WEATHER SERVICE BY MODEM


The Wisconsin Department of Transportation operates a global
weather information service that may be accessed over ordinary
telephone lines at no cost to the user, except any long distance
tolls.

WeatherMation, developed by Pan Am Weather Systems of
Minneapolis, under contract with the State of Wisconsin, provides 24
modes of weather information from the National Weather Service, the
Federal Aviation Administration and WeatherStar, a satellite system
developed by the FAA.

General weather information includes forecasts issued four times
daily by the National Weather Service and daily extended forecasts for
each state.

Specialized information for pilots includes National Weather
Service forecasts for selected airports issued three times daily,
forecasts issued four times daily for selected international airports
and flight planning information. WeatherMation is the first such
service in the nation.

Personal computers with modems may view and download information
from the system by dialing one of several telephone numbers at various
airports throughout the state. All connections are at 300 or 1200
bits per second, using eight data bits, no parity and one stop bit.

Connection may be accessed through General Mitchell International
Airport, Milwaukee, by dialing (414) 747-4921. Other numbers may be
obtained from the Department of Trans-portation, Bureau of
Aeronautics, by phoning (voice) (608) 266-2480.

Certain graphics features of WeatherMation are not yet available
by modem.

Nonselective weather data for the Great Lakes and contiguous land
areas may be downloaded directly from the National Weather Service by
dialing (312) 298-9646 with a 1200 bits per second modem set for 8-
None-1. This service is primarily maritime in nature.

WeatherMation User Assistance
2/7/88

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(Alphabetically) | (Functionally)
Entry Function | Entry Function
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AC 24HR THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK | FD FORECAST WINDS ALOFT
AIRMET AIRMET | FT TERMINAL FORECASTS
DE WEATHER DEPICTION MAP | FP STATE FORECAST
ENR ENROUTE BRIEFING | FE EXTENDED STATE FORECAST
FA AREA FORECAST | FA AREA FORECAST
FD FORECAST WINDS ALOFT | 12PR 12/24 HR FORECAST MAP
FE EXTENDED STATE FORECAST | 36PR 36/48 HR FORECAST MAP
FLY FLIGHT PLAN |
FP STATE FORECAST | SA SURFACE OBSERVATIONS
FT TERMINAL FORECASTS | SD RADAR OBSERVATIONS
IN AIRPORT INFORMATION | AC 24HR THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK
NO NOTAMS | DE WEATHER DEPICTION MAP
PFP PRELIMINARY FLIGHT PLAN |
PILOT DESTINATION BRIEFING |
PIREP PILOT REPORTS | ENR ENROUTE BRIEFING
RA RADAR SUMMARY MAP | PILOT DESTINATION BRIEFING
RNS RADAR NARRATIVE SUMMARIES | FLY FLIGHT PLAN
SA SURFACE OBSERVATIONS | PIREP PILOT REPORTS
SD RADAR OBSERVATIONS | NO NOTAMS
SIGMET SIGMET | PFP PRELIMINARY FLIGHT PLAN
TAF INTERNATIONAL FT | RA RADAR SUMMARY MAP
WH DECODE AIRPORT IDENTIFIERS | RNS RADAR NARRATIVE SUMMARIES
WST CONVECTIVE SIGMET | AIRMET AIRMET
12PR 12/24 HR FORECAST MAP | SIGMET SIGMET
36PR 36/48 HR FORECAST MAP | TAF INTERNATIONAL FT
| IN AIRPORT INFORMATION
| WH DECODE AIRPORT IDENTIFIERS
| WST CONVECTIVE SIGMET

WeatherMation HELP FILE
2/7/88

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FD FORECAST WINDS ALOFT

Forecast winds aloft, or FD's, are issued twice daily for selected
locations. Forecasts are provided for three time periods and are accessed
by FD, FD2, and FD3.

To access:

Desired Report Example Entry
Individual location FD LSE
Multiple locations FD LSE GRB MSP
State Collective FD WI

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FT TERMINAL FORECASTS

Terminal forecasts are issued for selected airports by the National
Weather Service three times daily. Issuance times vary by time zone and
season. For example, in the central time zone FT's are issued at 0100,
0900, and 1800Z when using standard time.

To access:

Desired Report Example Entry
Single Airport FT MKE
Multiple Airports FT MKE GRB LAX etc
State Collective FT WI

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FP STATE FORECAST

State forecasts are normally issued four times daily in plain language by
the National Weather Service Forecast office in each state.

