FAA Ground School Practice Test

What does a current CONVECTIVE SIGMET indicating thunderstorms signify?

1. Thunderstorms with clear skies

2. Thunderstorms with wind gusts

3. Thunderstorms obscured by massive cloud layers

4. Thunderstorms associated with hail

The correct answer is: Thunderstorms obscured by massive cloud layers

A current CONVECTIVE SIGMET indicating thunderstorms primarily signifies that there are significant and potentially hazardous weather conditions related to thunderstorms. This includes information on thunderstorms that may not be easily visible due to extensive cloud cover, which can lead to low visibility conditions for pilots. The correct choice highlights that thunderstorms may indeed be obscured by extensive cloud layers. This situation can make it difficult for pilots to visually detect dangerous weather conditions from a distance. The SIGMET provides critical information about the potential intensity and the associated risks of the thunderstorms, which can have implications for visibility, turbulence, and flight safety. In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the implications of a CONVECTIVE SIGMET. For example, thunderstorms with clear skies would not be represented in a SIGMET, as significant weather phenomena like these typically indicate that the storms are associated with substantial cloud cover. Similarly, while thunderstorms can be associated with wind gusts or hail, the presence of such conditions is not what the SIGMET primarily conveys. The focus of a CONVECTIVE SIGMET is on the potential obscuration and severe nature of the storms.