Aviation Weather Vocabulary Quiz

BRIEFING

Describe what you observe

Aviation weather vocabulary gives you precise ways to describe conditions: visibility is what you can see, a crosswind is a wind component across a runway, and wind shear is a change in wind over a short distance. Keep the observation separate from an assumption about its cause.

A useful report names the condition and where it was seen or experienced. Add the time, position, level or phase of flight when known and relevant; if a detail is uncertain, say so. A picture alone cannot establish an exact wind speed, cloud height or turbulence severity.

Look at each weather picture and answer the question.
Read the report situations and check the explanations.
Use the cards to practise reporting a condition and its location aloud.

PRACTICE

Work through the exercise

0 done

PRACTICE 01

Read the weather pictures

Q1 What obscures the distant runway in this picture?

Runway lights fade into dense fog near the surface.

A rain shower A snow shower Dense fog A dust cloud

Show answer and explanation

Dense fog. Fog is reducing visibility near the surface; only the closer runway lights are visible.

Q2 Which word describes how far the crew can see along this runway?

Wind shear Turbulence Visibility Temperature

Show answer and explanation

Visibility. Visibility describes the distance at which objects can be seen; here the distant lights disappear in fog.

Q3 What type of cloud is shown towering above the rain?

A tall anvil-shaped storm cloud produces rain and distant lightning.

A cumulonimbus cloud Scattered fair-weather cumulus A low stratus layer Thin cirrus

Show answer and explanation

A cumulonimbus cloud. The tall cloud with an anvil-shaped top, rain and lightning is a cumulonimbus associated with a thunderstorm.

Q4 What is falling beneath the dark storm cloud?

A rain shaft A clear-air gap A cloud base A wind shift

Show answer and explanation

A rain shaft. The visible curtain beneath the cloud is a rain shaft. Its appearance alone does not establish the intensity at the aircraft.

Q5 Look at the windsock relative to the runway. Which wind component does it suggest?

An extended windsock points across the direction of a runway.

A headwind only A crosswind Calm wind A tailwind only

Show answer and explanation

A crosswind. The sock is approximately across the runway axis, suggesting a crosswind component.

Q6 What does the extended windsock directly show?

Turbulence is severe The runway is dry The cloud base is rising The air is moving

Show answer and explanation

The air is moving. The wind is extending the sock. The picture alone does not establish a precise wind speed or turbulence severity.

Q7 What is the white layer on the wing in this picture?

A thin crystalline frost layer covers the upper surface of a parked aircraft wing.

Standing water Smoke Frost Rain

Show answer and explanation

Frost. The picture shows frost on the wing surface. Describe the visible contamination rather than assuming its cause.

Q8 Which message best describes the wing surface in this picture?

“The wing is covered in standing water.” “There is frost on the wing.” “The wing is completely dry.” “There is smoke from the wing.”

Show answer and explanation

“There is frost on the wing.”. The visible white crystalline layer is frost. The sentence states what is observed without inventing a measurement.

Q9 What has collected on the runway in this picture?

Pools of standing water lie on a wet runway.

Standing water Dry pavement Snow drifts A dust cloud

Show answer and explanation

Standing water. The distinct pools show standing water. A wet surface alone does not always show pooling.

Q10 Which description best fits the surface in the picture?

Wet with areas of standing water Dry under broken cloud Covered with frost Dry with dust

Show answer and explanation

Wet with areas of standing water. The runway is wet and visible pools have collected on its surface.

PRACTICE 02

Understand pilot reports

Q1 A pilot reports a sudden change in wind speed and direction over a short distance. What is this?

Visibility Cloud base Wind shear Precipitation

Show answer and explanation

Wind shear. Wind shear is a change in wind speed or direction over a short distance.

Q2 The aircraft experiences repeated bumps in flight. Which word describes the motion?

Dew point Drizzle Mist Turbulence

Show answer and explanation

Turbulence. Turbulence is irregular air movement that can cause the aircraft to experience bumps.

Q3 A brief increase above the prevailing wind speed is called what?

A downdraft report A cloud layer A tailwind A gust

Show answer and explanation

A gust. A gust is a brief increase in wind speed; it is not the same as a steady wind.

Q4 Ice is building on the aircraft in flight. What should the pilot report?

Only the colour of the clouds The icing observed and the aircraft’s position or level Only the destination weather A confirmed equipment fault without checking

Show answer and explanation

The icing observed and the aircraft’s position or level. Describe the icing and where it was encountered, including relevant known details, so the report is useful.

Q5 A pilot says the wind is coming from behind the aircraft. What is it?

A tailwind A headwind A gust front A crosswind

PRACTICE 03

Review ten weather terms

visibility

How far objects can be seen. Example: “Visibility is reduced by fog.”

fog

Cloud near the surface that restricts visibility. Example: “The runway is obscured by fog.”

cloud base

The lower boundary of a cloud layer. Example: “The cloud base appears low.”

cumulonimbus

A tall cloud associated with thunderstorms. Example: “There is a cumulonimbus ahead.”

crosswind

The component of wind across the aircraft’s direction or runway axis. Example: “There is a crosswind on the runway.”

tailwind

The component of wind from behind the aircraft. Example: “We have a tailwind on this leg.”

gust

A brief increase in wind speed. Example: “The wind is gusting.”

turbulence

Irregular air movement that can make flight bumpy. Example: “We are experiencing turbulence.”

wind shear

A change in wind speed or direction over a short distance. Example: “We encountered wind shear on approach.”

icing

Ice accumulating on an aircraft. Example: “We observed ice building on the wing.”

Check your answers and compare your speaking with the model, then see your practice debrief.

DEBRIEF

Your practice debrief

KEEP PRACTISING

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FAQ

Common questions

What aviation weather vocabulary should I learn first?

Start with visibility, fog, cloud base, cumulonimbus, crosswind, tailwind, gust, turbulence, wind shear and icing. Practise each word in a short report with a location.

What is the difference between a gust and wind shear?

A gust is a brief increase in wind speed. Wind shear is a change in wind speed or direction over a short distance. They describe different features of the wind.

What is the difference between fog and a low cloud base?

Fog is cloud near the surface that restricts visibility. Cloud base is the lower boundary of a cloud layer; a low base is not by itself a complete visibility report.

How can I report turbulence or icing in English?

State what you experienced or observed and where, including position, level or phase of flight when known. Add relevant details and say when you are uncertain instead of estimating without evidence.

Can a weather picture give an exact wind speed or cloud height?

No. A picture can suggest conditions, but it does not provide a reliable measurement. Use the available report or instrument information for exact values.

Aviation Weather Vocabulary: Picture Quiz

Describe what you observe

Work through the exercise

Read the weather pictures

Understand pilot reports

Review ten weather terms

Your practice debrief

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Common questions