To access:

Desired Report Example Entry
Current forecast FP WI

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FE STATE EXTENDED FORECAST

Extended forecasts are issued once daily providing a three to five day
forecast for an individual state.

To access:

Report Desired Example Entry

Current forecast FE WI
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FA AREA FORECAST

The Area Forecast, or FA, is issued by the National Weather Service twice
daily providing weather over large geographic areas of the country. A
unique feature of WeatherStar automatically selects the appropriate Area
Forecast for any given airport.

To access:

Report Desired Example Entry
Individual airport FA MKE
State collective FA WI

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12PR 12/24 HOUR FORECAST MAP

The 12/24 hour forecast chart is prepared every six hours providing a
surface map, weather depiction, turbulence, and freezing level forecast.

To access: Type: 12PROG

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36PR 36/48 HOUR FORECAST MAP

The 36/48 hour forecast chart is issued every six hours providing a
surface map forecast as well as a narrative forecast discussion.

To access: Type: 36PROG

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SA SURFACE OBSERVATIONS

Surface observations are available for many airports worldwide. The
observations are normally made hourly with special reports transmitted as
weather conditions warrant. Types of reports include:

SA - scheduled hourly report
SP - special weather report between hourlies
RS - record special (indicates significant weather change at scheduled
report time)

To access:

Desired Report Example Entry
Single city SA MKE
Multiple Cities SA MKE MSP GRB etc
State Collective SA WI

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SD RADAR OBSERVATIONS

Radar observations, or SD's, are prepared by the National Weather Service
hourly between 25 and 35 minutes after the hour.

To access:

Desired Report Example Entry
Individual radar SD EEW
Multiple radars SD EEW DSM MSP
State Collective SD WI

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AC AC (Convective Outlook)

The National Weather Service Severe Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City
prepares a general and severe weather outlook twice daily at approximately
09z and 15z which provides an forecast of where thunderstorms will develop
over the next 24 hours.

To access: Type AC

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DE WEATHER DEPICTION MAP

The Weather Depiction chart is compiled from surface observations and
issued every three hours providing a graphic view of IFR/VFR/MVFR
conditions.

To access: TYPE: DE

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ENR ENROUTE BRIEFING

WeatherStar contains a special program to provide an aviation weather
briefing between any two airports in the United States. By entering a
city pair, you will receive enroute surface observations, terminal
forecasts and Notams for origin and destination, and forecast winds aloft
along the route.

To access:

Desired Reports Example Entry
Briefing for a flight from ENR MSN RST
Madison, WI to Rochester,
MN.

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PILOT DESTINATION BRIEFING

WeatherStar contains a special program for destination information
providing the last three surface reports, terminal forecast, and Notams.

To access:

Desired Report Example Entry
Individual airport PILOT GRB
Multiple airports PILOT GRB MSP LAX etc


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PIREP PILOT REPORTS

Pilot reports are issued as received by FAA facilities.

To access:

Desired Report Example Entry
Individual airport PIREP EAU
Multiple airports PIREP EAU MSN HON etc
State collective PIREP WI

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NO NOTAMS

NOTAMS, or Notice to Airmen, messages are issued as required to advise
pilots of airport or runway closures, inoperative navigational aids,
flight restrictions, and other pertinent data for safe aircraft
operations.

To access:

Report Desired Example Entry
Individual airport NO GRB
Multiple airports NO GRB MSN ORD etc
State collective NO WI
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RA RADAR SUMMARY MAP

The radar summary chart is prepared hourly utilizing weather radar reports
from the National Weather Service radar sites.

To access: Type: RA

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RNS RADAR NARRATIVE SUMMARY

A narrative summary is prepared by National Weather Service radar
operators hourly when precipitation is detected at the radar site.

To access:

Desired Report Sample Entry

Individual Radar Site RNS EEW
Multiple Radars RNS EEW MSP HON
By State RNS WI

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AIRMET AIRMETS

AIRMETS are issued by the National Weather Service when weather conditions
are potentially hazardous for light aircraft.

To access:

Desired Report Example Entry
Current Airmets AIRMET

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SIGMET SIGMETS

Sigmets are issued by the National Weather Service when weather conditions
are present that are hazardous to all sizes of aircraft.

To access:

Report Desired Example Entry
Current SIGMETS SIGMET

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TAF INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL FORECASTS

International terminal forecats, or TAF's, are available through
WeatherStar for selected airports worldwide. They are scheduled four times
daily beginning at 0000Z, 0600Z, 1200Z, and 1800Z. Decoding information
may be obtained in AC 00-45C (Aviation Weather Services).

