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FM 34-81-1: Battlefield Weather Effects

APPENDIX A

HOW TO USE THE TABLES AND TYPE UNIT REFERENCE TABLES

This appendix explains how to use the individual BFA appendixes. Appendix A is your starting point. Figures A-1 through A-5 provide a quick look at potential weather conditions that might impact on your unit. Forecasts specify cloud bases, visibility, surface winds, temperature, and precipitation.

If forecasted values exceed the thresholds shown in the figures, you have a weather impact. You then take a closer look at Appendixes B through N to determine which unit-specific operations, systems, and personnel are involved.

Step 1. Using the latest weather forecast received from the WETM, or a current observation from your AO, note the numeric values listed for cloud bases, visibility, surface winds (including gusts), high and low temperatures, and precipitation. (See Table 2-1 for relationship between precipitation intensity and accumulation.)

Step 2. Go to Figures A-1 to A-5. These display the five weather conditions reported in the forecast. For example, suppose visibility is forecast to be 3,000 meters (or 1.9 statute miles). Referring to Figure A-1, look for the horizontal dotted line representing 3,000 meters. You see that it intersects solid vertical lines for special operations, mechanized infantry, IEW, light infantry, aviation, artillery, armor, and air defense.

If you serve in one of these type units, you have a weather, impact. To see just exactly what kind and how severe the impact is, you look in the appendix devoted to that type of unit.

Note that in some figures, the solid vertical lines extend both up from the bottom and down from the top of the graph. This means there are two ranges of impact for the same weather element. As an example, temperatures can be too hot or too cold.

Step 3. Using the data in Figures A-1 to A-5, check the functional areas affected by the forecast or observation. Look to see which, if any, are involved in current or near-term operations during the time of the forecast. A quick look planning guide can be prepared (similar to Table 2-3) that will help you in preparing your weather briefings, charts, and IPB analysis.

Remember, these tables consider the effects of only five of the most common weather elements on units (except Special Forces). There are other weather elements and parameters that affect Army operations, systems, and personnel. As their critical values and impacts are qualified, they will be added to future iterations of this manual. Appendix O lists a variety of these elements and parameters together with the functional area affected.