Alta Pressione
An area of the atmosphere where the pressure is higher than that of the surrounding region, often associated with stable weather, clear skies, and reduced turbulence.
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Meteorology
Browse Meteorology terms for pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew and aviation learners.
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Altitudine di pressione
The altitude indicated by a barometric altimeter set to the standard pressure setting of 1013.25 hPa or 29.92 inHg. Used as a reference for aircraft performance calculations.
View termantighiaccio
Application of fluid to prevent ice formation during ground operations or flight.
View termAtmosfera standard internazionale
A model of the atmosphere based on standard average conditions at sea level, used for calibrating instruments and performance calculations. Defined by ICAO: 15°C, 1013.25 hPa, and lapse rate of 2°C per 1000 ft.
View termattrito pista
Measurement of friction coefficient between tires and runway; indicates braking performance.
View termbase delle nubi
Lowest altitude of the visible cloud layer, reported as base of scattered, broken, overcast.
View termBassa Pressione
An area of the atmosphere where the pressure is lower than that of the surrounding region, often associated with unsettled weather, precipitation, and potential turbulence.
View termCarta del Tempo Significativo
A meteorological chart that displays forecasted significant weather phenomena, including turbulence, icing, and cumulonimbus clouds, relevant for flight safety at specific flight levels.
View termCarta di Analisi Superficiale
A weather chart depicting current meteorological features such as pressure systems, fronts, and precipitation areas at the Earth's surface; essential for flight planning and enroute weather briefing.
View termCarta d’Alta Quota
A meteorological chart depicting wind, temperature, and pressure patterns at specified altitudes above the earth’s surface, used to forecast enroute weather conditions for aviation operations.
View termCarta Prognostica
A weather chart produced by meteorological authorities that forecasts the expected positions of pressure systems, fronts, and significant weather for a specified future time.
View termcorrente a getto
A narrow, fast-flowing air current in the upper atmosphere, typically between 20 000 and 50 000 ft, affecting cruise performance.
View termcumulonembo incorporato
Cumulonimbus cloud obscured within other cloud layers, not visually identifiable, but with severe turbulence and precipitation.
View termcumulus imponente
Large cumulus cloud with strong vertical development, indicating convective activity, but not yet cumulonimbus.
View termDeviazione dall'atmosfera standard internazionale
The difference between the actual atmospheric temperature and the standard temperature defined by the International Standard Atmosphere at a given altitude.
View termDiagramma Skew-T Log-P
A thermodynamic diagram used in meteorology to plot atmospheric soundings, displaying temperature, dew point, and wind profiles with altitude to assess atmospheric stability and forecast weather hazards.
View termdisgelo
Removal of existing frost, ice or snow from aircraft surfaces before flight.
View termefficacia frenante
Pilot- or airport-reported assessment of runway surface stopping quality: good/medium/poor/nil.
View termFronte Caldo
A boundary where a warm air mass advances and rises over a retreating cold air mass, usually resulting in steady precipitation and lower clouds along the front.
View termFronte Freddo
A weather front where a cold air mass advances and displaces a warmer air mass, often producing showers, thunderstorms, and abrupt changes in wind and temperature.
View termFronte Occluso
A composite weather front formed during the process of cyclogenesis when a cold front overtakes a warm front, leading to complex weather patterns including precipitation and changes in wind direction.
View termGhiacciamento
The accumulation of ice on aircraft surfaces due to supercooled water droplets, which can affect aerodynamics and instrument performance.
View termGhiaccio Brinoso
The formation of rough, milky, opaque ice due to rapid freezing of supercooled water droplets on aircraft surfaces.
View termghiaccio misto
Presence of both rime and clear ice types on aircraft surfaces.
View termGhiaccio Trasparente
The formation of smooth, transparent ice on aircraft surfaces, resulting from slow freezing of large supercooled water droplets.
View termgoccia grande soproraffreddata
Liquid droplets below freezing point that can remain liquid until striking an object.
View termImpostazione Altimetro
The current local atmospheric pressure value set in an aircraft’s altimeter to ensure correct indication of altitude above mean sea level, typically given in hectopascals (hPa) or inches of mercury (inHg).
View termInformazione meteorologica significativa ceneri vulcaniche
A SIGMET concerning volcanic ash clouds that may affect en‑route flight safety.
View termInformazioni meteorologiche significative
A weather advisory issued by a Meteorological Watch Office concerning significant en‑route weather hazards affecting flight safety.
View termInversione termica
A meteorological condition where temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing, which can trap pollutants and affect aircraft climb performance.
View termLivello di congelamento
The lowest altitude in the atmosphere at which the air temperature drops to 0°C (32°F), marking the boundary where liquid water can freeze.
View termLivello di Temperatura Significativo
A specific altitude or flight level at which temperature changes are forecast to be significant for flight operations, affecting aircraft performance, icing risk, or fuel management.
View termMessaggio di Vento e Temperatura in Quota
A meteorological report providing forecasted wind direction, wind speed, and temperature at specific altitudes above mean sea level, used for flight planning and fuel calculations.
View termmicroburst
A small, intense downdraft producing damaging winds near the ground, hazardous to aircraft during takeoff or landing.
View termNOTAM neve
Special NOTAM issued when snow, ice or slush significantly affects aerodrome movement areas.
View termnuvola altocumulus castellanus
Medium-level turreted cloud with rising towers indicating mid‑level instability, possible precursor to thunderstorms.
View termnuvola cumulonembo
Towering vertical cloud with significant turbulence, precipitation, and lightning potential.
View termNuvola di Rotor
A turbulent, low-level cloud formation found downwind of mountain ranges, forming in the rotor zone beneath and near mountain waves; indicative of severe turbulence and hazardous for aviation.
View termNuvola Lenticolare Stazionaria
A smooth, lens-shaped cloud that forms at high altitudes in the crest of mountain waves; often stationary, and indicative of significant atmospheric turbulence downwind of mountain ranges.
View termOnda orografica
A standing atmospheric wave created when stable air flows over a mountain or ridge, often causing turbulence and rotor clouds.
View termPennacchio del Vento
A graphic symbol used on meteorological charts to represent wind speed and direction at a specific location and altitude, typically shown as a shaft with barbs and pennants.
View termpista contaminata
Runway with >25% surface covered by standing water ≥3 mm, slush, snow, ice.
View termPressione Barometrica
The atmospheric pressure as measured by a barometer, used to determine altimeter settings and to ensure altitude accuracy during flight operations.
View termPrevisione di tendenza a breve termine (TREND)
A TREND appended to a METAR or SPECI giving expected significant changes in surface wind, visibility, weather or cloud over the next two hours.
View termPrevisione d’area per voli a bassa quota (GAMET)
A GAMET area forecast describing significant weather below FL100 (or FL150 over mountainous terrain) within a FIR, supporting VFR and low-level IFR planning.
View termPrevisione meteorologica aeroporto terminale
A concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions at an aerodrome for a specified period.
View termraffica
A sudden, brief increase in wind speed, typically varying with rapid fluctuations.
View termraffica intensa
Sudden increase in wind speed of at least 15 knots, sustained for at least one minute.
View termRapporto meteorologico aeroportuale
Routine coded weather observation for a specific aerodrome at a specific time.
View termRapporto speciale di aerodromo
An unscheduled aerodrome weather report issued when significant meteorological changes occur between routine METARs.
View termrapporto sulle condizioni della pista
Aerodrome-issued report of runway surface condition using RCAM and RWYCC.
View termRegolazione altimetro all'elevazione dell'aerodromo
The altimeter setting that displays the elevation of the aerodrome as the altitude on the altimeter when on the ground. Referred to as QFE in ICAO terminology.
View termRegolazione altimetro alla pressione al livello del mare
The altimeter setting that corresponds to the atmospheric pressure at mean sea level. Referred to as QNH in ICAO phraseology.
View termRegolazione altimetro con pressione standard
An altimeter setting based on the standard pressure of 1013.25 hPa or 29.92 inHg, used above the transition altitude. Known as QNE in ICAO terminology.
View termServizio automatico di informazioni terminali (ATIS)
A continuous broadcast of recorded aerodrome information, including weather, runways and NOTAMs, provided to reduce controller-pilot communication workload.
View termSIGMET ciclone tropicale – Informazioni meteorologiche rilevanti
A SIGMET issued for a tropical cyclone within or approaching an FIR, including observed or forecast TC position, extent of associated cumulonimbus clouds, movement and intensity.
View termSistema automatico di osservazione meteorologica (AWOS)
An unattended station that continuously measures and broadcasts real-time surface weather elements to pilots and ATC on a discrete frequency.
View termsoffitto
Height above ground at which an unbroken or overcast cloud layer exists.
View termSondaggio Atmosferico
A vertical profile of the atmosphere obtained by balloon or remote sensing, recording temperature, humidity, wind, and pressure at various altitudes for weather analysis and flight planning.
View termtempo di efficacia
Estimated time fluid will prevent ice before need for re‑application.
View termtemporale
Convective weather event with thunder, lightning, precipitation and possible severe turbulence.
View termtropopausa
The boundary layer between troposphere and stratosphere, marked by a temperature inversion, affecting flight levels and turbulence potential.
View termturbolenza
Irregular atmospheric motion caused by eddies and vertical currents, affecting aircraft stability, comfort, and sometimes control.
View termturbolenza in aria limpida
Turbulence occurring in clear skies, typically at high altitudes near the jet stream, with no visible weather phenomena.
View termturbolenza moderata
Turbulence that causes changes in altitude and/or attitude but aircraft remains in control; occupants may feel strain against seat belts.
View termturbolenza severa
Turbulence that causes large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude. Aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Occupants are forced violently against seat belts.
View termvisibilità
Greatest distance at which prominent objects are visible and identifiable by day.
View termvisibilità pista
Distance over which runway markings or lights are visible from centreline on approach.
View termvisibilità prevalente
Greatest visibility value equaled or exceeded for at least half the horizon.
View termwind shear
A sudden change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance, hazardous during takeoff and landing.
View termwind shear a bassa quota
Wind shear occurring below 2 000 ft AGL, especially hazardous during takeoff and landing phases.
View term