METAR is the
name of the international meteorological code for an aviation routine weather report
. METAR observations are normally taken and disseminated on the hour.
How do I read a METAR code?
The first two digits are the date, the 16th of the month, and the last four digits are the time of the METAR, which is always given in
coordinated universal time
(UTC), otherwise known as Zulu time. A “Z” is appended to the end of the time to denote that the time is given in Zulu time (UTC) as opposed to local time.
What does METAR mean?
Definition.
Meteorological Terminal Air Report
(METAR) – literally ‘Meteorological Terminal Air Report’ or more straightforwardly ‘Routine aerodrome meteorological report’
Why are METARs coded?
The METAR code
provides the direction of the wind relative to true north
, as well as the average wind speed expressed in knots. After the code that gives the direction and the average speed of the wind, another may appear in the form XXXVYYY, which indicates that the wind direction varies between XXX and YYY.
What are METARs used for?
METAR is a format for
reporting weather information
. A METAR weather report is predominantly used by aircraft pilots, and by meteorologists, who use aggregated METAR information to assist in weather forecasting. Raw METAR is the most common format in the world for the transmission of observational weather data.
How do I get metar?
There are two primary places to get METARs and TAFs:
NOAA’s aviation weather site
or an aviation app on your smart device. I personally use Foreflight. It is hands down the most advanced aviation and weather flight planning tool out there.
What does P mean in Metar?
P. indicates
greater than the highest reportable value
.
PCPN
.
precipitation
.
What does V mean in METAR?
V –
Varying
. VIRGA – Virga. VRB – Variable. VRB VIS – Variable Visibility. VV – Vertical Visibility, indefinite ceiling.
Is METAR AGL or ASL?
TAF’s and
METAR’s are always AGL
. Area Forecasts (FA) are always MSL unless the height is specifically tagged AGL or CIG (for “ceiling”).
How much area does a METAR cover?
An automated METAR with no human supervision covers the conditions
within approximately 6 inches of the weather station reporting it
(for example, a badly positioned AWOS/ASOS station may be shielded from wind in some directions which affects what it reports).
What does 9999 mean in TAF?
9999. This value represents
a visibility greater than 9000
.
meters (7 SM or more)
. The contraction CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK) may be used when there is no significant weather, the visibility is 10 km or greater, and the ceilings are greater than 5,000 ft.
How long is a TAF valid?
Routine TAFs are valid for
a 24-hour period
and issued four times daily: 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and 18Z, and are amended (updated) as conditions require.
WHO issues SIGMETs?
NWS
has four Meteorological Watch Offices which issue SIGMETs: the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Aviation Weather Cen- ter (AWC), Alaskan Aviation Weather Unit (AAWU), the Honolulu Forecast Office and the Guam Forecast Office.
How long is a Pirep valid for?
How long is a PIREP valid? Operationally
about 5 – 10 min.
The weather is dynamic.
Are METAR clouds AGL or MSL?
Remember, METAR and TAF report the height of
clouds AGL
, not MSL. OVC040 = Overcast at 4,000 ft above the airport.
Are Metars forecasts?
A METAR (METeorological Aerodrome Report) is an observation and provides information about the current weather. Sometimes a METAR also gives a
short-term forecast
.
