User-Defined Weather

Contents

User-defined weather gives you more control over the simulated weather than Weather themes. You can create custom conditions that define where you want to encounter weather, and what type of weather you want across the path of your intended flight. Better yet, you can also create conditions that will cause surprises along the way.

Note: You can also use User-defined weather to modify the conditions set by Weather theme. When you open the Weather dialog box, all of the weather settings will be set to clear skies. When you select a specific weather station (or stations) the weather will be reflected in its settings.

When using weather themes, the weather settings are different at different weather stations. When using one of these weather options, the settings on the Custom or Advanced weather dialog boxes may not match the conditions displayed in the simulator or on the first weather screen. By default the Custom and Advanced weather dialog do not display conditions at individual stations; select the Specific weather station option on the Custom or Advanced dialog boxes to view conditions at individual weather stations.

To open the User-defined weather dialog boxes

  1. On the World menu, click Weather.
  2. On the Weather screen, select the User-defined weather option.
  3. Click Customize to go to the User-defined Weather dialog box.

Note: Your goal is to select the locations where you want to set weather, then choose the weather conditions that you want to appear in those locations.

Using Weather Stations

To create your own weather, first select a weather station or group of stations on the map. (If you want to set the same weather at all locations across the entire world, read the All Weather Stations section below.)

To select a single weather station

To select multiple weather stations

Once you've set weather at specific weather stations, you can define weather at all other stations by clicking the Stations that you have not set option, and then moving the weather sliders. Using this option lets you quickly set weather in the rest of the world without losing the settings you already chose for specific stations.

All Weather Stations

If want to set identical weather conditions at all locations in the entire world, click the All weather stations option and then move the weather sliders. When you select this button and move the weather sliders, any weather you've set at specific weather stations will be lost.

To make quick, broad changes to weather elements

.
Clouds Use the Clouds listbox to select your cloud coverage, selecting from Few, Scattered, Broken, Overcast, or Thunderstorms.
Precipitation Use the Precipitation listbox to select your desired precipitation, selecting from None, Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, or Very High.
Visibility Use the Visibility listbox to select your desired visibility, ranging from 1/16mi / 0.1km to 50mi / 80km
Wind Speed Use the Wind speed listbox to select your desired wind speed, ranging from Light (8kts) to Severe (36kts).
Wind Direction Drag the pointer around the circle to select a wind direction. The wind direction in the center will update as you move the pointer.
Advanced Weather Click Advanced Weather to set more specific weather conditions.

Using the Weather Map

The weather map helps you select locations where you want to set weather. The interactive map displays a variety of information to help you decide where to set the weather.

Use the buttons at the top of the map to zoom in and out, display navigational aids on the map, and print the map.

Icon Function
Zoom in
Zoom out
Center map on your aircraft's current position.
Print the current map.
Display or hide airports.
Display or hide VORs.
Display or hide NDBs.
Display or hide ILS feathers. (To learn more, see the Instrument Lessons in the Flight Academy.)
Display or hide airway intersections.
Display or hide low altitude airways.
Display or hide high altitude airways.
Display or hide airspace boundaries.
Display or hide your aircraft's flight path. (Note: You must create a flight plan before this button will work.)
Display or hide weather stations.
Display or hide weather systems.
Display or hide data tags.
Display or hide topographic features.

Navigating on the Map

If you want to set weather at a station that isn't near your current location, you can scroll to a new location on the map. When you move the pointer to any edge of the map, note that it becomes a large arrow pointing towards the edge of the map. Click the left mouse button to scroll the map.

If the distance between where the map is currently centered and the area where you want to set weather is not great, you may be able to see the new area simply by zooming out.

Selecting Weather Stations

Weather stations appear on the map as a point with a text label showing the station identifier. You can select a single weather station or a group of weather stations.

To select a single weather station

To select multiple weather stations

If you want to set the same weather at all locations everywhere in the world, you don't need to select specific weather stations; you can select the All weather stations option.

Note: You can select a specific weather station or group of weather stations using the weather map. You don't have to position your airplane at the location where you want to set weather.

Advanced Weather

Advanced weather settings give you the greatest degree of control over weather conditions. You can fine tune all the weather variables, experimenting with different combinations of clouds, wind, and other conditions to create the weather you want. Your goal is to select the locations where you want to define weather conditions, and then choose the conditions that you want to appear in those locations.

