SkyDemon Forums

Clouds in Virtual Radar

http://forums.skydemon.aero/Topic36160.aspx

By publicom - 7/25/2023 9:36:11 AM

 
Tim Dawson - 7/25/2023 8:55:25 AM
Flyable conditions include data on the cloud ceiling and lowest cloud tops. Therefore when you have it switched on, we draw that data in virtual radar to give you an idea of these two useful pieces of information.

Cloud ceiling is obviously useful for planning to avoid terrain and obstacles, and the lowest cloud tops are useful if planning to fly on top of an overcast.


Thank You, Flyable is a very usefull function. But I do not understand, why there are also clouds shown in VR if Flyable is switched off. And why they differ.
By erchegyia - 7/25/2023 10:04:06 AM

 
publicom - 7/25/2023 9:36:11 AM
 
Tim Dawson - 7/25/2023 8:55:25 AM
Flyable conditions include data on the cloud ceiling and lowest cloud tops. Therefore when you have it switched on, we draw that data in virtual radar to give you an idea of these two useful pieces of information.

Cloud ceiling is obviously useful for planning to avoid terrain and obstacles, and the lowest cloud tops are useful if planning to fly on top of an overcast.


Thank You, Flyable is a very usefull function. But I do not understand, why there are also clouds shown in VR if Flyable is switched off. And why they differ.

As far as I remember, clouds on the virtual radar may also appear based on METAR/TAF
By publicom - 7/25/2023 11:38:59 AM

 
Adam Erchegyi - 7/25/2023 10:04:06 AM
 
publicom - 7/25/2023 9:36:11 AM
 
Tim Dawson - 7/25/2023 8:55:25 AM
Flyable conditions include data on the cloud ceiling and lowest cloud tops. Therefore when you have it switched on, we draw that data in virtual radar to give you an idea of these two useful pieces of information.

Cloud ceiling is obviously useful for planning to avoid terrain and obstacles, and the lowest cloud tops are useful if planning to fly on top of an overcast.


Thank You, Flyable is a very usefull function. But I do not understand, why there are also clouds shown in VR if Flyable is switched off. And why they differ.

As far as I remember, clouds on the virtual radar may also appear based on METAR/TAF


Yes, but this still does not explain, why they are different to the clouds with Flyable.
By Tim Dawson - 7/26/2023 8:47:33 AM

METAR are recent observed conditions in the area of the airfield.

Flyable Conditions is a forecast.

They are two different things.
By publicom - 7/26/2023 9:01:09 AM

 
Tim Dawson - 7/26/2023 8:47:33 AM
METAR are recent observed conditions in the area of the airfield.

Flyable Conditions is a forecast.

They are two different things.

So, the left picture shows the METAR of the current situation, right? But this is only the case, if „Today or Tomorrow“ is selected. If I select a certain date (even if the date is Tomorrow), the clouds in VR disappear.

And the left picture shows a forecast for „Today or Tomorrow“, which, I think is not possible for such a big timespan. So I get a Forecast for Today od Tomorrow, and again do not get the same Forecast for a dedicated date Tomorrow.
By Tim Dawson - 7/26/2023 2:51:42 PM

Open the What's Here menu for any point on the virtual radar and you will get an explanation of what is being drawn there.
By publicom - 7/26/2023 3:04:12 PM

 
Tim Dawson - 7/26/2023 2:51:42 PM
Open the What's Here menu for any point on the virtual radar and you will get an explanation of what is being drawn there.


That helps, thank You!

Although the What's Here Menu shows different values in the map than in VR. I added an example with the recent TAF of „St. Anton am Arlberg“. As You can see, the main cloud base differs significantly and the upper ceiling is not shown in the map at all.

  
By Tim Dawson - 7/27/2023 9:21:40 AM

The values shown are the same, but only if your finger is at exactly the right point. In mountainous terrain, an AGL value will vary significantly over a small area because the cloudbase is essentially flat.

The lowest cloud top is not shown in What's Here on the main map because it is not depicted on the main map.
By publicom - 7/24/2023 12:35:24 PM

What ist the difference between the Clouds in Virtual Radar with „Flyable“ switched on or off?
The Manual says „If you have the Flyable Conditions overlay switched on, the Map Ruler will also display a layer of forecast cloud ceiling...“.
Both Picture show the forecast according to the setting „Today or tomorrow“. Left with „Flyable“ switched off; right with Flyable switched on. Why does Flyable „add“ clouds?