This information is usually relayed by radio to the nearest ground station, but other options (e.g. electronic submission) also exist in some regions.
If the PIREP contains a report of a tornado, funnel cloud, waterspout, severe turbulence, severe icing, hail, volcanic ash clouds, a low-level wind shear hazard, or any other weather deemed hazardous by the receiving agency, the identifier "UUA" would be used.
Abbreviations used in this group are "CLR" (clear), "FEW" (few), "SCT" (scattered), "BKN" (broken) and "OVC" (overcast).
Turbulence should be reported as LGT (light), MDT (moderate), SVR (severe) or in exceptional cases EXTRM (extreme).
The intensity is reported as "TR" (trace), "LGT" (light), "MDT" (moderate), and "SVR" (severe).
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration launched a program called SKYSPOTTER to train pilots in observing and reporting weather while in flight.
These examples are taken from the Canadian MANOBS (Manual of Surface Weather Observations) published by Environment Canada.
[citation needed] In the US, air traffic controllers are required to solicit PIREPs upon request of other facilities or pilots, or when any of the following conditions exists or is forecast in their area.
[5] At least once hourly, terminal controllers must obtain a descent/climb-out PIREP, including cloud information and other related phenomena.