GEN 3.5 METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES

1 Responsible Service

1.1 The Aeronautical Meteorological Authority in Estonia is Estonian Transport Administration who arranges the provision of meteorological service for aviation.

Meteorological services for civil aviation are provided by the Estonian Environment Agency (ESTEA).

Estonian Environment Agency Headquarters:

Post:Estonian Environment Agency
Mustamäe tee 33
10616 Tallinn, ESTONIA
Tel:+372 666 0901
AFS:NIL
E-mail:kaur@envir.ee
URL:www.keskkonnaagentuur.ee

Operational hours: MON to FRI 0800 to 1700 LMT.

Weather Forecasting Department:

Post:Estonian Environment Agency
Weather Forecasting Department
Mustamäe tee 33
10616 Tallinn, ESTONIA
Tel:+372 666 0932
Fax:+372 666 0934
AFS:EETNEMHX
E-mail:aviamet@envir.ee
URL:www.ilmateenistus.ee, www.lennuilm.ee

Operational hours: H24

1.2 Meteorological observations and reports at the Estonian international civil aerodromes are provided by the ESTEA (for more detailed information, see para. AD 2.11 of aerodrome concerned).
1.3 The service is provided in accordance with the provisions contained in the Regulation (EU) No. 2017/373 and in the following ICAO documents:
Annex 3 –Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation
Doc 7030 –Regional Supplementary Procedures
Doc 7754 –Europe Air Navigation Plan
Doc 8896 –Manual of Aeronautical Meteorological Practice
Doc 014 –EUR SIGMET Guide

Differences to these provisions are detailed in subsection GEN 1.7.

2 Area of Responsibility

Meteorological service is provided within the Tallinn Flight Information Region (FIR).

3 Meteorological Observations and Reports

The information concerning meteorological observation and reports is given in the Table 3.5.3.

Table GEN 3.5.3 Meteorological observations and reports
Name of station/
Location
indicator
Type and frequency of observation/
automatic observing equipment
Types of MET reports and supplementary information included
Observation system and site(s)
Hours of operation
Climatological information
123456
1) Does not meet the requirements.
2) Due to environmental influences the wind report for RWY 32 is not representative for the wind conditions at TDZ.
KÄRDLA
EEKA
Half-hourly plus special observations.
METAR, SPECI
Automatic Weather Observation System:
Wind sensors: anemometers
174 m FM THR 14;
228 m FM THR 32.2)
RVR: transmissometers
161 m FM THR 14;
249 m FM THR 32.
Ceilometers:
384 m FM THR 14;
922 m FM THR 32.
Temperature and humidity sensor:
174 m FM THR 14.
Barometer:
174 m FM THR 14.
AVBL 1)
KURESSAARE
EEKE
Half-hourly plus special observations.
AUTO METAR and AUTO SPECI outside ATS/MET OPR HR.
METAR, SPECI, AUTO METAR, AUTO SPECI
Automatic Weather Observation System:
Wind sensors: anemometers
350 m FM THR 17;
350 m FM THR 35.
RVR: transmissometers 350 m FM THR 17;
350 m FM THR 35.
Ceilometers:
455 m FM THR 17;
195 m FM THR 35.
Temperature and humidity sensor:
350 m FM THR 17.
Barometer:
350 m FM THR 17.
AVBL
PÄRNU
EEPU
Half-hourly plus special observations.
AUTO METAR, AUTO SPECI
Automatic Weather Observation System:
Wind sensors: anemometers
320 m FM THR 03;
362 m FM THR 21.
RVR: transmissometers
near TDZ 03 and 21.
Ceilometers:
538 m FM THR 03;
538 m FM THR 21.
Temperature and humidity sensors:
320 m FM THR 03;
362 m FM THR 21.
Barometer:
320 m FM THR 03;
362 m FM THR 21.
AVBL 1)
LENNART MERI TALLINN
EETN
Half-hourly plus special observations.
METAR, SPECI,
TREND (2220-0320 O/R),
WS
Automatic Weather Observation System:
Wind sensors: anemometers
351 m FM DTHR 08;
341 m FM THR 26.
RVR: transmissometers
357 m FM  DTHR 08;
1705 m FM THR 26;
344 m FM THR 26.
Ceilometers:
525 m FM DTHR 08;
366 m FM THR 26.
Temperature and humidity sensor: 354 m FM DTHR 08.
Barometer:
351 m FM DTHR 08.
H24
AVBL
TARTU
EETU
Half-hourly plus special observations.
METAR, SPECI,
AUTO METAR
(Outside OPR HR of MET unit)
Automatic Weather Observation System:
Wind sensors: anemometers
308 m FM THR 08;
300 m FM THR 26.
RVR: forward scatterometers near TDZ 08 and 26.
Ceilometers:
176 m FM THR 08;
990 m FM THR 26.
Temperature and humidity sensor: near the wind sensor THR 26.
Barometer:
ATC tower, V floor.
AVBL
ÄMARI
MILITARY
AERODROME
EEEI
Hourly plus special observations.
METAR,
SPECI TREND,
AUTO METAR,
AUTO SPECI
Automatic Weather Observation System:
Wind sensors: anemometers
150 m FM THR 06;
150 m FM THR 24.
RVR: transmissometers near MID, TDZ 06 and 24.
Ceilometers:
900 m FM THR 06;
900 m FM THR 24.
Temperature and humidity sensors:
near THR 06 and THR 24 wind sensors.
Barometers:
150 m FM THR 06 and 150 m FM THR 24.
AVBL
3.1 Meteorological Reports METAR/SPECI
3.1.1 METARs are issued hourly for EEEI and half-hourly for EEKA, EEKE, EEPU, EETN and EETU, and disseminated via AFTN/AMHS. EEEI METARs are also available via e-mail.

