Meteorology: 7 Latest ATPL Questions Explained
Let's practise together seven of the latest Meteorology (050) questions from the Airhead ATPL Question Bank — all seen across multiple EASA authorities within the last 60 days.
This walkthrough is designed for ATPL students who are looking to sharpen their weather theory and decision-making skills. You’ll cover key topics such as cloud formation, fog types, wind shear, the ITCZ, and other core meteorological concepts every pilot needs to master.
AIR-246994: Cloud Formation (Cold Air over Warm Surface)
AIR-247757: Decoding Wind Shear Warnings (MET Messages)
AIR-245962: Cause of Steam Fog (Cold Air Advection)
AIR-246587: Locating ISA Deviation Data (Pre-Flight Planning)
AIR-245609: ITCZ Shift Variability (Land vs. Sea)
AIR-246456: Summer Clouds Least Likely for Heavy Rain
AIR-245984: Identifying Coastal Fog Types (METAR Example)
These questions reflect how Meteorology is actually tested: not just definitions, but understanding processes, recognising patterns, and avoiding common traps. The explanations below are written to help you understand the weather first — and then pass the exam.
Watch the full walkthrough:Question 1: Cloud Formation (Cold Air over Warm Surface)
Question ID AIR-246994 – Which of the following cloud types will most probably form when cold moist air moves over a warm surface?
Nimbostratus
Stratus
Stratocumulus
Cumulus
Correct Answer: Cumulus.
Explanation: What is really happening? Clouds need two things: moisture and rising air. In this situation, the air is already moist. When it moves over a warmer surface, it is heated from below. Warm air is lighter, so it starts to rise. These rising bubbles of air are called thermals.
As the air rises, it cools. Once it reaches saturation, clouds form. Cumulus clouds, often fair-weather cumulus, are the classic white, cotton-like clouds you see on warm, sunny days.
Exam tip: If you see: Cold air. Warm ground or sea. Daytime heating.
Think convection → cumulus. Not every cumulus means a thunderstorm. Many are harmless and indicate good flying weather.
Question 2: Wind Shear and Microbursts in Pilot Reports
Question ID AIR-247757 – According to the following messages, a pilot approaching for landing to (1) _______ airport reported (2) _______.
LDRI WS WRNG 1 160520 VALID 160520/161200 WS ALL RWY FCST=
LGTS WS WRNG 1 160505 MBST APCH RWY16 REP AT 0500 A320 35KT LOSS 1NM FNA=
LGAV WS WRNG 1 160505 WS IN CLIMB-OUT REP AT 0500 A320 =
EDDF WS WRNG 1 160520 VALID 160520/161200 WS RWY18 FCST=
(1) LGAV; (2) a microburst
(1) LDRI; (2) wind shear
(1) LGTS; (2) a microburst
(1) EDDF; (2) wind shear
Correct Answer: (1) LGTS; (2) a microburst.
Explanation: This question is less about weather knowledge and more about reading carefully. The question specifically asks for pilot-reported conditions during approach.
How to solve it: Eliminate anything marked as forecast (FCST). Then check whether the report refers to approach or departure. And finally match exactly what the question asks.
Exam tip: Always ask: Is this a forecast or a report? Is it arrival or departure? Does it answer this question — or just sound dramatic?
Question 3: Very Cold Air Over a Warm Sea
Question ID AIR-245962 – Advection of very cold air over a warm sea current can cause:
Advection fog.
No fog at all.
Frontal fog.
Steam fog.
Correct Answer: Steam fog.
Explanation: Warm water releases moisture into the air above it. When very cold air moves over that warm water, the moisture condenses immediately, forming fog that looks like steam rising from the surface. Think of a hot cup of coffee on a cold day. The “steam” you see is exactly the same process.
Exam tip:
Cold air over warm water → steam fog
Warm air over cold surface → advection fog
If you reverse these, you’ll lose easy marks.
Flying through fog demands knowledge. Our Pilot's Guide details the 6 common fog types crucial for safe operations under both Visual and Instrument Flight Rules.
Question 4: Locating ISA Deviation Data (Pre-Flight Planning)
Question ID AIR-246587 – During pre-flight planning, what documents are available to determine the ISA temperature deviation on the route at FL100?
