Station Model - Present Weather and Visibility

Present Weather and Visibility

To the left of the cloud shape in the center of the station model is the symbol depicting present weather. The present weather symbol depicts the current weather which normally is obstructing the visibility at the time of observation. The visibility itself is shown as a number, in statute miles in the United States and meters elsewhere, describing how far the observer can see at that time. This number is located to the left of the present weather symbol. For pilots, knowledge of the horizontal visibility helps determine if they are flying through instrument meteorological conditions, such as foggy or smokey conditions, as well as areas of intense precipitation. Present weather depicted with the station model can include:

  • Dust
  • Fog
  • Haze
  • Ocean spray
  • Precipitation
  • Sand
  • Smoke
  • Thunderstorms
  • Volcanic ash

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Famous quotes containing the words present, weather and/or visibility:

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    “To recover a buried treasure without having it disappear miraculously in the process, one must be entitled to it, and also be willing—really willing deep in his heart—to share it with the poor and helpless. Buried money, especially silver, gives off a bright glow which comes right up through the earth and can be seen as a dim light on nights when the weather is misty or there is a gentle rain.”
    —Administration in the State of Ariz, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)

    “My children have taught me things. Things I thought I knew. The most profound wisdom they have given me is a respect for human vulnerability. I have known that people are resilient, but I didn’t appreciate how fragile they are. Until children learn to hide their feelings, you read them in their faces, gestures, and postures. The sheer visibility of shyness, pain, and rejection let me recognize and remember them.”
    —Shirley Nelson Garner (20th century)