Questions tagged [metar]

METAR is a format for reporting the latest available weather information. It is similar to but distinct from TAF.

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How can I determine the level of clouds of operational significance in METAR?

Considering that Minimum sector altitude of the airport = 10500 feet Airport elevation from MSL = 2500 feet What is the level of clouds of operational significance in METAR for this airport? Should we ...
Rebin Salar's user avatar
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Are airport codes with digits valid or pseudo ICAO codes?

Official definition states that an ICAO designator consists of 4 letters (A-Z). But there seems to be quite a lot of airports in the U.S. that don't follow this guideline. Of those, about 300 ...
Studio Eveline's user avatar
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How can I check before my flight that the cloud separation requirements in VFR flight rules are met?

How can I check before my flight that the cloud separation requirements in VFR flight rules are met? As it is known, in order to fly VFR, the rules of 1000 feet vertical and 1500 meters horizontal ...
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What exactly is the interval and duration of occurrence represented by the acronym TEMPO?

What exactly is the interval and duration of occurrence represented by the acronym TEMPO? When we look at this How to interpret BECMG and TEMPO in TAF? question, we see the following in the answer ...
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What are the automated station types their meaning and how to determine the automated station type from a Metar report?

aviation weather documentation shows that they check for 6 automated station types. auto_station Indicates that the automated station type is one of the following: A01,A01A,A02,A02A,AOA,AWOS What ...
user68034's user avatar
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What is the explanation of R28///// in METAR? [duplicate]

In an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR), what is the explanation for R28///// in the RVR section? R28 stands for Runway 28 ...
Krishna Kanth's user avatar
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What minimum equipment is needed to generate a METAR + MOS?

What specifically is the minimum equipment needed to generate a computerized METAR with: Wind Ceiling Visibility WX Temp DewPt Altimeter Density Alt Clouds and a MOS with: Winds Visibility Clouds ...
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How far does the lightning detector work at an AWOS station, as reported in a METAR?

I noticed on my local airport's METAR that there was distant lightning to the east. I am near Kansas City. When I looked at radar, the only possible system that could produce lightning was in the St. ...
Tyler Young's user avatar
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What does AO2A in the remarks of a METAR mean?

I am familiar with AO2 in the METAR remarks as described in this answer, which means the station is automated and has a precipitation discriminator. I have noticed sometimes there is AO2A in the ...
Orienteer's user avatar
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What does W13/S3 mean in this METAR report?

Looking at a recent METAR report for ENQA, I see W13/S3 at the end: ...
Sameer Puri's user avatar
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What is inflated wind speed?

According to NOAA, inflated wind speed is "the true wind speed (in knots) adjusted to improve forecasts of higher wind speeds. Wind speeds greater than the mean wind speed observed are increased, ...
Zaz's user avatar
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What does Region @TOP mean on the aviationweather.gov website?

When looking at raw METAR data on the aviation weather center, "@TOP" appears in the text box where you can type identifiers. What does TOP mean?
Name's user avatar
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Can gusts be reported as lower than wind speed?

KADS 072350Z 31030G20KT 13SM SKC 24/02 A2980 I’ve never seen a negative gust factor before. Is that a real thing (and if so, what does it mean), or did someone just make a typo?
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How long is a METAR valid for after issuance?

I was wondering how long is the METAR report valid for after issuance? I know some airports issue them every 30 minutes and some every hour. So I wanted to know if a METAR is issued at 8:30AM then ...
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What does this symbol mean?

Does anybody know what the icon inside the circle mean ? Found at aviationweather.gov
Yuzard 01's user avatar
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What does the SOG part of this METAR mean?

CWKX 231700Z AUTO 12001KT M05/M07 RMK AO1 SOG 32 6023 SLP123 T10471068 Does anyone know what “SOG 32 6023” means? Also why is that type of metar have a bunny icon in it instead of the M or the ...
Yuzard 01's user avatar
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What do these two METAR codes mean?

METAR YPJT 070300Z AUTO 10010KT 9999 // NCD 27/10 Q1018 RMK RF00.0/000.0 In the above METAR report, I have two questions: What does the fraction "27/10" mean? What does "RF00.0/000.0&...
JandyPilot's user avatar
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1.VRB02KT: Is it varying more or less than 180°? 2.VRB03KT: Is it surely varying more than 180°? [duplicate]

Based on the following ICAO Annex 3 criteria for the use of the abbreviation VRB (not FAA, which is different and evident): when the total variation is 60° or more and less than 180° and the wind ...
Marcos's user avatar
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Can the "G" and "VRB" wind conditions be combined in METARs?

I have never seen the "VRB" (for wind direction variations < 60°; e.g. VRB12003KT) and "G" annotation (for gusts > 10KT wind speed difference; e.g. 12003GT30KT) being combined in a METAR. Until ...
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Can weather groups contain multiple descriptors in a METAR?

I understand that a weather group in a METAR is composed of qualifiers (intensity, descriptor) and the weather phenomenon: precipitation, obscuration and other phenomena. My question is can weather ...
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Does a METAR report variable wind direction in a clockwise direction?

Does the convention for reporting variable wind direction always use a clockwise (nautical) sense? For example, if the wind varies between 340 degrees and 10 degrees, assuming a clockwise sense the ...
Brian's user avatar
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What is the difference between RVR and visibility?

What is the difference between Runway Visual Range (RVR) and visibility? Looking at the definitions, both RVR and visibility tells the pilot whether they have enough visibility to land on the runway ...
Johnson's user avatar
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What does BLU+ mean in a METAR?

I know that BLU is military code and means "Ceiling at or above 2,500 feet; Visibility at or above 8,000 meters". ...
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What is 0650// in the metar?

