How to Decode METAR reports

GROUP How to Decode METAR reports

Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)​

A METAR is a codified observation message indicating an airfield weather conditions observed at a given time. Such a message is established every hour.

Example:
METARKRNO210056Z05012KT10SMSNBKN05002/M08A3016RMK AO2 SLP228T00221083
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1. Message Type
  • METAR: routine weather report
  • SPECI: special weather report, triggered by a weather change
  • AUTO will be first item for ASOS/AWOS generated reports


2. ICAO Identifier (4-letter)


3. Issuance Time DDHHMMz (UTC)


4. Wind
  • First 3 digits: True Wind direction or average if variable (VRB).
Note: If the wind direction varies 60° or more, the direction will be indicated with a V (e.g. 180V250)

  • Next 2 digits: Mean speed and units
    • KT=knots, KMH=kilometers/hour, MPS=meters/second
    • G (gust) as needed – 2 or 3 digit maximum speed
    • Calm will be indicated by 00000KT
Example: 18012G22KT 150V240


5. Horizontal Visibility
  • Prevailing Visibility (PV)
  • Statue miles (SM) and fractions (US & Canada only) or,
  • 4 digit minimum visibility in meters, and,
  • Lowest value and direction, as required (shown as a remark)
  • Runway Visual Range (RVR)
  • R: Runway Designator, L/R/C as needed, “/”
  • 4 digit value (feet/meters)
  • V (variability) with tendency U/D/N (up/down/no change)
Example: R18R/1200FTV/U


6. Present Weather (Constructed sequentially):
  • Intensity
  • Descriptor
  • Precipitation (Dominant type is listed first if more than one type reported)
  • Obscuration
  • Other

Qualifier​
Weather Phenomena​
Intensity or Proximity​
Descriptor​
Precipitation​
Obscuration​
Other​
–​
Light​
BC​
Patches​
DZ​
Drizzle​
BR​
Mist (1)​
DS​
Duststorm​
BL​
Blowing (2)​
GR​
Hail (3)​
DU​
Widespread Dust​
No qualifier​
Moderate​
DR​
Low Drifting (4)​
GS​
Small Hail and/or snow pellets (5)​
FG​
Fog (6)​
FC​
Funnel Clouds​
FZ​
Freezing​
IC​
Ice Crystals​
FU​
Smoke​
PO​
Dust/Sand Whirls​
+​
Heavy​
MI​
Shallow​
PL​
Ice Pellets​
HZ​
Haze​
SQ​
Squall(s)​
PR​
Partial​
RA​
Rain​
SA​
Sand​
VC​
Vicinity (7)​
SH​
Shower(s)​
SG​
Snow Grains​
VA​
Volcanic Ash​
SS​
Sandstorm​
TS​
Thunderstorm​
SN​
Snow​
UP​
Unknown Precipitation​


7. Sky Cover
  • Cloud Description
  • Amount in eights (octas)
    • SKC=Sky Clear (clear below 12,000 for ASOS/AWOS)
    • NSC=No significant clouds
    • FEW=Few (1/8 to 2/8 sky cover)
    • SCT=Scattered (3/8 to 4/8 sky cover)
    • BKN=Broken (5/8 to 7/8 sky cover)
    • OVC=Overcast (8/8 sky cover)


8. Temperature/Dewpoint (whole °C) (preceded by M=minus)
  • First 2 digits = temperature
  • Second 2 digits = dewpoint


9. Altimeter setting (QNH) and indicator (A=InHg, Q=hPa)


10. Supplementary Information
  • RE = Recent weather followed by weather codes
  • WS = Windshear, followed by:
    • TKOF/LDG (takeoff/landing)
    • RWY (2 digits runway identifier and designator L/R/C)
  • RMK = Remark
  • SLP = Sea Level Pressure
  • T00221083 (Expanded temp/dewpoint)
    • 1st, 5th digits: 0=plus, 1=minus
    • 2nd-4th digits: temp (decimal missing) (02.2)
    • 6th-8th digits: dewpoint (decimal missing) (-8.3)


