FAA Ground School Practice Test

What information does a Convective SIGMET provide?

1. Tornadoes and embedded thunderstorms

2. Severe icing conditions

3. Tornadoes, embedded thunderstorms, and hail 3/4 inch or greater in diameter

4. General weather patterns

The correct answer is: Tornadoes, embedded thunderstorms, and hail 3/4 inch or greater in diameter

A Convective SIGMET is designed to provide critical information about specific hazardous weather conditions related to convective activity, particularly those that could affect aviation. The correct response highlights that it encompasses significant phenomena such as tornadoes, embedded thunderstorms, and large hail measuring 3/4 inch or greater in diameter. Each element serves a specific purpose in ensuring pilots are informed about potentially dangerous conditions. For instance, tornadoes indicate the possibility of severe turbulence or sudden changes in wind direction, while embedded thunderstorms are particularly hazardous because they may not be visible on radar and can contain severe turbulence, lightning, and other dangers. Reporting hail of a certain size alerts pilots to the potential for damage to aircraft, which is essential information during flight planning and operations. While tornadoes and embedded thunderstorms can be severely dangerous on their own, the inclusion of significant hail size provides a comprehensive overview of the threats posed by convective weather, making it crucial for flight safety. The other options do not correctly provide the full scope of what a Convective SIGMET entails and therefore do not reflect the depth of information that pilots need to be aware of when navigating through or near thunderstorms.