For Kärdla aerodrome METARs are available only during hours shown at EEKA AD 2.11 p 2.

For Tartu and Kuressaare aerodrome automated METARs are issued outside of aerodrome operational hours. Messages contain the type indicator AUTO.

Note: Where automatic aerodrome weather observation system is used, the observations can be provided outside operational hours without human intervention. Due to technical limitations and sites of the measurement facilities the automatic aerodrome weather observation system is not able to observe conditions concerning present weather, cloud amount, height and type (///) and visibility (NDV) as accurately as a human observer. This should be noted by the pilots when using automatic weather information.

3.1.2 SPECIs are issued according to criteria and disseminated domestically via AFTN/AMHS.
SPECIs for EEEI are also available via e-mail.
3.1.2.1 Criteria for issuance of Special Meteorological Reports (SPECI).

Special observations are made in addition to routine observations and the reports of special observations are issued whenever changes in accordance with the following criteria occur:

  1. when the mean surface wind direction has changed by 60° or more from that given in the latest report, the mean speed before and/or after the change being 10 kt or more;

  2. when the mean surface wind speed has changed by 10 kt or more from that given in the latest report;

  3. when the maximum value of the wind speed has changed by 10 kt or more from that given in the latest report, the mean speed before and/or after the change being 15 kt or more;

  4. when the maximum value of the wind speed during the past 10 minutes changes to 29 kt (EEKA, EEKE, EEPU, EETU) or to 30 kt (EETN) and further increases by every 10 kt irrespective of wind direction;

  5. when the maximum value of the wind speed during the past 10 minutes changes to:
    • EEEI: 20 kt or more with wind direction
      130° − 170° and 310° − 350°;
    • EEKA: 23 kt or more with wind direction
      030° − 060° and 220° − 250°;
    • EEKE: 23 kt or more with wind direction
      060° − 110°, 120° − 170°, 240° − 290° and
      300° − 350°;
    • EEPU: 23 kt or more with wind direction
      100° − 150° and 280° − 330°;
    • EETN: 25 kt or more with wind direction
      340° − 010° and 160° − 190°;
    • EETU: 23 kt or more with wind direction
      150° − 200° and 330° − 020°;

  6. when the visibility is improving and changes to or passes through one or more of the following values, or when the visibility is deteriorating and passes through one or more of the following values: 800, 1500, 3000 or 5000 m;

  7. when the runway visual range is improving and changes to or passes through one or more of the following values, or when the runway visual range is deteriorating and passes through one or more of the following values: 50, 175, 300, 550 or 800 m;

  8. when the onset, cessation or change in intensity of any of the following weather phenomena or combinations thereof occurs:
    • freezing precipitation,
    • moderate or heavy precipitation (including showers thereof),
    • thunderstorm (with precipitation),
    • dust storm,
    • sandstorm,
    • funnel cloud (tornado or waterspout);
  9. when the onset or cessation of any of the following weather phenomena or combinations thereof occurs:
    • freezing fog,
    • low drifting dust, sand or snow,
    • blowing dust, sand or snow,
    • thunderstorm (without precipitation),
    • squall;

  10. when the height of base of the lowest cloud layer of BKN or OVC extent is lifting and changes to or passes through one or more of the following values, or when the height of base of the lowest cloud layer of BKN or OVC extent is lowering and passes through one or more of the following values:100, 200, 500, 1000 or 1500 ft;

  11. when the amount of a cloud layer below 1500 ft changes:
    • from SCT or less to BKN or OVC, or
    • from BKN or OVC to SCT or less;
  12. when the sky is obscured and the vertical visibility is improving and changes to or passes through one or more of the following values, or when the vertical visibility is deteriorating and passes through one or more of the following values: 100, 200, 500 or 1000 ft.