To access:

Desired Report Example Entry
Single Airport TAF KMSP
Multiple Airports TAF CYYZ KMSP KORD etc

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IN AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airport data provided by the FAA is available through WeatherStar for
flight planning purposes.

To access:

Report Desired Example Entry
Individual airport INFO MSN




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WH DECODING AIRPORT IDENTIFIERS

WeatherStar is programmed to provide airport locations from airport
identifiers (3 letter/digit).

Required report Example Entry
Decode a location WH MSN
identifier. (i.e. MSN)

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WST WST (Convective Sigmets)

Convective Sigmets are issued by the National Weather Service Severe
Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City whenever significant areas of
thunderstorm activity are present.

To access:

Desired Report Example Entry
Current Convective Sigmets WST
SAMPLE QUERY RESULTS FROM WEATHER-MATION
for 2/7/88

WeatherMation(tm) >FP MN
KMSP 072230
STATE FORECAST FOR MINNESOTA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL MN
400 PM CST SUN FEB 7 1988
...SNOW ADVISORY FOR THE WEST LATE TONIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING...
...SNOW ADVISORY FOR THE EASTCENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST MONDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH WESTCENTRAL AND NORTHWEST LATE MONDAY AND
MONDAY NIGHT...
TONIGHT...SNOW SPREADING ACROSS THE STATE BY DAWN. LOWS FROM
18 BELOW NORTHEAST TO ZERO SOUTHWEST.
MONDAY...SNOW ENDING IN THE WEST BY AFTERNOON BUT CONTINUING EAST.
TURNING WINDY AND COLDER IN THE WEST LATE WITH POSSIBLE BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS. HIGHS FROM 20 SOUTHWEST TO SINGLE DIGITS NORTHEAST.
MONDAY NIGHT...POSSIBLE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN MUCH OF THE WEST
WITH SNOW DIMINISHING TO FLURRIES EAST. COLDER. LOWS FROM ZERO TO
20 BELOW.
TUESDAY...SUNNY AND COLDER. HIGH FROM 5 BELOW TO 10 ABOVE

WeatherMation(tm) >FE MN

KMSP 072241
MNZ000-082245-
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR MINNESOTA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL MN
445 PM CST SUN FEB 7 1988
-WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY...VERY COLD. FAIR SKIES. LOWS FROM 25 BELOW
NORTHEAST TO 8 BELOW SOUTHWEST. HIGHS FROM ZERO TO 10 ABOVE.
FRIDAY...WARMER WITH CHANCE OF SNOW. LOWS FROM 5 BELOW TO 5 ABOVE.
HIGHS IN 20S.
$$
NAISTAT

WeatherMation(tm) >FD DLH

DATA BASED ON 071200Z
VALID 080000Z FOR USE 2100-0600Z. TEMPS NEG ABV 24000
FT 3000 6000 9000 12000 18000 24000 30000 34000 39000
DLH 3026 3138-24 3150-25 3160-29 3181-34 3193-44 3191-54 3189-57 3086-57

WeatherMation(tm) >WH DLH

DLH is DULUTH, MN
Airport name: DULUTH INTL
Latitude: 46x50'00.2"N Longitude: 092x11'13.8"W
Elevation: 1430 Surveyed
Navaid name: DULUTH
Elevation: 1430 Latitude: 46x48'36.0"N Longitude: 092x12'49.6"W
Class: H-VORTAC Type: VORTAC VOR: H
Frequency: 112.60

WeatherMation(tm) >IN DLH

DLH is DULUTH, MN
Airport name: DULUTH INTL
Manager name: JOHN GRINDEN
Mgr address: DULUTH INTL ARPT
DULUTH, MN 55811
Mgr phone no.: (218) 727-2968
Latitude: 46x50'00.2"N Longitude: 092x11'13.8"W
Elevation: 1430 Surveyed
Attended: ALL ALL ALL
Fuel available: A 100
Mag var: 02E Pattern Alt (whole feet AGL): N / A
Tower: YES Engine repairs: Major Airframe repairs: Major
Lights: DUSK-DAWN Issuing Notam city id: DLH Notam 'D': YES
Unicom: 122.950
Nearest FSS at: HIB Phone: Local call, dial 722-1141
Airport is NW 5 nautical miles from the Central Business District.
Customs available: NO

DLH is DULUTH, MN
Navaid name: DULUTH
Elevation: 1430 Latitude: 46x48'36.0"N Longitude: 092x12'49.6"W
Class: H-VORTAC Type: VORTAC VOR: H
Frequency: 112.60

WeatherMation(tm) >FD DLH

DATA BASED ON 071200Z
VALID 080000Z FOR USE 2100-0600Z. TEMPS NEG ABV 24000
FT 3000 6000 9000 12000 18000 24000 30000 34000 39000
DLH 3026 3138-24 3150-25 3160-29 3181-34 3193-44 319154 318957 308657

WeatherMation(tm) >SD DLH

Radar Observations information for "DLH" is unavailable.


