Outlook- obtained more than 6hrs prior to flight, limited in    detail but good for planning.

Standard- avail within 6hrs of flight, most complete Wx    breif with info on adverse conditions, VFR flight  recommendation, current, en-route, and destination  forecasts, winds/temps aloft, NOTAMS, ATC delays,  request for PIREPS, EFAS, other...

Abbreviated- shortened standard, used to update

Obtain Briefings from FSS/1-800-Wx-Brief/DUATS

Aviation Routine Weather Report (yup...METAR...)

Observation of current surface wx reported in a standard  format

SPECI issued at anytime for rapidly changing wx

Type of report/Station ID/Date-Time/Report modifier/Wind  dir-spd/vis/runway vis range/Wx phenom/sky  condition/temp-dew point/altimeter setting/remarks/type  of station

Pilot Wx Reports

Provides valuable information regarding the conditions as they actually exist in the air. Pilots can confirm height and tops of clouds, locations of wind shear/turbulence/icing

If ceiling i below 5k ft or vis at/below 5SM, ATC is required to solicit PIREPs

2 Types: Urgent Upper Air (UUA)- Tornadoes, funnel clouds, waterspouts, severe/extreme turbulence, severe icing, hail, LL wind shear w/in 2k ft of surface, volcanic ash, other hazardous wx

Upper Air (UA)- routine

Airmen's Meterological Information

Potientially hazardous information for small/light acft, but of operational value to all acft

Valid for 6 hours, issued as needed

S- Mountain obscurations/IFR conditions

T- Turbulence greater than 30Kts, LL wind shear

Z- Icing and freezing levels

Non-convective, potientially hazardous weather information for all acft