4 Types of Services

Information on the types of services available at each aerodrome is given in AD 2, subsection AD 2.11.
4.1 Aerodrome Forecasting Services
Meteorological forecasting services for civil aerodromes in Estonia are provided by Estonian Environment Agency.
4.1.1 Aerodrome Forecasts

Aerodrome forecasts and amendments thereto are issued as TAF and disseminated to international OPMET databanks and SADIS centres via AFTN/AMHS.

Table GEN 3.5.4 Aerodrome Forecasts
Aerodrome
Period of validity TAF
Bulletin
TAF issue time
TREND
Lennart Meri Tallinn (EETN)0024, 0606, 1212, 1818FTEO31
30 min before the beginning of period of validity
Available
Kuressaare (EEKE)O/R, 2 HR PNFCEO32
1 HR before the beginning of period of validity
NIL
Kärdla (EEKA)O/R, 2 HR PNFCEO32
NIL
Pärnu (EEPU)O/R, 2 HR PNFCEO32
NIL
Tartu (EETU)O/R, 2 HR PNFCEO32
NIL
Ämari Military Aerodrome
(EEEI)
0024, 0606, 1212, 1818FTEO33
30 min before the beginning of period of validity
Available

For those aerodromes, where TAF is issued O/R:
  • the request should be submitted to ATS unit or meteorological service of aerodrome concerned;
  • at Tartu aerodrome (EETU) request should be submitted to MET office of Tartu Airport;
  • the period of validity of TAF is 6 HR.
  • Kuressaare aerodrome (EEKE) and Tartu aerodrome (EETU) TAF is based on AUTO METAR if it is issued outside MET office OPR HR.
4.1.2 Landing Forecast (TREND)

A landing forecast consist of a concise statement of the expected significant changes in the meteorological conditions at the aerodrome to be appended to METAR.

The period of validity of a TREND forecast is 2 HR from the time of the report which forms part of the landing forecast.

TREND forecast is issued for Lennart Meri Tallinn aerodrome and Ämari Military Aerodrome (see table GEN 3.5.3, EETN AD 2.11 and EEEI AD 2.11).
4.2 Area Forecasts for Low-level Flights

For low-level flights a significant weather prognostic chart SIGWX SFC – 10000 ft with an upper winds/air temperature forecast is issued for fixed valid time 06, 09, 12, 15, 18 UTC and transmitted to the Estonian Air Navigation Services AIM unit 3 HR before validity time.

4.3 Warning Service
4.3.1 Aerodrome Warnings
Warnings for the protection of parked and moored aircraft or of other equipment at the Estonian aerodromes are issued if one or several of the following phenomena are expected to occur at the aerodrome:
  • thunderstorm;
  • hail;
  • squall;
  • freezing precipitation;
  • snow*;
  • strong surface wind**;
  • decrease of air temperature below 0°C***.
* The warning is issued when the moderate or strong snow is expected to last 1 HR or more.
** The warning is issued when the mean speed or gusts of the surface wind are expected to be 39 kt or more.

*** The warning is issued between 1 NOV and 31 MAR when the air temperature is expected to fall below 0°C after a period of thaw.

The warnings are issued in English:
  • EEKA;
  • EEKE;
  • EETN;
  • EETU;
  • EEPU.
4.3.2 Wind Shear Warnings

Warnings of expected existence of wind shear are issued for the Lennart Meri Tallinn aerodrome only and disseminated to the appropriate ATS units.

The wind shear warnings are issued in English.
4.4 Flight Documentation
4.4.1 Flight documentation (incl. meteorological information) for supplying to operators and flight crew members are provided by the Estonian Air Navigation Services AIM unit H24.

Lennart Meri Tallinn airport is served by AIM unit and all other airports are served by the appropriate ATS or MET unit (see part AD 2.11).

