We're having quite the afternoon here in the Pacific Northwest. Thanks to a sizeable Low pressure and associated cold front, we're having wind shear and SLD causing some interesting PIREPS.
Here's one just 60 miles north of our base in Seattle:
BVS UUA /OV YVR150035/TM 2225/FL150/TP DH8C/TA M15/IC SEV RIME 150-130/RM DURGD 1 1/2 INCH ACCUM 30 SECS -ZSE -ZSE
That last bit sure got my attention. One and a half inches of ice in 30 seconds is... definitely severe. Not even the airliners should be up in that stuff. Here's another just a bit farther north in Vancouver, BC:
VR UA /OV CYQQ /TM 2104 /FLUNKN /TP LJ35 /IC SEV RIME /RM ACFT REPS SEV RIME ICG FL150-FL130 60-50NM NW YQQ
Probably the same affecting both places. The ice prediction tool on the ADDS site shows some interesting stuff:
Look at all the SLD at 9,000 feet! From the PIREPS it would appear that the nastiest stuff is a few thosuand feet higher (though those altitudes show SLD, they don't show as much as 9,000), but there are other reports of light to moderate ice lower down.
The system is also bringing gusts of +/- 20 knots at 200 feet at airports in the region. This is an excellent day to stay on the ground (Luke just scrubbed a flight after hearing those PIREPs).
Remember that as we enter Spring there will be a greater potential for icing as the temps hover around freezing. Use your tools (that resource on the ADDS site is great), do a little brush up reading through any of the many online courses, and don't hesitate to discuss the weather part of your flight planning with an instructor.
Safe flying,
John Fiscus
Chief Pilot, The Flight Academy
www.theflightacademy.com 
Posted
16 Mar 2010 15:45
by
John Fiscus