Autumn Transitions

By the time September arrives, most pilots in the northern hemisphere are tired of picking their way past cumulus clouds, dodging thunderstorms and dealing with diminished performance from high density altitudes. But with the arrival of autumn, things are about to change. Its not just a season where things get colder and we have to review icing. There is a lot in the details that can help your flight planning. …

Key Takeaways:

• Autumn brings significant shifts in northern hemisphere weather, including stronger upper-level winds, intensified temperature contrasts driving more organized weather systems, lower freezing levels, and increased icing risks.
• Pilots must prepare for regional hazards such as widespread moisture from tropical remnants and surprise stratus/fog in the Gulf Coast, high winds (Santa Anas, Appalachians), and persistent fog/icing in various inland valleys and near the Great Lakes.
• Key flight planning considerations include monitoring steering flow for system movement, anticipating low-level wind shear and pre-dawn stratus, and diligently checking for icing conditions and turbulence.

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