3.5.1 Responsible service

Aeronautical meteorological services for international and domestic aviation are provided by National Center For Meteorology (NCM) Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture (MEWA).

National Center For Meteorology (NCM)
P.O Box 1358
Jeddah 21431
Saudi Arabi
TEL: +966 12 4237000 & +966 12 4237701 (MWO)
FAX: +966 12 2067643
AFTN: OEJDYMYX
Http: www.ncm.gov.sa

The service is provided in accordance with the provisions contained in the following ICAO documents:

GACAR 179 - Meteorological Service
Annex 3 - Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation
Doc 7030 - Regional Supplementary Procedures
Doc 8700 - Air Navigation Plan - Middle East and Asia Region

Differences to these provisions, if any, are detailed in subsection GEN 1.7.

3.5.2 Area of responsibility

Meteorological service is provided within the Jeddah FIR and Search and Rescue Region (SRR) and first sectors of international flights originating at Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Madinah aerodromes, or any other flights from international airports în Saudi Arabia.

3.5.3 Meteorological observations and reports

Note:

OBSERVATION SYSTEMS

Surface wind is measured in knots by ultrasonic anemometers installed at the RWYs. Wind indicators are also located in the meteorological station in the appropriate ATS Control Towers.
RVR observations in metres are made by means of transmissometers at Jeddah / King Abdulaziz International airport, Dammam / King Fahd International airport, Dhahran/ King Abdulaziz Air Base, Riyadh / King Khaled International airport, / Madinah / Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International airport , Abha airport.
Cloud height is measured in feet by ceilometers at Riyadh / King Khaled International and Jeddah / King Abdulaziz International airport.
Thermometers are used to measure the air temperature (°C) and are located on the aerodrome close to the anemometer sites in conditions which normally represent the temperature over the runways.
Pending the availability of suitable equipment, vertical wind shear observations are not made. However, wind shear system is available at Madinah / Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International.
For Meteorological purposes free MET balloon ascent twice daily, at 0000Z and 1200Z. Location at OEJN, OERK, OEDF, OETB, OEAB, OEHL, OEPA and OEMA Vertical Limit from surface to unlimited.

Table GEN 3.5.3 Meteorological observations and reports

Name of station/ Location indicator	Type & frequency of observation/automatic observing equipment	Types of MET reports & Supplementary Information included	Observation System & Site(s)	Hours of operation	Climatological information
1	2	3	4	5	6
Abha / OEAB	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary.	H24	Full information AVBL
Al Ahsa / OEAH	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Al Baha / King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Airport / OEBA	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary.	H24	Full information AVBL
Al Jouf / OESK	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary.	H24	Full information AVBL
Arar / OERR	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Bisha / OEBH	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Dammam / King Fahd International OEDF	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located in 5 locations near TDZ of (34R,34L,16R,16L, and mid airside). RVR located in 6 locations near TDZ of (34R,34L,16R,16L) and in the mid of both runways. Four ceilometers located in the approach area of all runways. Weather radar located near the airport.	H24	Full information AVBL
Dhahran / King Abdulaziz Air Base/ OEDR	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	AUltrasonic Ultrasonic anemometer is located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Gassim / Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz / OEGS	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Guriat / OEGT	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Hail / OEHL	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Jazan / King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz / OEGN	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Jeddah / King Abdulaziz International / OEJN	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer in 6 locations near TDZ of (34R, 34C, 34L, 16R, 16C, 16L). RVR located in 12 locations near TDZ of (34R, 34C, 34L, 16R, 16C, 16L) and 2 in the mid of each runway. Six ceilometers located in the approach area of all runways. Weather radar located near the airside.	H24	Full information AVBL
Khamis Mushait / King Khaled Air Base / OEKM	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Madinah / Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International / OEMA	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning Wind Shear	Runway visual range devices are located at 3 locations for RWY 17/35: 1 pair on 35 TDZ, 1 pair in the middle of the RWY, 1 pair at the RWY 17 TDZ. All devices are on the west side of the RWY, APRX 300M away from the centerline of RWY 8 Wind shear sensors	H24	Full information AVBL
Nejran / OENG	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Al Qaisumah International / OEPA	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary.	H24	Full information AVBL
Rafha / OERF	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Riyadh / King Khaled International / OERK	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located in 4 locations near TDZ of (33R,33L,15R,15L). RVR located in 6 locations near TDZ of (33R,33L,15R,15L) and in the mid of both runways. Four ceilometers located in the approach area of all runways. Weather radar is located near within the aerodrome airside. boundary.	H24	Full information AVBL
Sharurah /OESH	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Tabuk / Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz / OETB	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Taif International Airport / OETF	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Turaif / OETR	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Wadi Al Dawasir / OEWD	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Wejh / OEWJ	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
Yenbo / Prince Abdulmohsin Bin Abdulaziz / OEYN	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer is located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL
AL DAWADMI / OEDM	Hourly	METAR, SPECI, TAF, aerodrome warning	Ultrasonic anemometer and weather radar are located within aerodrome boundary	H24	Full information AVBL

3.5.4 Types of services

3.5.4.1. Personal briefing and consultation is provided at Jeddah / King Abdulaziz International , Riyadh / King Khaled International , Dammam / King Fahd International , Madinah / Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International, Tabuk / Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz and Abha. For all other aerodromes consultation with the above briefing offices is by telephone.