4.4.2 The flight documentation comprises:
  • a significant weather prognostic chart (SWM/SWH issued by WAFC),
  • an upper winds and air temperature prognostic charts (WAFC),
  • aerodrome forecasts (TAF, TAF AMD) for the aerodromes of departure and intended landing, and for take-off, en-route and destination alternate aerodromes,
  • aerodrome reports (METAR) and selected special reports (SPECI) for the destination and alternate aerodromes,
  • SIGMET information,
  • area forecast for low-level flights in chart form (SWL – issued by Estonian Environment Agency SIGWX SFC – 10000 ft chart), if appropriate.
4.5 Briefing and/or Consultation Provided
4.5.1 Consultation with forecaster is available by telephone +372 666 0932 in Estonian, English and/or Russian.
4.5.2 Abbreviations used for flight documentation, charts and types of consultation provided at AD 2.11 part.
Charts

S =

surface analysis (current chart)

T =

tropopause chart

U =

upper air analysis (current chart)

SWH =

significant weather high (chart)

P =

prognostic upper air chart

SWM =

significant weather medium (chart)

W =

significant weather chart

SWL =

significant weather low (chart)

Briefing / consultation provided
Types of flight documentation

P =

personal consultation

C =

charts

T =

telephone

CR =

cross-section

TV =

closed circuit television

PL =

abbreviated plain language texts

D =

self-briefing display

TB =

tabular forms

4.5.3 Weather radar images can be obtained via Estonian Environment Agency web site:

5 Notification Required from Operators

NIL

6 Aircraft Reports

6.1 Aircraft operating within Tallinn FIR shall report to ATS observations as soon thereafter as is practicable when the following conditions are encountered:
  1. moderate or severe turbulence; or
  2. moderate or severe icing; or
  3. thunderstorms with or without hail, that are obscured, embedded, widespread or in squall lines; or

  4. other meteorological conditions (e.g wind shear or volcanic ash cloud), are encountered and which in the opinion of the pilot-in-command may affect the safety or markedly affect the efficiency of other aircraft operations.

6.2 When voice communications are used, the elements contained in special air-reports shall be:
Message type designator
Section 1 −Position information
Aircraft identification
Position or latitude and longitude
Time
Flight level or altitude
Section 3 −Meteorological information
Meteorological information from the list a) to d) presented under para. 6.1.

6.3 When reporting aircraft observations of wind shear encountered during the climb-out and approach phases of flight, the aircraft type should be included.
Where wind shear conditions in the climb-out or approach phases of flight were reported or forecasted but not encountered, the pilot-in-command shall advise the appropriate ATS unit as soon as practicable unless the pilot-in-command is aware that the appropriate ATS unit has already been advised by a preceding aircraft.

7 VOLMET Service

NIL

8 SIGMET Service

Table 3.5.8 SIGMET Service
Name of MWO/ Location Indicators
Operational Hours
FIR or CTA Served
Type of SIGMET/Validity
Specific SIGMET Procedures
AIRMET Procedures
ATS Unit Served
Additional Information
12345678
TALLINN/EEMHH24Tallinn FIRSIGMET / 4 HR
NIL
NIL
Tallinn TWR
Tallinn APP
Tallinn ACC
NIL
8.1 General
Estonian Environment Agency carries out the duties of Meteorological Watch Office, including a continuous weather watch within Tallinn FIR and the issuance of SIGMET information.
The SIGMET messages are issued in case of the occurrence or expected occurrence of one or several of the following significant meteorological phenomena:
  • thunderstorm
    • obscured
    • embedded
    • frequent
    • squall line
    • obscured with hail
    • embedded with hail
    • frequent with hail
    • squall line with hail;
  • severe turbulence;
  • severe icing;
  • severe icing due to freezing rain;
  • volcanic ash;
  • radioactive cloud.
The SIGMET messages are issued in plain language using ICAO abbreviations and are numbered consecutively for each day commencing at 00.01 UTC. The period of validity of SIGMET message is not more than 4 HR.

9 Other Automated Meteorological Services

ATIS broadcasts are available for Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport, Tartu Airport and and Ämari Military Aerodrome. According to ICAO Annex 11, Chapter 4, para. 4.3.7 ATIS broadcast shall contain the following elements of information(table 3.5.9).

Each broadcast is initiated by an alphabetic identification.

