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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-convective-sigmet

A Convective SIGMET is issued for severe thunderstorms with surface winds of at least how much?

50 knots or greater.

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  1. 30 knots
  2. 50 knots ✔
  3. 15 knots

Why: In the lower 48 states, Convective SIGMETs cover severe thunderstorms with surface winds of 50 knots or more, or hail of 3/4 inch or more. They also cover tornadoes, embedded thunderstorms and lines of thunderstorms.

Huh, didn't know that: Sustained surface winds of 30 knots or more, without storms, are covered by AIRMET Tango instead.

The dad joke
A Convective SIGMET is the sky's way of saying 'Do not disturb.'
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References

Answer: 50 knots. In the lower 48 states, Convective SIGMETs cover severe thunderstorms with surface winds of 50 knots or more, or hail of 3/4 inch or more. They also cover tornadoes, embedded thunderstorms and lines of thunderstorms.

  1. Aeronautical Information Manual 7-1, Meteorology www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap7_section_1.html
    Surface winds greater than or equal to 50 knots
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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