How would a heavy rain shower be encoded in column 9?

In the context of aviation weather reporting, particularly using the LAWRS codes, heavy rain showers are specifically encoded for clarity and brevity. The combination of symbols allows meteorologists and pilots to quickly interpret weather conditions.

When encoding heavy rain in column 9, the use of the plus sign (+) indicates a significant intensity of the precipitation. The code "SHRA" is used to denote rain showers. Therefore, combining these elements gives "C. +SHRA," which effectively communicates that there are heavy rain showers occurring.

The inclusion of the plus sign enhances the meaning of the report by emphasizing that the rainfall is of considerable intensity, which is crucial for flights relying on accurate weather data to make safe operational decisions.

In this context, other options do not offer the same level of specificity regarding the intensity of the rain showers. For example, "B. +RA" indicates heavy rain but does not specify that it is in shower form, which is important for understanding the variability and potential impact of that precipitation on aviation operations.