in all cases the flight documentation shall at least comprise information on 9.1.3 b), c), e) f) and, if appropriate, g). ... APPENDIX 2. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO WORLD AREA FORECAST SYSTEM AND METEOROLOGICAL OFFICES (See Chapter 3 of this Annex.) 1. WORLD AREA FORECAST SYSTEM 1.1 Formats and codes WAFCs shall adopt uniform formats and codes for the supply of forecasts. 1.2 Upper-air gridded forecasts WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 B-5 Appendix B 1.2.1 The forecasts of upper wind; upper-air temperature; and humidity; direction, speed and flight level of maximum wind; flight level and temperature of tropopause, cumulonimbus clouds, icing, clear-air and in-cloud turbulence, and geopotential altitude of flight levels shall be prepared four times a day by a WAFC and shall be valid for fixed valid times at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 and 36 hours after the time (0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC) of the synoptic data on which the forecasts were based. The dissemination of each forecast shall be in the above order and shall be completed as soon as technically feasible but not later than 6 hours after standard time of observation. 1.2.2 The grid point forecasts prepared by a WAFC shall comprise: a) wind and temperature data for flight levels 50 (850 hPa), 100 (700 hPa), 140 (600 hPa), 180 (500 hPa), 240 (400 hPa), 300 (300 hPa), 320 (275 hPa), 340 (250 hPa), 360 (225 hPa), 390 (200 hPa), 450 (150 hPa), and 530 (100 hPa); b) flight level and temperature of tropopause; c) direction, speed and flight level of maximum wind; d) humidity data for flight levels 50 (850 hPa), 100 (700 hPa), 140 (600 hPa) and 180 (500 hPa); e) horizontal extent and flight levels of base and top of cumulonimbus clouds; f) icing for flight levels 50 (850 hPa), 100 (700 hPa), 140 (600 hPa), 180 (500 hPa), 240 (400 hPa), 300 (300 hPa); g) clear-air turbulence for flight levels 240 (400 hPa), 300 (300 hPa), 320 (275 hPa), 340 (250 hPa), 360 (225 hPa), 390 (200 hPa) and 450 (150 hPa), and 530 (100 hPa); h) in-cloud turbulence for flight levels 100 (700 hPa), 140 (600 hPa), 180 (500 hPa), 240 (400 hPa), 300 (300 hPa);and i) geopotential altitude data for flight levels 50 (850 hPa), 100 (700 hPa), 140 (600 hPa), 180 (500 hPa), 240 (400 hPa), 300 (300 hPa), 340 (250 hPa), 390 (200 hPa), 450 (150 hPa) and 530 (100 hPa). ... 1.2.4 The foregoing grid point forecasts shall be prepared by a WAFC in a regular grid with a horizontal resolution of 1.25° of latitude and longitude. 1.3 Significant weather (SIGWX) forecasts 1.3.1 General provisions 1.3.1.1 Forecasts of significant en-route weather phenomena shall be prepared as SIGWX forecasts four times a day by a WAFC and shall be valid for fixed valid times at 24 hours after the time (0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC) of the synoptic data on which the forecasts were based. The dissemination of WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 B-6 Appendix B each forecast shall be completed as soon as technically feasible but not later than 9 hours after standard time of observation. ... 1.3.2 Types of SIGWX forecasts SIGWX forecasts shall be issued as high-level SIGWX forecasts for flight levels between 250 and 630. Note. — Medium-level SIGWX forecasts for flight levels between 100 and 250 for limited geographical areas will continue to be issued until the year 2013. 1.3.3 Items included in SIGWX forecasts High-level SIGWX forecasts shall include the following items: a) moderate or severe turbulence (in cloud or clear air); b) moderate or severe icing; c) cumulonimbus clouds associated with thunderstorms, tropical cyclones and severe squall lines; Note. ― Non-convective cloud areas associated with in-cloud moderate or severe turbulence and/or moderate or severe icing are to be included in the SIGWX forecasts. d) flight level of tropopause; e) jet streams; and f) a reminder to users to check SIGMET, advisories, ASHTAM and NOTAM for volcanic ash. Note 1.— Medium-level SIGWX forecasts include the items a) to f) above; and Note 2.— Items to be included in low-level SIGWX forecasts (i.e. flight levels below 100) are included in Appendix 5. 1.3.4 Criteria for including items in SIGWX forecasts The following criteria shall be applied for SIGWX forecasts: a) items a) toc) in 1.3.3 shall only be included if expected to occur between the lower and upper level of the SIGWX forecast; b) the abbreviation “CB” shall only be included when it refers to the occurrence or expected WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 B-7 Appendix B occurrence of cumulonimbus clouds: 1) affecting an area with a maximum spatial coverage of 50 per cent or more of the area concerned; 2) along a line with little or no space between individual clouds; or 3) embedded in cloud layers or concealed by haze; and c) the inclusion of “CB” shall be understood to include all weather phenomena normally associated with cumulonimbus clouds, i.e. thunderstorm, moderate or severe icing, moderate or severe turbulence and hail. 2. METEOROLOGICAL OFFICES 2.1 Use of WAFS products ... 