The Advanced Weather dialog box is divided into four tabs: Clouds, Wind, Temp/Pressure, and Visibility. You can make changes to all of these areas during one visit to the Advanced Weather dialog box, or return again and again to refine the weather.

To use the Advanced weather dialog box

  1. On the World menu, click Weather.
  2. On the Weather screen, click User-defined weather and then click Customize.
  3. On the Weather dialog box, click Advanced.

The Weather Map

First, select a weather station or group of stations on the map. (If you want to set the same weather at all locations across the entire world, see All weather stations below.)

To select a single weather station

To select multiple weather stations

Once you've defined weather at specific weather stations, you can choose to define weather at all other stations by clicking the Stations not already set option and then moving the weather sliders. The Stations not already set option lets you quickly set weather conditions in the rest of the world without losing the weather settings you already chose for specific stations.

All Weather Stations

If just want to set identical weather conditions at all locations for the entire world, click the All weather stations option and then move the weather sliders. When you select this button and move the weather sliders, any weather you've set at specific weather stations will be lost.

Creating and Modifying Cloud Layers

You can create multiple cloud layers containing different types of clouds, and you can adjust the tops and bases of the layers. The Clouds tab also lets you create turbulence in cloud layers, add icing conditions, and modify precipitation levels.

The Clouds tab allows you to view all cloud layers and modify them. Use the Current Layer drop-down box to select any existing cloud layer to view and modify. The altitude in feet (MSL) is show in the title of the layer.

To add a cloud layer

To delete a cloud layer

  1. On the Clouds tab, select the Current Layer you wish to delete to using the drop-down box.
  2. Click the button.
  3. Click OK.

To select a cloud layer

To change a cloud layer's type

  1. On the Clouds tab, select the Current Layer you wish to change to using the drop-down box.
  2. Select a cloud type in the Cloud type listbox.
  3. Click OK.

Cloud Coverage

Cloud coverage applies to the area you've selected for a particular cloud layer. In other words, if you selected only one weather station and then created a cloud layer with Overcast coverage, it will only be overcast above that one station. If you select All weather stations and choose Overcast cloud coverage, the entire world would be overcast.

Coverage Setting Amount of Sky Covered
Few 1/8 to 1/4
Scattered 3/8 to 1/2
Broken 5/8 to 7/8
Overcast Completely covered

To change a cloud layer's coverage

  1. Select the Current Layer you wish to apply the cloud coverage to using the drop-down box.
  2. Select cloud coverage from the Cloud coverage box.
  3. Click OK.

The Tops box determines the highest vertical development of the layer; the Base box specifies where the cloud layer begins. Note that cloud layers are set to altitudes above sea level, not above the ground. If the airport where you want to set the weather is located at 1,000 feet, you must set the first cloud layer higher than 1,000 feet MSL. Cloud layers set at the same level as the ground will not appear as fog.

There are two ways to set the tops and bases of cloud layers.

To change a cloud layer's tops or base

  1. Select the Current Layer you wish to apply the cloud coverage to using the drop-down box.
  2. Use the Numeric Up-Down to select the Tops and Base altitude you want.
  3. Click OK.

Turbulence in Cloud Layers

Turbulence—or instability in the atmosphere—usually manifests itself as bumpy flying conditions. You can add turbulence either to cloud layers or to wind layers.

In aviation, turbulence is defined by its severity:

Light: Loose objects in aircraft remain at rest.
Moderate: Unsecured objects are dislodged. Occupants feel definite strains against seat belts and shoulder straps.
Severe: Occupants thrown violently against seat belts, momentary loss of aircraft control, and unsecured objects tossed about.
Extreme: Aircraft is tossed violently about and impossible to control; extreme turbulence may cause structural damage.

To add turbulence to a cloud layer

  1. Select the Current Layer you wish to apply the cloud coverage to using the drop-down box.
  2. Select a severity in the Turbulence drop-down box.
  3. Click OK.

Icing

Icing is a condition in which moisture in the air turns to a solid form when it strikes a solid surface like an aircraft wing. This can create a critical flight situation, as even a small amount of ice buildup on a wing's surface seriously affects the wing's ability to create lift and keep the airplane aloft. Icing will affect lift, but you will not see the ice build up on the wings.