Table GEN 3.5.9 Other Automated Meteorological Services
Service DesignationInformation AvailableArea, Route and Aerodrome CoverageRemarks
1234
Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS broadcast)The following information is included in broadcasting in the following order:
  1. Tallinn International Airport;
  2. arrival and departure indicator - NIL;
  3. message designator;
  4. observation (issue time) in UTC;
  5. type of approach to be expected;
  6. runway-in-use;
  7. significant runway surface conditions, if appropriate;
  8. braking conditions, if appropriate;
  9. braking coefficient, if appropriate;
  10. holding delay, when applicable;
  11. transition level;
  12. essential operational information - NIL;
  13. surface wind direction and speed, including significant variation;
  14. visibility;
  15. runway visual range, when applicable;
  16. present weather;
  17. cloud below 5000 ft, CB, vertical visibility if the sky is obscured;
  18. air temperature;
  19. dew point temperature;
  20. QNH;
  21. any available information on significant meteorological phenomena, when applicable;
  22. TREND forecast;
  23. specific ATIS instructions, when applicable.

Lennart Meri Tallinn International Airport 1)

ATIS on VHF channel coverage:
FL 150 / 40 NM

Channel:
124.880

Hours of operation:
H24

Language:
EN

Available by phone:
+372 625 8210

Note: Meteorological briefing information at the Lennart Meri Tallinn aerodrome is given in section EETN AD 2.11.

Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS broadcast)The following information is included in broadcasting in the following order:
  1. Ämari Military Aerodrome;
  2. arrival and departure indicator;
  3. message designator;
  4. observation (issue time) in UTC;
  5. type of approach to be expected, if appropriate;
  6. runway-in-use;
  7. significant runway surface conditions, if appropriate;
  8. braking conditions, if appropriate;
  9. braking coefficient, if appropriate;
  10. holding delay, if appropriate;
  11. transition level, if appropriate;
  12. essential operational information, if appropriate;
  13. surface wind direction and speed, including significant variation;
  14. visibility;
  15. runway visual range, when applicable;
  16. present weather;
  17. cloud below 5000 ft, CB, vertical visibility if the sky is obscured;
  18. air temperature;
  19. dew point temperature;
  20. QNH;
  21. any available information on significant meteorological phenomena, if appropriate;
  22. TREND forecast - available during MET unit working hours;
  23. specific ATIS instructions, if appropriate.

Ämari Military Aerodrome 2)

ATIS on VHF channel coverage:
FL 150 / 40 NM

Channel:
123.880

Hours of operation:
H24

Language:
EN

Available by phone:
+372 717 3310

Notes:

Meteorological briefing information at the Ämari aerodrome is given in section EEEI AD 2.11.

ATIS broadcast is based on METAR and updated based on SPECI if necessary.

Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS broadcast)The following information is included in broadcasting in the following order:
  1. Tartu International Airport;
  2. arrival and departure indicator - NIL;
  3. message designator;
  4. observation (issue time) in UTC;
  5. type of approach to be expected;
  6. runway-in-use;
  7. significant runway surface conditions, if appropriate;
  8. braking conditions, if appropriate;
  9. braking coefficient, if appropriate;
  10. holding delay, if appropriate;
  11. transition level;
  12. essential operational information - NIL;
  13. surface wind direction and speed, including significant variation;
  14. visibility;
  15. runway visual range, when applicable;
  16. present weather;
  17. cloud below 5000 ft, CB, vertical visibility if the sky is obscured;
  18. air temperature;
  19. dew point temperature;
  20. QNH;
  21. any available information on significant meteorological phenomena, if appropriate;
  22. TREND forecast - NIL;
  23. specific ATIS instructions, if appropriate.

International Tartu Airport 3)

ATIS on VHF channel coverage:
FL 200 / 60 NM

Channel:
123.130

Hours of operation:
H24

Language:
EN

Available by phone:
+372 730 9212

Note: Meteorological briefing information at the Tartu aerodrome is given in section EETU AD 2.11.

1) The broadcast is continuous and repetitive, regularly issued at every 20 and 50 minute of consecutive hour based in METAR and updated if necessary based on SPECI according to ICAO Annex 3 standards and changes in aeronautical information. Criteria for SPECI are shown in para. 3.1.2.

2) The broadcast is continuous and repetitive, regularly issued at OPR  HR of Meteorological office at every 50 minute of consecutive hour and outside of OPR  HR at every 20 and 50 minute of consecutive hour. Meteorological office OPR  HR are shown in section EEEI AD 2.11.

3) The broadcast is continuous and repetitive, regularly issued at OPR  HR of Meteorological office at every 20 and 50 minute of consecutive hour based in METAR and updated if necessary based on SPECI and outside of OPR  HR at every 20 and 50 minute of consecutive hour. Meteorological office OPR  HR are shown in section EETU AD 2.11.