When the term "light and variable" is used in reference to a Winds Aloft Forecast, the coded group and wind speed is

• A. 9900 and less than 5 knots
• B. 9900 and exactly 5 knots
• C. 9900 and more than 5 knots
• D. 9999 and less than 5 knots

Answer: (A)

Light and variable means the wind has no fixed direction and is very light, typically under 5 knots. In Winds Aloft Forecast coding, the first two digits represent direction, and the last two digits represent speed in knots. When direction is variable, the first two digits are 99; when speed is under 5 knots, the last two digits are 00. Together, 9900 communicates wind that is variable in direction and less than 5 knots—i.e., light and variable. Any other value would imply a specific direction or a wind speed of 5 knots or more, and 9999 isn’t the standard way to denote light and variable.