Originally Posted by
Semicolon
Assume that the w/v in a TAF is reported as 31029G39. I have always assumed that this means the mean windspeed is 29 kts with maximum gusts of 39 kts. I know that gusts do not need to be reported unless they are >10 kts more than the mean, but now have been told that there is a 10 kt tolerance on reporting of gusts: this means that on a report of gusts of 39 kts, there is a possibility that gusts may reach 49 kts. Anyone care to comment?
Are you talking METARs or TAFs here? METARs are reported, TAFs are forecast. It doesn't make much different to the use of the Gxx element.
In a METAR, Gxx menas that xx is the maximum windspeed detected in the 10 mins prior to the observation.
In a TAF, Gxx means that xx is the maximum windspeed forecast.
There's no "10 kt tolerance".