11. Trend Forecast (2 hours from time of observation) (Not used in US)



METAR /TAF Abbreviations / Cloud Types​


AHailAMOSAutomatic Meteorological observing system
ABMAbeam
ABVAboveAMSAir mass
ACAltocumulusANLYSAnalysis
ACCASAltocumulus castellanusAO1Automated observation with no precip discriminator (rain/snow)
ACCUMAltocumulate
ACLDAbove cloudsAO2Automated observation with precip discriminator (rain/snow)
ACSLStanding lenticular altocumulus
ACTVActiveAOAAt or above
ACYCAnticyclonicAOBAt or below
ADDNAdditionAPAnomalous propagation
ADRNDCKAdirondackAPCHApproach
ADVCTNAdvectionAPRNTApparent
ADVYAdvisoryASAltostratus
AFDKAfter DarkASOSAutomated surface observing system
AFTAfterATLCAtlantic
AFTNAfternoonATTMAt this time
AGLAbove Ground LevelAURBOAurora Borealis
AGNAgainAUTOBAutomatic weather reporting system
AHDAheadAWOSAutomatic weather observing system
AIREPAir ReportBBeginning of precipitation (time in minutes (wx reports only)
AIRMETAirmen’s Meteorological Info
ALFAloftBACLINBaroclinic prognosis
ALGAlongBATROPBarotropic or barotropic prognosis
ALGHNYAlleghenyBCBritish Columbia
ALQDSAll quadrantsBCFGFog patches
ALSTGAltimeter settingBCKGBacking
ALTAAlbertaBCM(G)Become (becoming)
ALUTNAlleutianBDBlowing dust (wx reports only)
AMDAmended forecastBFDKBefore dark
AMDTAmendmentBINOVCBreaks in overcast

BKNBrokenCLDCloud
BLDUPBuild upCLRClear
BLKHLSBlack HillsCASClear and smooth
BLOBelowCNLCancel
BNBlowing sand (wx reports only)CNDNCanadian
BNDRYBoundaryCNTRLCentral
BOVCBase of overcastCNVGConverge
BRAFBraking action fairCNVTVConvective
BRAGBraking action goodCONT-DVDContinental Divide
BRANBraking action nilCONTRAILSCondensation trails
BRAPBraking action poorCSCirrostratus
BRFBriefCSTCoast
BRKSHRBerkshireCTGYCategory
BSBlowing snow (wx reports only)CTSKLSCatskills
BTWNBetweenCUCumulus
BYBlowing spray (wx reports only)CUFCumuliform
CAClear above (PIREP only)CUFRACumulus fractus
CANCanadaCYCCyclonic
CARIBCaribbeanCYCLGNCyclogenesis
CASCDSCascadesDDust (wx reports only)
CAVOKCeiling and visibility OKDABRKDaybreak
CAVUCeiling and visibility unlimitedDALGTDaylight
CBCumulonimbusDCAVUClear or scattered cloud and vis greater than 10, remainder or report missing (wx reports only)
CBMAMCumulonimbus mammatus
CCCirrocumulus
CCSLStanding lenticular cirrocumulusDCRDecreased
CDFNTCold FrontDIAMDiameter
CFPCold front passageDKTSDakotas
CHCChanceDMSHDiminish
CHSPKChesapeakeDNSDense
CIGCeilingDNSLPDownslope

DNSTRMDownstreamFLGFalling
DPDeepFLRYFlurry
DPNGDeepeningFNTFront
DPTHDepthFNTGNSFrontogenesis
DRFTDriftFNTLYSFrontolysis
DRZLDrizzleFORNNForenoon
DSIPTDissipateFRMGForming
DSNTDistantFROPAFrontal passage
DTRTDeteriorateFRSTFrost
DRGDuringFRZFreeze
DWNDFTSDowndraftsFRZLVLFreezing level
DWPNTDew pointFRZNFrozen
EEnding of precipitation (time in minutes)(wx reports only)FZRANOFreezing rain sensor not operating
FTTerminal Forecast
EEquatorial (air mass)GGusts reaching (knots)(wx reports only)
EEstimated (wx reports only)GFGround fog (wx reports only)
ELNGTElongateGFDEPGround fog estimated (feet) deep
EMBDDEmbeddedGICGGlaze icing
ENRTEnrouteGLFALSKGulf of Alaska
ENTREntireGLFCALGulf of California
ERYEarlyCLFMEXGulf of Mexico
EVEEveningGLFSTLAWRGulf of St. Lawrence
EXCPExceptGNDFGGround Fog
EXPCExpectGRADGradient
EXTRMExtremeGRTLKSGreat Lakes
FFog (wx reports only)GSTSGusts
FAArea ForecastGSTYGusty
FAHFarenheitHHaze (wx reports only)
FAXFacsimileHCVISHigh clouds visible
FIBIFiled but impracticable to transmitHDEPHaze layer estimated (feet) deep
FINOWx report will not be filed for transmissionHDSVLYHudson Valley