To add icing to a cloud layer

  1. Select the Current Layer you wish to apply the cloud coverage to using the drop-down box.
  2. Select a severity in the Icing drop-down box.
  3. Click OK.

Precipitation

Precipitation—moisture that falls from clouds in the form of rain or snow—can restrict visibility and create a greater challenge on takeoffs and landings. Precipitation only takes place when a cloud layer is visible.

You can set precipitation for any cloud layer that you create. The precipitation group includes a precipitation Type, a Base altitude, and a Rate.

Two types of precipitation are offered: Rain and Snow (the simulation does not model hail, sleet, or other forms of precipitation). Note: Turning off snow in the Weather dialog box will not make snow on the ground disappear immediately. You'll have to fly away from the area and return or start a new flight before the snow on the ground will disappear.

To add precipitation to a cloud layer

  1. Select the Current Layer you wish to apply the cloud coverage to using the drop-down box.
  2. Select Rain or Snow from the Type list.
    -or-
    Select None if you don't want any precipitation.
  3. Click OK.

The base altitude box defines the altitude (above sea level) where precipitation dissipates or stops. The value in this box is automatically set to the earth's lowest altitude: -1,499 feet. If you leave the box at this setting, any precipitation that you define will fall to the ground; you can set the base altitude higher if you don't want the precipitation to fall all the way to the ground. You can also set the base altitude within a cloud layer or above a lower cloud layer.

To set the precipitation base

  1. Select the Current Layer you wish to apply the cloud coverage to using the drop-down box.
  2. Click in the Base altitude text box and then type an altitude.
  3. Click OK.

You can set the precipitation rate—that is, define how much precipitation is falling—using settings that range from very light to very heavy.

To set the precipitation rate

  1. Select the Current Layer you wish to apply the cloud coverage to using the drop-down box.
  2. Select a precipitation rate in the Rate drop-down box.
  3. Click OK.

Cloud Specifications

The list below details the specifications of the various cloud types that are included.

Type Height Altitude Coverage
Cumulus
Altocumulus Below 3,000 feet Medium 5/8 to complete
Stratocumulus Below 3,000 feet Low to High 5/8 to complete
Cumulus Humilis Below 3,000 feet All 1/8 to 1/2
Cumulus Mediocris Between 3,000 feet and 6,000 feet All All
Cumulus Congestus Between 6,000 feet and 10,000 feet All All
Towering Cumulus Higher than 10,000 feet All All
Cumulonimbus
(Thunderstorms)
Cumulonimbus Calvus Below (or at) 15,000 feet All 1/8 to 1/4; 3/8 to 1/2; 5/8 to 7/8; complete
Cumulonimbus Incus Below 15,000 feet All 1/8 to 1/4; 3/8 to 1/2; 5/8 to 7/8; complete
Stratus
Nimbostratus All (with rain or snow) All All
Altostratus Between 2,000 feet and 5,000 feet Medium 5/8 to complete
Stratus All (without precipitation) All All
Cirrus
Cirrostratus Thin, wispy ice crystals Above 18,000 feet Variable
Cirrocumulus Small, rounded, ice crystals Above 18,000 feet Variable

Creating and Modifying Wind Layers

Have you ever driven a van on the highway in a strong side wind? Even with the friction of the tires on the road, the wind pushes the vehicle around. When flying, you deal with winds not only during takeoff and landing, but also up at higher altitudes. Wind doesn't just push the airplane around like a van on a highway; depending on the direction of the wind and the direction you're flying, the wind might increase or decrease your airspeed.

If you set a strong wind blowing in the same direction that you're traveling, that tailwind will make you fly faster. Conversely, a headwind will slow you down. You can also set winds at right angles to a runway to practice taking off and landing in crosswind situations. For example, on a runway that has a designation number of 9, set a crosswind at 180 or 0 degrees, depending on whether you want the wind blowing from the right or from the left.

Real-world pilots pay close attention to surface winds and winds aloft in their weather briefings. Winds aloft factor into preflight planning, depending on how the wind is blowing at the altitudes where the pilot wants to fly. You can create multiple wind layers, each with different conditions.

