What does the weather code FC mean?

What does the weather code FC mean?

• A. Funnel Cloud
• B. Fog
• C. Smoke
• D. Haze

Answer: (A)

Weather observation codes use two-letter abbreviations to quickly describe what is seen. FC stands for funnel cloud, which is a cone-shaped cloud that extends downward from a thunderstorm base and remains connected to the cloud above. It may or may not reach the ground; if it does touch the ground, it becomes a tornado (or waterspout when over water). This is distinct from fog, smoke, or haze, which have different codes (fog = FG, smoke = FU, haze = HZ). So FC specifically flags a funnel cloud, not those other phenomena.

Weather observation codes use two-letter abbreviations to quickly describe what is seen. FC stands for funnel cloud, which is a cone-shaped cloud that extends downward from a thunderstorm base and remains connected to the cloud above. It may or may not reach the ground; if it does touch the ground, it becomes a tornado (or waterspout when over water). This is distinct from fog, smoke, or haze, which have different codes (fog = FG, smoke = FU, haze = HZ). So FC specifically flags a funnel cloud, not those other phenomena.