SYD METAR TODAY 21/01

[blueloo]

Anyone shed some light on the extra fields?


METAR TTF METAR YSSY 202300Z 09008KT 9000 -RA SCT022 BKN030 23/18 Q1016
RMK RF00.0/000.0 LIGHTNING DETECTED 15NM TO NW THAT TS HAS
DISSIPATED, ANOTHER TS 12NM TO N IS MOVING E SLOWLY AND
WEAKENINGVER:2.2M2.02.28
SP30/10/10/10/5/2/99/00/01/00/1500/8000/WAP:10
MSG:1877/293/000/339
FM2300 09012KT 8000 -SHRA FEW015 SCT020

[VH-MLE]

Hi blueloo,

Try calling Aviation Forecasting on [02] 9296 1526 - they might be able to explain it. I would doubt that the entire TTF, as written, would be heard if obtained by radio (e.g. AERIS) as there appears to be some form of code being used.

I would be grateful to know too if anyone has the answer...

Cheers.

VH-MLE

[Cirronimbus]

I think the "VER:2.2..." relates to the version of the software the AWS is using.

The "SP30..." part might be an internal quality control thing to monitor performance of some of the sensors (I think).

The "MSG..." part relates to the message number or sequence number of the message(s).

Those are meant for internal use at the BoM (I think) so they can monitor performance of their equipment. Probably included with the original METAR and should have been stripped before the TTF is added and diseminated. Those extra bits are of no use to us out in the real world and probably should have been deleted.

That is my guess anyway. Hope that helps?

[stevep64]

A lot of new BoM observers finished their training late last year and are now out in the field. Could just be a newbie mistake. :\

[Cirronimbus]

I think that extra stuff should have been deleted automatically. Nothing to do with 'newbies'. Just a glitch. Automatic stuff does that.

It was good to see that the observer did actually make the effort to report storms in the area. Doesn't always happen.

I like to see that info provided; I think it helps.

What do others think?

[Homesick-Angel]

Its probably good to have as much info in a TTF as possible as it is the most current report, but Id say with particular TS cells they move far too quickly (in general) to be trying to pinpoint them within the 3 hour validity period. Surely the onboard wx detection equipment on most aircraft going into YSSY would be pretty advanced and able to pick up any concerning stuff?

[Capn Bloggs]

I'd agree with Homesick Angel. The decision to approach/land will be made using the onboard radar. All I need to know is that "they are in the area". IOW, too much information in that TTF that is probably going to change before I get there. Now if it was on the ATIS ie updated regularly (and as happens eg "Lightning observed to SW") then that's helpful.

[maggot]

^^ I agree with that sentiment however the TS obs are just for that moment, the next three hours are reflected in the trend section.

[compressor stall]

I asked someone who knows...

The gumph is talking about the status of the AWS, and the met console machine that sent out the data but usually that stuff is truncated automatically. Obviously a glitch.