WeatherMation(tm) >PILOT DLH

DLH SA 2250 CLR 15 232/0/-16/3011/008/DRFTG SNOW
DLH SA 2150 CLR 15 227/1/-15/3015G19/007/DRFTG SNOW
DLH SA 2050 CLR 15 212/2/-15/2918G23/003/FEW SC DRFTG SNOW/ 210 1500

DLH FT 071818 CLR 3118 OCNL 20 SCT. 23Z 250 -BKN 2608. 08Z C80 OVC
2006. 12Z MVFR CIG S

No current NOTAMS for "DLH" on record.

WeatherMation(tm) >FT DLH

DLH FT 071818 CLR 3118 OCNL 20 SCT. 23Z 250 -BKN 2608. 08Z C80 OVC
2006. 12Z MVFR CIG S

WeatherMation(tm) >SA DLH

DLH SA 2250 CLR 15 232/0/-16/3011/008/DRFTG SNOW

WeatherMation(tm) >FA DLH

CHIH FA 071945
HAZARDS VALID UNTIL 080800
ND SD NE KS MN IA MO WI LM LS MI LH IL IN KY
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FLT PRCTNS...ICG...MO WI LM MI LH IL IN KY
...TURBC...NE KS MN IA MO WI LM LS MI LH IL IN KY
...IFR...MI LS LM LH
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TSTMS IMPLY PSBL SVR OR GTR TURBC SVR ICG AND LLWS
NON MSL HGTS NOTED BY AGL OR CIG
-
THIS FA ISSUANCE INCORPORATES THE FOLLOWING AIRMETS STILL IN
EFFECT...WHISKEY 2
CHIS FA 071945
SYNOPSIS VALID UNTIL 081400
-
UPR TROF CONTS OVR AREA WITH FAST MOVG S/WVS MOVG ACRS RGN. AT
19Z CDFNT APN-ORD-MKC-BFF LN WITH SFC TROF MKC-CDS-MRF. HIGH OVR
SERN ND. BY 14Z CDFNT LOZ-FAM-MKC BCMG WRMFNT MKC-ABR. LOW PRES
NERN SD WITH CDFNT ABR-SHR. LOW PRES TROF PIR-DHT-MRF. HIGH PRES
OVR SERN MI
CHII FA 071945
ICG AND FRZLVL VALID UNTIL 080800
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MO WI LM MI LH IL IN KY
FROM MQT TO SLK TO ALB TO BKW TO BNA TO OSW TO BDF TO MQT
LGT OCNL MDT RIME ICGICIP SFC TO 150. CONDS IPVG BY 08Z.
SEE BOS FA FOR DETAILS IN THAT AREA.
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FRZLVL...AT OR NR SFC THRUT...XCP TIL 02Z FRZLVL 040-060 SWRN
NE AND WRN KS
CHIT FA 071945
TURBC AND LLWD VALID UNTIL 080800
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NE KS MN IA MO WI LM LS MI LH IL IN KY
FROM INL TO CAR TO YSJ TO LYH TO HRO TO ICT TO INL
OCNL MDT TURBC BLO 180 DUE FNTL SYS AND UPR TROF MOVG THRU AREA.
CONDS SPRDG EWD AND CONTG BYD 08Z.
SEE BOS FA FOR DETAILS IN THAT AREA.
-
NE KS MN IA MO WI LM LS MI LH IL IN KY
FROM YQT TO YVV TO FWA TO BHM TO SPS TO INL TO YQT
LGT OCNL MDT TURBC 180-400 DUE UPR TROF MOVG THRU AREA. CONDS
IPVG WRN PTN BUT CONTG ERN PTN BYD 08Z.
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LLWS POTENTIAL INVOF CDFNT MOVG THRU AREA
CHIC FA 071945
SGFNT CLDS AND WX VALID UNTIL 080800...OTLK 080800-081400
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IFR...MI LS LM LH
FROM YQT TO CAR TO MLT TO SLT TO SBN TO GRB TO IWD TO YQT