Wind Layers

Wind doesn't divide neatly into layers in the real world. Wind layers create changes in wind speed and direction at different altitudes. In the Wind tab you can select, modify, add, or delete different wind layers by using the Current Layer listbox and its respective Add and Delete buttons.

The lowest-level wind layer's wind speed and direction you set will be the same from the surface up to the highest altitude you set for that layer. Any wind layers you create for altitudes above the lowest layer will be true only for the exact altitude set for that layer. The simulator gradually adjusts all values between layers automatically as you move between layers.

Example: If you set the lowest-level wind layer to an upper altitude of 3,000 feet (914 meters) with wind speed of 15 knots and wind direction of 180 degrees, those conditions will apply within that entire layer. If you create a second layer at 9,000 feet (1,524 meters) and set the speed to 25 knots and the direction to 240 degrees, the wind will gradually shift between 3,000 feet and 9,000 feet from the values set for the lower level to the values set for the upper layer. You can make the wind shift more dramatic by increasing the shear strength.
9,000 feet
Wind conditions for upper layers adjust gradually from the conditions set in the layers below to the conditions set above. In the example, from 3,000 ft up to 9,000 ft the wind speed would gradually adjust from 15 knots to 25 knots.
3,000 feet
Wind conditions in the lowest layer, 240 at 25, apply from the surface to the top of layer (in this example, 3,000 ft).

To add wind layers

To delete wind layers

  1. On the Wind tab, select the Current Layer you wish to delete to using the drop-down box.
  2. Click the button.
  3. Click OK.

To select a wind layer

To change wind layer altitude

  1. On the Wind tab, select the Current Layer you wish to change to using the drop-down box.
    2. Click the Altitude text box and type the altitude you want.
  2. Click OK.

To modify a wind layer

  1. On the Wind tab, select the Current Layer you wish to change to using the drop-down box.
  2. Change altitude, speed, direction, gusts, turbulence, or shear strength.
  3. Click OK.

Note: Wind speeds increase as your aircraft moves higher. If you set a wind layer at the surface, however, and set no layers above it, the wind will have a speed of zero above the initial layer.

Wind Direction

Wind direction refers to the direction from which the wind is blowing. If the wind is a northerly wind that means that the wind is blowing from the north towards the south. In aviation, surface winds are reported in degrees of magnetic compass heading. If you listen to the Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) at an airport in the simulator, you'll hear wind reported as something like, "Wind one-eight-zero at one-zero." This means the wind is blowing from 180 degrees magnetic (due south) at ten knots, blowing towards the north.

You can set the wind to help or challenge your flight.

To set the wind direction

  1. On the Wind tab, select the Current Layer you wish to change to using the drop-down box.
  2. Drag the triangle pointer around the Wind Direction compass.
  3. Click OK.

Wind Gusts

Gusts are unpredictable wind surges of short duration. Encountering gusts is especially challenging when taking off or landing.

To set wind gusts

  1. On the Wind tab, select the Current Layer you wish to change to using the drop-down box.
  2. Click the Gusts text box and then type a speed in knots.
  3. Click OK.

Turbulence in Wind Layers

You can set turbulence in wind layers or cloud layers, or in both. If you have wind and clouds set at the same altitude and you set turbulence in both layers, the turbulence you define for the wind layer will take precedence.

Turbulence—or instability in the atmosphere—usually manifests itself as bumpy flying conditions. You can add turbulence either to cloud layers or to wind layers.

In aviation, turbulence is defined by its severity:

Light: Loose objects in aircraft remain at rest.
Moderate: Unsecured objects are dislodged. Occupants feel definite strains against seat belts and shoulder straps.
Severe: Occupants thrown violently against seat belts, momentary loss of aircraft control, and unsecured objects tossed about.
Extreme: Aircraft is tossed violently about and impossible to control; extreme turbulence may cause structural damage.

To set turbulence in a wind layer

  1. On the Wind tab, select the Current Layer you wish to change to using the drop-down box.
  2. Select a severity from the Turbulence list.
  3. Click OK.

Wind Shear

Wind shear—a change in wind speed or wind direction (sometimes both) over a short distance, resulting in a tearing or shearing effect—can occur in a horizontal or vertical direction, and occasionally in both. The change in wind speed and direction between any two wind layers is adjusted gradually as you move from one to the other. You can make these changes more drastic by increasing the shear strength.