HIHighLABRDRLabrador
HLSTOHailstonesLFTLift
HLYRHaze layer aloftLGTLight
HURCNHurricaneLIFRLow IFR (wx reports only)
HVYHeavyLKLake
ICIce crystalLSRLoose snow on runway
ICGIcingLSTLocal Standard Time
ICGICIcing in cloudsLTGCALightning cloud to air
ICGICIPIcing in clouds and precipitationLTGCCLightning cloud to cloud
ICGIPIcing in precipitationLTGCCCGLightning cloud to cloud, cloud to ground
IFIce fogLTGCGLightning cloud to ground
IFRInstrument flight rulesLTGCWLightning cloud to water
INCRIncreaseLTGICLightning in clouds
INDCIndicateLTLCGLittle change
INDEFIndefiniteLTNGLightning
INLDInlandLYRLayer or layered or layers
INSTBYInstabilityMMeasured ceiling (wx reports only)
INTRInteriorMMissing (wx reports only)
INTR-MTRGNInter-mountain regionMANManitoba
INTSIntenseMDTModerate
INTSTIntensityMETARScheduled aviation observation
INVRNInversionMEXMexico
IOVCIn overcastMHKVLYMohawk Valley
IPIce pellets (wx reports only)MIDNMidnight
IRIce on runwayMIFGPatches of shallow fog not deeper than 2 meters
JTSTRJetstreamMLTLVLMelting level
KSmokeMNLDMainland
KDEPSmoke layer estimated (feet) deepMOGRModerate or greater
KLYRSmoke layer aloftMOVMove
KOCTYSmoke over cityMRGLMarginal
LDrizzle (wx reports only)MRNGMorning

MRTMMaritimePGTSNDPuget Sound
MSTLYMostlyPIBALPilot balloon observation
MTNMountainPK WNDPeak wind (wx report only)
MVFRMarginal VFRPNHDLPanhandle
NBNew BrunswickPNORain gauge not operating
NEW ENGNew EnglandPPINARadar weather report not available or omitted
NFLDNewfoundland
NGTNightPPINERadar weather report no echoes observed
NOSPLNo special observations taken (wx reports only)PPINORadar weather report equipment inoperative due to breakdown
NSNimbostratusPPIOKRadar weather report equipment operation resumed
NSNova Scotia
NVANegative vorticity advectionPPIOMRadar weather report equipment inoperative due to maintenance
OBSObservation
OBSCObscurePRBLTYProbability
OCFNTOccluded frontPRESFRPressure falling rapidly
OCLDOccludePRESRRPressure rising rapidly
OCLNOcclusionPRJMPPressure jump (wx reports only)
OFPOccluded frontal passagePROGPrognosis or prognostic
OFSHROffshorePSRPacked snow on runway
OMTNSOver mountainsPTCHYPatchy
ONSHROn shorePTLYPartly
ONTOntarioPVAPositive vorticity advection
ORGPHCOrographicPWINOPrecipitaion identifier information not available (wx reports only)
OTASOn top and smoothQSquall (wx reports only)
OTLKOutlookQSTNRYQuasistationary
OVCOvercastQUEQuebec
OVROverRRain (wx reports only)
PACPacificRADATRadiosonde observation data
PCPNPrecipitationRAOBRadiosonde observation
PDWPriority Delayed WeatherRCKYRocky Mountains
PENPeninsulaRDGRidge

RGDRaggedTDWRTerminal Doppler Weather Radar
RHINORadar echo height information not availableTEMPTemperature
RHINORadar range height indicator not operating on scanTHDRThunder
RIOGDRio GrandeTHRUThrough
RNFLRainfallTHRUTThroughout
ROBEPSRadar operating below prescribed standardTHSDThousand
RPDRapidTILUntil
RSGRisingTMWTomorrow
RUFRoughTNGTTonight
RVRNORunway visual range missingTOPCloud top
RWRain shower (wx reports only)TOVCTop of overcast
SSnow (wx reports only)TPGTopping
SASKSaskatchewanTROFTrough
SAWRNSupplementary Aviation Weather Reporting SystemTROPTropopause
SCStratocumulusTRPCLTropical
SCSLStratocumulus standing lenticularTRRNTerrain
SCTScatteredTSHWRThundershower
SELSSevere local stormsTSNOLightning sensor not available
SFERICSAtmosphericsTSTMThunderstorm
SGSnow grains (wx reports only)TURBTurbulence
SHFTShift (wx reports only)TURBCTurbulence
SHLWShallowTWDToward
SHWRShowerTWRTower
SIERNEVSierra NevadaTWRGTowering
SIRSnow and ice on runwayTYPHTyphoon
SPECIUnscheduled aviation observationUIntensity unknown (wx reports only)
SLFSea level pressureUARoutine PIREP
SLPNOSea level pressure not availableUDDFUp and down drafts
SNINCRSnow increasing rapidlyUNSTBLUnstable
TCUTowering cumulusUNSTDYUnsteady
TDATodayUPRUpper

UTCUniversal coordinated timeWNDWind
UUAUrgent PIREPWRMWarm
VVariable (wx reports only)WRMFNTWarm front
VCSHShowers in vicinityWRNGWarning
VCTYVicinityWSHFTWind shift
VFRVisual flight rulesWWSevere weather forecast
VLYValleyWXWeather
VRBLVariableXObscured sky condition
VSBYVisibilityXCPExcept
WDLYWidelyYDAYesterday
WEAWeatherZUTC
WFPWarm front passageZRNOFreezing rain information not available (wx reports only)
WKWeak
WKNWeaken
WLWill
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