3.5.4.2. Flight documentation comprises a significant weather chart, upper wind and temperature charts and the latest available aerodrome forecast for the destination and, if required, for its alternate aerodromes in Saudi Arabia is available to operators and flight crew via website:

Http: https://met.gamep.gov.sa/aviation/index.php

Note : The weather operational website accessible after registration, only official emails addresses are accepted.

3.5.5 Notification required from operators

Notification from operators in respect of briefing flight documentation and other meteorological information needed by them shall contain sufficient details such as aircraft identification, ETD, route and flight level.

The provision of such service is subject to prior notice as follows:

for scheduled flights the meteorological office shall be notified sufficiently in advance.
for non-scheduled flights the meteorological office shall be notified at least six hours before the expected time of departure.

However, oral briefing is available any time without prior notice.

3.5.6 Aircraft reports

3.5.6.1. Special and other non-routine aircraft reports

3.5.6.2. Further to the pilot reporting of low-level wind shear and turbulence, pilots are requested to pass special aircraft observations as soon as possible to the appropriate ATS unit by voice communications whenever any of the following conditions are encountered or observed:

Moderate or severe turbulence
Moderate or severe icing
Severe mountain wave
Thunderstorms, with or without hail (obscured, embedded, widespread or in squall lines)
Heavy dust storm or heavy sandstorm
Volcanic ash cloud
Pre-eruption volcanic activity or a volcanic eruption

3.5.7 VOLMET service

Table GEN 3.5.7 VOLMET service

Name of station	CALL SIGN Identification (EM)	Frequency	Broadcast period	Hours of service	Aerodromes/ Heliports included	Contents & format of REP and FCST & Remarks
1	2	3	4	5	6	7

			Not Available

3.5.8 SIGMET service and AIRMET service

Table GEN 3.5.8 SIGMET service

Name of MWO/ location indicators	Hours	FIR or CTA served	Type of SIGMET/ validity	Specific procedures	ATS unit served	Additional information
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Jeddah / OEJN	H24	JEDDAH FIR and SRR	SIGMET / 4 HR up to 6 HR	Volcanic ash SIGMET valid for up to 6 HR	Jeddah ACC	NIL

3.5.8.1 General

For the safety of air traffic, the Meteorological Authority maintains an area meteorological watch and warning service. This service consists partly of a continuous weather watch within the Jeddah FIR and the issuance of appropriate information (SIGMET) by Meteorological Watch Office and partly of the issuing of warnings for the respective aerodromes and, subject to agreement, for other aerodromes by all aeronautical MET offices.

3.5.8.2 Area meteorological watch service

3.5.8.2.1. The area meteorological watch service is performed by the following Meteorological Watch Office (MWO): Jeddah (OEJN) is located in Aviation Services Office at (NCM).

3.5.8.2.2. The MWO issues information in the form of SIGMET messages about the occurrence or expected occurrence of one or several of the following significant meteorological phenomena:

thunderstorms
severe turbulence
severe icing
severe mountain waves
heavy sand storm/dust storm
volcanic ash cloud
tropical cyclone

3.5.8.2.3. The SIGMETs are issued in abbreviations and plain language using ICAO abbreviations and are numbered consecutively for each day commencing at 0001. Their period of validity is generally limited to less than 4 hours from the time of transmission.

3.5.8.2.4. The MWO transmits SIGMETs issued by themselves, as well as SIGMETs of adjacent MWOs and, upon agreement, also SIGMETs of other MWOs, to the regional control centre competent for the FIR or UIR concerned.

3.5.8.2.5. In addition to the issuance of SIGMETs, the MWO will inform the regional control centres about the occurrence or expected occurrence of thunderstorms, moderate icing, light to moderate hail, or moderate turbulence within the FIRs concerned. The information is intended for the safety of low-level flights and is limited to the lower airspace.

3.5.8.2.6. Volcanic ash SIGMET messages issued are based on advisory information provided by Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres.

3.5.8.2.7. SIGMET information is disseminated via the AFTN during the period of validity of the SIGMET information.

3.5.8.3 Warning service

3.5.8.3.1. Warnings for the protection of parked and moored aircraft or of other equipment at the aerodrome are issued by all aerodrome meteorological offices, if one or several of the following phenomena are expected to occur at the aerodrome:

squall
thunderstorm
hail
frost
fog
heavy rime deposit
snow
freezing precipitation
dust storm
sandstorm

3.5.8.3.2. Differences from these criteria have to be agreed upon locally.

3.5.8.3.3. The warnings are generally issued in English and are distributed in accordance with a distribution list which has to be agreed upon locally. In order to guarantee rapid dissemination of the warnings, the distribution list to be used shall, as far as possible, contain only one recipient for an interested group; this recipient will be responsible for the further dissemination of the warning within the group.

3.5.9 Other automated meteorological services

Table 3.5.9 Other automated meteorological services

Service name	Information available	Area, route and aerodrome coverage	telephone, telex and telefax numbers Remarks
1	2	3	4
Not Available

Note : Details of meteorological briefing at aerodromes are given in the individual aerodrome sections, i.e. AD 2 and AD 3 (as applicable).

GAMET/AIRMET AREAS
NIL

GEN 3.5 METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES