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Meteorology

Browse Meteorology terms for pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew and aviation learners.

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Alta Pressão

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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Altitude de pressão

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.

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antigeada

Application of fluid to prevent ice formation during ground operations or flight.

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Atmosfera padrão internacional

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.

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atrito da pista

Measurement of friction coefficient between tires and runway; indicates braking performance.

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ação de frenagem

Pilot- or airport-reported assessment of runway surface stopping quality: good/medium/poor/nil.

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Baixa Pressão

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.

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Barbela de 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.

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base das nuvens

Lowest altitude of the visible cloud layer, reported as base of scattered, broken, overcast.

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Carta de Altitude

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.

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Carta de Análise de Superfície

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.

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Carta de 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.

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Carta Prognóstica

A weather chart produced by meteorological authorities that forecasts the expected positions of pressure systems, fronts, and significant weather for a specified future time.

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cisalhamento de vento em baixa altitude

Wind shear occurring below 2 000 ft AGL, especially hazardous during takeoff and landing phases.

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Configuração do Altímetro

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).

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Configuração do altímetro para elevação do aeródromo

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.

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Configuração do altímetro para pressão ao nível do mar

The altimeter setting that corresponds to the atmospheric pressure at mean sea level. Referred to as QNH in ICAO phraseology.

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Configuração do altímetro usando pressão padrão

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.

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corrente de jato

A narrow, fast-flowing air current in the upper atmosphere, typically between 20 000 and 50 000 ft, affecting cruise performance.

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descongelamento

Removal of existing frost, ice or snow from aircraft surfaces before flight.

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Desvio da atmosfera padrão internacional

The difference between the actual atmospheric temperature and the standard temperature defined by the International Standard Atmosphere at a given altitude.

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Diagrama 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.

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Formação de gelo

The accumulation of ice on aircraft surfaces due to supercooled water droplets, which can affect aerodynamics and instrument performance.

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Frente Fria

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.

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Frente Ocluída

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.

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Frente Quente

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.

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geada mista

Presence of both rime and clear ice types on aircraft surfaces.

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Gelo Granulado

The formation of rough, milky, opaque ice due to rapid freezing of supercooled water droplets on aircraft surfaces.

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Gelo Transparente

The formation of smooth, transparent ice on aircraft surfaces, resulting from slow freezing of large supercooled water droplets.

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gota grande superresfriada

Liquid droplets below freezing point that can remain liquid until striking an object.

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Informação meteorológica significativa

A weather advisory issued by a Meteorological Watch Office concerning significant en‑route weather hazards affecting flight safety.

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Informação meteorológica significativa cinza vulcânica

A SIGMET concerning volcanic ash clouds that may affect en‑route flight safety.

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Inversão térmica

A meteorological condition where temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing, which can trap pollutants and affect aircraft climb performance.

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Mensagem de Vento e Temperatura em Altitude

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.

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microexplosão

A small, intense downdraft producing damaging winds near the ground, hazardous to aircraft during takeoff or landing.

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NOTAM de neve

Special NOTAM issued when snow, ice or slush significantly affects aerodrome movement areas.

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nuvem altocumulus castellanus

Medium-level turreted cloud with rising towers indicating mid‑level instability, possible precursor to thunderstorms.

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nuvem cumulonimbus

Towering vertical cloud with significant turbulence, precipitation, and lightning potential.

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nuvem cumulonimbus embutida

Cumulonimbus cloud obscured within other cloud layers, not visually identifiable, but with severe turbulence and precipitation.

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nuvem cúmulo torreante

Large cumulus cloud with strong vertical development, indicating convective activity, but not yet cumulonimbus.

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Nuvem de 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.

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Nuvem Lenticular Estacionária

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.

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Nível de 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.

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Nível de 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.

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Onda de montanha

A standing atmospheric wave created when stable air flows over a mountain or ridge, often causing turbulence and rotor clouds.

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pista contaminada

Runway with >25% surface covered by standing water ≥3 mm, slush, snow, ice.

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Pressão Barométrica

The atmospheric pressure as measured by a barometer, used to determine altimeter settings and to ensure altitude accuracy during flight operations.

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Previsão de aeródromo terminal

A concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions at an aerodrome for a specified period.

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Previsão de tendência de curto prazo (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.

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Previsão de área para voos de baixa altitude (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.

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rajada

A sudden, brief increase in wind speed, typically varying with rapid fluctuations.

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relatório de condição da pista

Aerodrome-issued report of runway surface condition using RCAM and RWYCC.

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Relatório especial de aeródromo

An unscheduled aerodrome weather report issued when significant meteorological changes occur between routine METARs.

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Relatório meteorológico de aeródromo

Routine coded weather observation for a specific aerodrome at a specific time.

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Serviço Automático de Informações de Terminal (ATIS)

A continuous broadcast of recorded aerodrome information, including weather, runways and NOTAMs, provided to reduce controller-pilot communication workload.

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SIGMET ciclone tropical – Informação meteorológica significativa

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.

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Sistema Automático de Observação do Tempo (AWOS)

An unattended station that continuously measures and broadcasts real-time surface weather elements to pilots and ATC on a discrete frequency.

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Sondagem Atmosférica

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.

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tempo de ação

Estimated time fluid will prevent ice before need for re‑application.

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tesoura de vento

A sudden change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance, hazardous during takeoff and landing.

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teto

Height above ground at which an unbroken or overcast cloud layer exists.

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tropopausa

The boundary layer between troposphere and stratosphere, marked by a temperature inversion, affecting flight levels and turbulence potential.

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trovoada

Convective weather event with thunder, lightning, precipitation and possible severe turbulence.

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turbulência

Irregular atmospheric motion caused by eddies and vertical currents, affecting aircraft stability, comfort, and sometimes control.

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turbulência em ar claro

Turbulence occurring in clear skies, typically at high altitudes near the jet stream, with no visible weather phenomena.

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turbulência moderada

Turbulence that causes changes in altitude and/or attitude but aircraft remains in control; occupants may feel strain against seat belts.

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turbulência 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.

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ventania súbita

Sudden increase in wind speed of at least 15 knots, sustained for at least one minute.

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visibilidade

Greatest distance at which prominent objects are visible and identifiable by day.

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visibilidade da pista

Distance over which runway markings or lights are visible from centreline on approach.

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visibilidade predominante

Greatest visibility value equaled or exceeded for at least half the horizon.

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