2.1.2 In order to ensure uniformity and standardization of flight documentation, the WAFS GRIB and, where required, BUFR data received shall be decoded into standard WAFS charts in accordance with relevant provisions in this Annex, and the meteorological content and identification of the originator of the WAFS forecasts shall not be amended. WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 B-8 Appendix B 2.2 Notification of WAFC concerning significant discrepancies Meteorological offices using WAFS BUFR data shall notify the WAFC concerned immediately if significant discrepancies are detected or reported in respect of WAFS SIGWX forecasts concerning icing, turbulence, cumulonimbus clouds that are obscured, frequent, embedded or occurring along a line The WAFC receiving the message shall acknowledge its receipt to the originator, together with a brief comment on the report and any action taken, using the same means of communication employed by the originator. Note.— Guidance on reporting significant discrepancies is provided in the Manual of Aeronautical Meteorological Practice (Doc 8896). ... APPENDIX 8. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO SERVICE FOR OPERATORS AND FLIGHT CREW MEMBERS (See Chapter 9 of this Annex.) ... 2. SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO INFORMATION FOR PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING AND IN-FLIGHT RE-PLANNING 2.1 Format of upper-air gridded information Upper-air gridded information supplied by WAFCs for pre-flight and in-flight re-planning shall be in the GRIB code form. Note.— The GRIB code form is contained in WMO Publication No. 306, Manual on Codes, Volume I.2, Part B — Binary Codes. ... Editorial Note.— Renumber the subsequent paragraph accordingly. 43 SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO FLIGHT DOCUMENTATION 3.1 Presentation of information WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 B-9 Appendix B 3.1.1 The flight documentation related to forecasts of upper wind and upper-air temperature, incloud and clear-air turbulence, icing and cumulonimbus clouds and SIGWX phenomena shall be presented in the form of charts. For low-level flights, alternatively, GAMET area forecasts shall be used. Note.— Models of charts and forms for use in the preparation of flight documentation are given in Appendix 1. These models and methods for their completion are developed by the World Meteorological Organization on the basis of relevant operational requirements stated by the International Civil Aviation Organization. 3.1.2 METAR and SPECI (including trend forecasts as issued in accordance with regional air navigation agreement), TAF, GAMET, SIGMET, AIRMET and volcanic ash and tropical cyclone advisory information shall be presented in accordance with the templates in Appendices 2, 3, 5 and 6, respectively. Such meteorological information received from other meteorological offices shall be included in flight documentation without change. Note.— Examples of the form of presentation of METAR/SPECI and TAF are given in Appendix 1. ... 3.2 Charts in flight documentation 3.2.1 Characteristics of charts ... 3.2.1.2 Meteorological information included in flight documentation shall be represented as follows: ... c) wind and temperature data selected from the data sets received from a world area forecast centre shall be depicted in a sufficiently dense latitude/longitude grid; d) wind arrows shall take precedence over temperatures and either shall take precedence over chart background; and e) clear-air and in-cloud turbulence, icing and convective clouds data received from a world area forecast centre shall be depicted in terms of areas likely to be affected by these phenomena. ... 3.2.2 Set of charts to be provided 3.2.2.1 The minimum number of charts for flights between flight level 250 and flight level 630 shall include: a) forecast 250 hPa clear-air turbulence and horizontal extent of cumulonimbus clouds or a high-level SIGWX chart (flight level 250 to flight level 630); and WAFSOPSG/4-WP/03 B-10 Appendix B b) a forecast 250 hPa wind and temperature chart. The actual charts provided for pre-flight and in-flight planning and for flight documentation shall be as agreed between meteorological authorities and users concerned. ... 5. SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO INFORMATION FOR AIRCRAFT IN FLIGHT ... 5.2 Information for in-flight planning by the operator Recommendation.— Meteorological information for planning by the operator for aircraft in flight should be supplied during the period of the flight and should normally consist of any or all of the following: ... c) SIGMET and AIRMET information and special air-reports relevant to the flight, unless the latter have been the subject of a SIGMET message; d) upper wind and upper-air temperature information; and e) volcanic ash and tropical cyclone advisory information. — END —