Narrative:

I was assigned to take a mechanic from lch to ZZZ. Got weather briefing and knew of convective weather in the area. I called lch tower and requested VFR flight following to 2l0 and received taxi instructions to runway 15. As I began to taxi; I noticed the wind sock standing up straight; facing the west; indicating an approximate 20 KTS crosswind to runway 15. I asked to taxi to runway 23 due to wind and was told to stand by. The controller then stated field was about to go IFR. After a couple of minutes; the controller said disregard and to taxi to runway 23. I completed my run up and requested takeoff for runway 23 with an immediate turn to northeast to avoid precipitation west of airport. The controller stated field was IFR and I requested SVFR to the northeast. The controller stated stand by. After a minute or two; the controller came back and gave an SVFR clearance to the northeast with incorrect phraseology and cleared me for takeoff. Upon takeoff; I went IMC with heavy rain and visibility at less than 1/4 mile. I transitioned to instruments and turned the northeast and cleared weather in approximately 5 minutes and entered VMC conditions and safely finished the flight. I would recommend ATC review this event and the controller's performance.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: General Aviation departure from LCH questioned the performance of ATC with regard to runway assignment based upon wind conditions and SVFR procedures/phraseology.

Narrative: I was assigned to take a mechanic from LCH to ZZZ. Got weather briefing and knew of convective weather in the area. I called LCH Tower and requested VFR flight following to 2L0 and received taxi instructions to Runway 15. As I began to taxi; I noticed the wind sock standing up straight; facing the west; indicating an approximate 20 KTS crosswind to Runway 15. I asked to taxi to Runway 23 due to wind and was told to stand by. The Controller then stated field was about to go IFR. After a couple of minutes; the Controller said disregard and to taxi to Runway 23. I completed my run up and requested takeoff for Runway 23 with an immediate turn to northeast to avoid precipitation west of airport. The Controller stated field was IFR and I requested SVFR to the northeast. The Controller stated stand by. After a minute or two; the Controller came back and gave an SVFR clearance to the northeast with incorrect phraseology and cleared me for takeoff. Upon takeoff; I went IMC with heavy rain and visibility at less than 1/4 mile. I transitioned to instruments and turned the northeast and cleared weather in approximately 5 minutes and entered VMC conditions and safely finished the flight. I would recommend ATC review this event and the Controller's performance.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.