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Learning
Understand aviation weather, from the meaning of vertical coordinates to reading map layers and flight profiles.
Aviation weather fundamentals
Start with vertical coordinates: they connect flight altitude, terrain and atmospheric forecast levels.
Altitudes and flight levels in aviation
Why AGL, AMSL and FL describe different quantities, how altimeter settings work, and which level to use in a weather model.
- Distinguish height above terrain, altitude above sea level and flight level.
- Understand QNH, QFE, STD and transitions between altitudes and flight levels.
- Read NOAA GFS levels and relate them to a flight altitude.
NOAA GFS levels: PV, AGL and special surfaces
The complete level inventory of two checked GFS files and the GRIB2 surface-type reference: PV, pressure above ground, sigma, hybrid, tropopause and cloud layers.
- Understand PV, pressure-above-ground layers, sigma and hybrid coordinates.
- Find any of the 130 level labels in the checked GFS file pair.
- Distinguish a product inventory from the complete GRIB2 surface classification.
NOAA models: choosing one for your task
GFS, GEFS, AIGFS, AIGEFS, HGEFS and NAEFS: what they are for, how their forecasts differ and how to read ensemble products on the portal.
- Choose models for point weather, routes and planning.
- Distinguish a single forecast, ensemble mean and spread.
- Compare matching valid times, levels and parameters.
How the learning guides work
Each article explains the terminology, illustrates it and works through examples. Expandable self-check answers and primary sources follow. For step-by-step interface instructions, open How to use.
Portal usage scenarios