OCNL CIG BLO 10 OVC VSBY BLO 3 IN CLDS PCPN AND FOG. CONDS IPVG
FROM W AND ENDG BY 08Z.
SEE BOS FA FOR DETAILS IN THAT AREA.
-
ND
WRN THIRD CIG 40-60 BKN-OVC. BY 01-03Z CIG 20-30 BKN-OVC 3-5S-
LCL CIG BLO 10 OVC VSBY BLO 3S-F. CNTRL AND ERN THIRDS SCT CI.
WRN PTN BY 22-00Z CIG 40-60 BKN-OVC WITH CONDS SPRDG ACRS AREA
BY BY 02-04Z. BCMG WRN PTN BY 03-05Z CIG 20-30 BKN-OVC LCL CIG
BLO 10 OVC VSBY BLO 3S-F. TOPS LYRD 170. OTLK...IFR CIG S.
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SD
XTRM W CIG 30-50 BKN-SCT 80-100 BKN-OVC. BY 02-04Z OCNL CIG 15-
25 BKN-OVC 3-5S-. RMNDR 100-120 SCT-BKN. BY 02-04Z CNTRL PTN
80-100 BKN-SCT OCNL CIG 30-50 OVC 3-5S-. CONDS SPRDG INTO ERN
PTN BY 05-07Z. TOPS TO 180. OTLK...MVFR CIG WND.
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NE
100-120 SCT. OCNL AGL 40-60 SCT-BKN. OTLK...VFR.
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KS
OCNL AGL 40-60 SCT OTRW SCT-BKN CI. OTLK...VFR.
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MN
AGL 10-20 SCT-BKN OCNL VSBY 3-5BS LCL VSBY BLO 3BS. BY 00-02Z
SCT CI. WRN PTN BY 05-07Z 80-100 BKN-OVC 150. OTLK...MVFR CIG S
BCMG IFR CIG S SRN PTN BY 12Z.
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IA
OCNL AGL 20-30 SCT-BKN NERN PTN OTRW SCT CI. BY 00-01Z 100-120
SCT-BKN. OTLK...VFR...XCP MVFR CIG S N CNTRL.
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MO
NWRN PTN AGL 20-30 SCT-BKN. 00-02Z 100-120 SCT. RMNDR CIG 20-30
BKN-OVC WDLY SCT SW-. BY 02-04Z AGL 30-50 SCT 100-120 SCT LYRS
OCNL BKN. TOPS TO 180. OTLK...VFR.
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WI
CIG 20-30 BKN-SCT 80-100 BKN. OCNL 3-5S-BS. BY 23-01Z SCT CI.
OTLK...VFR...XCP MVFR CIG S NWRN PTN.
-
LM LS MI LH
OCNL CIG BLO 10 OVC VSBY BLO 3S-BS. OTRW CIG 20-30 BKN-SCT 50-
70 BKN-OVC. SFC WND OCNL SWLY 25G40 BCMG NWLY 25G40 W OF CDFNT.
TOPS TO 110. OTLK...MVFR CIG SW.
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IL
CIG 30-50 BKN-OVC OCNL CIG 20-30 OVC 3-5SW-. NRN PTN BY 23-01Z
AGL 20-30 SCT 100-120 SCT LYRS OCNL BKN. CONDS SPRDG ACRS RMNDR
BY 05-07Z. TOPS TO 150. OTLK...VFR.
-
IN
NRN PTN CIG 20-30 OVC-BKN SCT 3-5SW-. BY 02-04Z AGL 20-30 SCT
100-120 SCT LYRS OCNL BKN WDLY SCT SW-. SRN PTN CIG 40-60 BKN-
OVC 100-120 OVC-BKN. WDLY SCT SW-. BY 02-04Z AGL 40-60 SCT 100-
120 SCT LYRS OCNL BKN. TOPS TO 160. OTLK...VFR.
-
KY
WRN AND NRN PTNS 80-100 BKN-OVC OCNL 30-50 OVC-BKN WDLY SCT SW-.
BY 04-06Z AGL 30-50 SCT 100-120 SCT LYRS OCNL BKN. RMNDR 100-
120 SCT-BKN. BY 00-02Z AGL 30-50 SCT-BKN 100-120 BKN-SCT. TOPS
TO 160. OTLK...VFR