Help with weather charts

[FlyingMonkey]

I'd like to improve my understanding of these weather charts. Can someone explain to me the difference between these 2 charts. Mostly concerned with the valid times and when they are predicting what they are predicting.

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[flyingron]

One is a 24 hour outlook and the other a 12. Both periods start at the same time (0600 UTC on Monday 9). The dark blue bumpy lines denote areas of predicted MVFR (3-5 mile visibility, ceilings 1000-3000). The red smooth lines denote predicted IFR (less than 1000' ceilings, visibility less than three miles). The lighter squiggly lines denotes freezing at the surface. The dashed lines indicate freezing level at the labeled altitudes.

The brown dashed regions with the little witch's hats are areas of moderate or greater turbulence at the altitudes indicated.

 

[FlyingMonkey]

Thanks for the reply. So if the valid time says 0600Z and it is a 12 hr forecast does that mean the predicted conditions start at 0600Z and end at 1800Z (that is, the forecast is valid in that time window?). And if it is a 24hr forecast then the conditions predicted start at the valid time 0600Z and last for 24 hours?

Or does it mean that the conditions predicted are for the 12 hour period before the valid time?

 

[FlyingMonkey]

Thanks for the replies. I think I understand it much better now. The main point of confusion was for how long the forecast is valid and now I know!


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