Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 5/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi
why is BR used for mist.

ANSWER: Judy, that is really good question. Unfortunatelly, I do not know answer:-) You see those designations are coming directly from aviation weather books, and we as pilots really do not want more then what they mean to us, and what they represent. I will research more on this, if I find an answer I will forward you back.
Ismar


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok, thanks.
i have some friends who are pilots and they did not know either.
I wonder if it comes from the french word for smoke-fire-burning???


Answer
as I promised I have reasearched little bit. It looks that background of word is coming from French not just for Mist
GR = Hail = Grêle
BR = Mist = Brume
FU = Smoke = Fumée
PO = Dust = poussière

Here is the web site link where you can get some educated guesses regarding background of terminology.

http://fly.blakecrosby.com/2006/03/metar_weather_codes_decoded.html

Regards
Ismar
P.S. Really good question