Significant weather charts
Wind and temperature charts
Notice to Airmen
Terminal Area Forecasts
Correct Answer: Wind and temperature charts.
Explanation: Wind and temperature charts (winds aloft charts) show temperature and wind direction and speed at specific flight levels. On these charts temperatures are negative by default (“20” means –20°C). Positive temperatures are shown with a + sign
Why the other options are wrong:
TAFs → airport forecasts
NOTAMs → operational info
SIGWX charts → icing, turbulence, fronts (no temperatures)
Exam tip: If the question mentions Flight level temperature and ISA deviation. Your answer is almost always winds and temperatures aloft.
Question 5: Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
Question ID AIR-245609 – The position of the intertropical convergence zone…
Shows more variation over the continent than over the oceans
Depends on the activity of thunderstorm clouds
Is more to the north in January than in July
Shows more variation over the oceans than over the continents
Correct Answer: Shows more variation over the continent than over the oceans.
Explanation: Intertropical Convergence Zone is the area where:
The Sun heats the Earth the most
Warm air rises strongly
Thunderstorms are common
This strong vertical movement is why tropical storms often develop here.
Seasonal movement
In Northern Hemisphere summer, ITCZ moves north
In winter, it moves south
Land vs water
Over oceans → more stable and predictable
Over land → more variation (land heats and cools faster)
Exam tip: ITCZ follows the Sun. Water stores heat longer than land. Many wrong answers disappear once you think about seasons.
Question 6: Summer Clouds Least Likely for Heavy Rain
Question ID AIR-246456 – With what type of cloud is heavy precipitation unlikely during the summer months?
CB, ST
NS, CC
AS, NS
SC, AS
Correct Answer: SC, AS (Stratocumulus / Altostratus)
Explanation: Use elimination to solve the question. Any cloud with “nimbo” in the name produces precipitation. If the question says unlikely, eliminate those first. CB (Cumulonimbus) and NS (Nimbostratus) can both produce heavy rain.
Cumulonimbus → heavy rain
Nimbostratus → steady rain
That leaves Stratocumulus and Altostratus. These clouds usually do not produce heavy precipitation.
Question 7: Fog at a Coastal Airport
Question ID AIR-245984 – An aerodrome on the coast (Faro, Portugal) reported the following METAR:
LPFR 070650Z 26015KT 0100FG VV/// 05/05 Q1006
What type of fog can you expect in Faro?
Frontal fog
Advection fog
Radiation fog
Orographic fog
Correct Answer: Advection fog.
Explanation: Faro (LPFR) is a coastal airport which is prone to advection fog.
Key clues: Coastal aerodrome, visibility 100 m, strong wind (15 kt), temperature = dew point
Why not radiation fog? Radiation fog requires clear skies and very light wind (usually less than 5 kt). Strong wind prevents radiation fog from forming.
Exam tip: Coast + wind = advection fog.
Wind means horizontal movement of air, which is exactly what advection is.
Watch full Meteorology walkthrough sessions on our YouTube channel and boost your exam confidence.
Meteorology Exam Overview
To help you plan your revision, we’ve included a short ATPL Meteorology Exam Overview at the end of this walkthrough. It gives you a clear snapshot of what to expect on exam day — from the exam format and timing to the overall difficulty level — along with practical study tips to help you prepare more effectively.
ATPL Meteorology Exam Facts
Number of Questions: 84
Exam Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty Level: Medium to Hard
81% of papers passed
Meteorology focuses on the atmosphere and how weather, clouds, and large-scale systems influence flight operations. Some topics — such as frontal systems or interpreting TAFs — are typically straightforward. Others, especially global weather patterns, can feel abstract and difficult to visualise at first.
Most Meteorology questions are not difficult — they are easy to misread. To score well:
Read slowly
Look for key words (coast, wind, day/night, warm/cold)
Use elimination
Think in processes, not definitions
If you understand why the weather behaves the way it does, the correct answer often stands out. With consistent study and plenty of question practice, the logic starts to click — and once it does, Meteorology becomes far more manageable.
Stay patient and keep practising.
Practise Meteorology questions
Explore key subtopics & core concepts of the Meteorology Syllabus
