What should you do if normal reporting procedures are inappropriate during an observation?

When normal reporting procedures are deemed inappropriate during an observation, the best course of action is to follow your judgment alongside the available instructions. This approach allows you to leverage your training and understanding of the weather observation requirements while adapting to the current circumstances. Weather conditions can change rapidly, and there are instances where sticking rigidly to standard procedures may not sufficiently reflect the actual situation on the ground.

Utilizing your judgment means that you can assess the unique conditions present at the time of observation and make decisions that prioritize safety and accuracy. Additionally, consulting available instructions helps ensure that any deviations from standard practice are still guided by established protocols, maintaining a degree of consistency and reliability in the data reported.

While supervising personnel or waiting for clarity may seem like prudent actions, they can lead to delays in reporting crucial weather information that may be needed immediately, which can have significant implications for aviation safety and operational decision-making. Therefore, using your judgement combined with available guidelines is the most effective way to handle situations where standard reporting procedures are not applicable.