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GLEIM ONLINE GROUND SCHOOL

SUBUNIT 8.8: LOW-LEVEL AND
HIGH-LEVEL PROGNOSTIC CHARTS
DETAILED OUTLINE INFORMATION

Short-Range Surface Prognostic (PROG) Chart

1. Short-Range Surface Prognostic (PROG) Charts provide a forecast of surface pressure
systems, fronts, and precipitation for a 2-day period.
a. The forecast area covers the 48-contiguous states, the coastal waters, and portions of
Canada and Mexico.
b. The forecasted conditions are divided into four forecast periods: 12, 24, 36, and
48 hours.
1) Each chart depicts a “snapshot” of weather elements expected at the specified
valid time.
2. PROGs are very similar to surface analysis charts.
a. All of the symbols depicted on both charts are the same.
b. The primary difference between the two charts is that PROGs are forecast charts,
whereas the surface analysis chart is a “current conditions” chart.
1) Additionally, PROG charts do not feature station model plots.
c. Think of the PROG as a “future” version of the surface analysis chart.
3. Issuance
a. The 12- and 24-hour charts are issued four times a day and are termed “Day 1”
PROGs.
b. The 36- and 48-hour charts are issued twice daily and are termed “Day 2” PROGs.

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2 Subunit 8.8: Detailed Outline Information

4. A PROG is reproduced below.

5. Plotted Data
a. Pressure Systems
1) Pressure systems are depicted by pressure centers, troughs, isobars, drylines,
tropical waves, tropical storms, and hurricanes using standard symbols.

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 Subunit 8.8: Detailed Outline Information 3

2) Isobars are denoted by solid, thin gray lines and labeled with the appropriate
pressure in millibars.
3) The central pressure is plotted near the respective pressure center.
b. Fronts
1) Fronts are depicted to show their forecast position at the chart valid time.
a) Again, standard chart symbols are used (see image on the previous page).
2) Because frontal movement causes significant changes in weather, pressure, and
wind, pilots should carefully consider the forecasted frontal depictions and plan
their flight accordingly.
c. Precipitation
1) Precipitation areas are enclosed by thick, solid green lines.
2) Standard precipitation symbols are used to identify precipitation types.
a) These symbols are positioned within or adjacent to the associated area of
precipitation.
b) If adjacent to the area, an arrow will point to the area with which they are
associated.

3) A mix of precipitation is indicated by the use of two pertinent symbols separated

by a slash.
4) A bold, dashed gray line is used to separate precipitation within an outlined area
with contrasting characteristics.
a) EXAMPLE: A dashed line would be used to separate an area of snow from
an area of rain.

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4 Subunit 8.8: Detailed Outline Information

5) Precipitation characteristics are further described by the use of shading.

a) Shading or lack of shading indicates the expected coverage of the
precipitation.
i) Shaded areas indicate the precipitation is expected to have more
than 50% (broken) coverage.
ii) Unshaded areas indicate 30-50% (scattered) coverage.

Low-Level Significant Weather (SIGWX) Chart

1. The Low-Level Significant Weather (SIGWX) Chart provides a forecast of aviation weather
hazards.
a. The charts are primarily intended to be used as guidance products for preflight
briefings.
b. Each chart depicts a “snapshot” of weather expected at the specified valid time.
2. The forecast domain covers the 48 contiguous states and the coastal waters for altitudes
24,000 ft. MSL (FL240 or 400 millibars) and below.
3. The figure below is an example of this product.

4. SIGWX charts are issued four times per day by the Aviation Weather Center (AWC).
a. Two charts are issued: a 12-hour and a 24-hour chart.

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 Subunit 8.8: Detailed Outline Information 5

5. Low-Level SIGWX Charts depict weather flying categories (VFR, IFR, etc.), turbulence, and
freezing levels. Icing is not specifically forecast.
a. See the chart symbol legend below.

6. Flying Categories
a. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) areas are outlined with a solid red line.
b. Marginal Visual Flight Rules (MVFR) areas are outlined with a scalloped blue line.
c. Visual Flight Rules (VFR) areas are implied and therefore not depicted.
7. Turbulence
a. Areas of moderate or greater turbulence are enclosed by bold, dashed yellow lines.
b. Turbulence intensities are identified by standard symbols, as shown in the figure
above.
c. Turbulence height is depicted by two numbers separated by a solidus (/).
1) EXAMPLE: An area on the chart with turbulence indicated as 240/100
indicates the turbulence can be expected from the top at FL240 to the base at
10,000 feet MSL.
2) When the base height is omitted, the turbulence is forecast to reach the surface.
a)
EXAMPLE: An indication of 080/ identifies a turbulence layer from the
surface to 8,000 feet MSL.
3) Turbulence associated with thunderstorms is not depicted on the chart.
d. The intensity symbols and height information may be located within or adjacent to the
forecast areas of turbulence.
1) If located adjacent to an area, an arrow will point to the associated area.

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6 Subunit 8.8: Detailed Outline Information

8. Freezing Levels
a. If the freezing level is at the surface, it is depicted by a blue saw-toothed symbol.
b. Freezing levels above the surface are depicted by fine, green dashed lines labeled in
hundreds of feet MSL beginning at 4,000 feet using 4,000 foot intervals.
1) If multiple freezing levels exist, these lines are drawn to the highest freezing
level.
a) For example, 80 identifies the 8,000-foot freezing level contour.
b) The lines are discontinued where they intersect the surface.
c. The freezing level for locations between lines is determined by interpolation.
1) EXAMPLE: The freezing level midway between the 4,000 and 8,000 foot lines is
6,000 feet.

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