To adjust the shear strength

  1. On the Wind tab, select the Current Layer you wish to change to using the drop-down box.
  2. Select the Shear strength using the listbox, ranging from 1/3 to 3/3.
  3. Click OK.

Creating and Modifying Temperature and Pressure Layers

Temperature and atmospheric pressure play an important role in weather formation and aircraft performance. Temperature decreases with an increase in altitude at a rate known as the standard lapse rate. For every 1,000-foot (305-meter) increase in altitude, temperature decreases 3.5° F (2° C) in standard conditions. In some conditions, the temperature will actually increase with an increase in altitude; this is known as a temperature inversion. You can create this kind of condition (or other temperature conditions) by creating temperature layers in the Temp/Pressure tab of the Advanced Weather dialog box.

Temperature Layers

The lowest temperature layer is automatically set to ground level at your current location. You can use this layer to set the temperature on the ground, and then add more layers to create different temperatures at different altitudes. If you use only the lowest layer and don't add any higher layers, the standard lapse rate will apply as you increase in altitude, and the temperature will decrease.

If you chose to set temperature at all weather stations to 80 F while at a high-altitude airport such as Denver, Colorado, and then you flew to an airport at sea level, the temperature would rise as altitude decreased. If you set the temperature at all stations at 80 F while you were at a sea level airport and then flew to Denver, you would see the temperature drop as you increased in altitude.

To add temperature layers

To delete temperature layers

  1. On the Temp / Pressure tab, select the Current Layer you wish to delete to using the drop-down box.
  2. Click the button.
  3. Click OK.

To select a temperature layer

To modify a temperature layer

  1. On the Temp / Pressure tab, select the Current Layer you wish to change to using the drop-down box.
  2. Change the altitude or temperature.
  3. Click OK.

To change a temperature layer's altitude

  1. On the Temp / Pressure tab, select the Current Layer you wish to change to using the drop-down box.
  2. Drag the layer to the altitude you want.
    -or-
    Click the Altitude text box and then type the altitude you want.
  3. Click OK.

Barometric Pressure

The value you set for barometric pressure in the simulator is always set at sea level. It is reported as inches of mercury (Hg). When the barometer reads 29.92, the atmospheric pressure at sea level will push a column of mercury up a glass tube 29.92 inches. As your aircraft climbs, atmospheric pressure decreases. Low pressure areas are often associated with poor weather, high pressure with better weather.

To change the sea level barometric pressure

  1. Click the barometric pressure text box.
  2. Type a value between 25.00 and 35.00.
  3. Click OK.

Hotter temperatures also make the atmosphere less dense. The combination of high temperature and high altitude create a condition called density altitude, a potentially dangerous condition. Pilots need to factor density altitude into their flight planning when flying to airports with this condition.

The Visibility Layer and Fog

Visibility—the ability to see objects at a distance—is limited by a number of factors like cloud layers, fog, and the amount of light. Aviation weather reports describe visibility in miles and fractions of miles.

You can add multiple visibility layers to simulated weather. As with all the weather features, you can choose where you want the effects to appear and how large an area they'll cover. You may want low visibility at one weather station and unlimited visibility by the time you reach another.

To add visibility layers

To delete visibility layers

  1. On the Visibility tab, select the Current Layer you wish to delete to using the drop-down box.
  2. Click the button.
  3. Click OK.

To select a visibility layer

To modify a visibility layer

  1. On the Visibility tab, select the Current Layer you wish to change to using the drop-down box.
  2. Change the altitude or temperature.
  3. Click OK.

To change a visibility layer's altitude

  1. On the Visibility tab, select the Current Layer you wish to change to using the drop-down box.
  2. Click the Altitude text box and then type the altitude you want.
  3. Click OK.

Fog

To create the appearance of fog, use a combination of low clouds and reduced visibility.

To create fog

  1. Add a cloud layer with the Base at ground level and the Tops at 500 to 3,000 feet (152 to 914 meters).
  2. Set the top of the visibility layer at the same altitude as the top of the cloud layer in step 1.
  3. Set the visibility listbox value to 5 miles (8 kilometers) or less, depending on how thick you want the fog to be.
Did You Know?

You can hear weather reports by using the Air Traffic Control feature.

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