I have this metar, I cannot find anywhere what does 0650// or 1600// or 0250// mean. I ...
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How would SLP997 be calculated on a METAR?

How would SLP997 be calculated on a METAR? I understand that SLP117 say would be 1011.7 hPa, but I am sure that SLP997 is not 1099.7 as that would be impossibly high.
rainkinz's user avatar
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Why are RVR values reported in good visibility?

I just pulled the METAR for KLAX. Why are they reporting an RVR value for runway 25L if visibility is 9 statute miles? KLAX 281553Z 00000KT 9SM R25L/2400VP6000FT FEW012 FEW045 18/08 A3000 RMK AO2 ...
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How does ceiling relate to IFR and VFR?

I'm working on a Python script that takes in metar data and decides if an airport is VFR/IFR/MVFR etc. This is the website that I'm getting the info from: https://www.aviationweather.gov/metar/data?...
Matt Damoz's user avatar
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2 answers
10k views

What does NSC mean in a METAR?

Here's a METAR: SCEL 090000Z 15005KT 5000 HZ NSC 10/08 Q1020 NOSIG What does NSC mean?
Pondlife's user avatar
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What does "FG BNK" mean in a metar?

Here's the KLAX METAR 2153Z observation: KLAX 102153Z 27010KT 10SM FEW002 BKN200 24/16 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP147 FG BNK S-NW T02390156 $
slantalpha's user avatar
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Where can I find the latest METAR and TAF for RPVK / Kalibo International Airport?

What website holds the latest METAR and TAF for RPVK / Philippine weather? In aviation weather the information does not exist at all times. Could you suggest an other website that provides the ...
gerold's user avatar
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What does it mean when there is no ceiling or "CLR" in an airport METAR?

Here's the current METAR at KFLG: KFLG 210657Z AUTO 21010KT 3/4SM -SN BR VV010 M07/M09 A2961 RMK AO2 SLP044 P0003 T10721094 410331178 It doesn't have anything about cloud layers or "CLR", but it ...
slantalpha's user avatar
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What do the remarks of this metar mean? "RMK SC1SC5AC1 AC TR SLP116"

Here's the current METAR from CYYZ: CYYZ 140700Z 26011KT 15SM FEW025 BKN045 BKN080 M05/M08 A2984 RMK SC1SC5AC1 AC TR SLP116 Does anyone know what each section of text of the remarks section means?
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What does I1001 mean in a METAR remarks?

Here is an actual METAR example: KOMA 190352Z 36017G26KT 3SM -SN OVC012 M08/M11 A3014 RMK AO2 PK WND 36027/0302 FZDZE37SNB27 SLP220 P0000 I1001 T10831111 $ What ...
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Use of a METAR when $ is present [duplicate]

I fly out of an uncontrolled airport that has an unmanned, automated weather reporting site with a precipitation sensor (AO2). The METAR often has a \$ symbol at the end of the report, indicating ...
Patrick's user avatar
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Why does GR mean hail in a METAR?

Wouldn't you think they'd choose HL instead? That might confuse pilots who frequently see SS (Sandstorms), DS (Dust Storms) and VA (Volcanic Ash).
wiaim's user avatar
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How can an inexperienced pilot tell if the weather is good enough for flying?

When I look at weather in the morning of my flight, it looks good. However, the actual determination can be made later during the day closer to my flight time. Being a student pilot, how can I ...
Marcello Miorelli's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
199 views

Did these weather conditions require the airline to cancel a flight? [duplicate]

[I do not believe this question duplicates a previous question, which involves different conditions and circumstances] I'm interested in the airline's response to a query of mine about why a flight ...
Douglas Baer's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
621 views

What does METAR show when actual RVR is below the reporting minimum?

RVR is measured between 50m and 1500m (ICAO). When the actual RVR is below 50m, what does METAR show?
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On a METAR, what does DSPTD mean?

KDEN is currently reporting the following METAR: SPECI KDEN 090325Z 34031G37KT 10SM -PLRA FEW015 OVC036 08/03 A2992 RMK AO2 PK WND 35037/0325 RAB04PLB25 TS DSPTD P0000 T00830028 $ I have no idea ...
newmanth's user avatar
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How are altimeter settings estimated?

So, I spotted another weird METAR from the same place that spawned the first one I asked about (it's a USAF base if you're wondering what kind of 'drome it is): K... 060846Z 00000KT 10SM OVC002 18/...
UnrecognizedFallingObject's user avatar
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1 answer
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How to decode this METAR published during huricane Harvey?

I have the following METAR from the FAA Aviation Weather Center (AWC) website for KCRP (Corpus Christi Airport): ...
slantalpha's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
1k views

How are METARs published?

I use https://flightplanning.navcanada.ca to get METARs and TAFs for my local stations. While listening to CYPK tower at work I noticed something in the header of my VLC: That's a METAR! But why ...
Tobias's user avatar
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What does the code FU1FU2FU5 mean in this metar?

In their METAR, CYPK reported ... 25SM FEW037 SCT050 OVC250 21/15 A3016 RMK FU1FU2FU5 DENSITY ALT 400FT. Since it's quite smokey out, I would have expected a ...
Tobias's user avatar
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10 votes
3 answers
11k views

How to programmatically access AIP data, METAR, TAF, NOTAMs?

I'm looking at developing an app where one of the functions I would like to implement needs to use data which is normally available in AIP, like: Aerodrome names, ICAO codes, GPS location, elevation ...
mike's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
7k views

What is this weird format (R06L/CLRD62) in METAR for runway being cleared?

Yesterday, this metar was published: METAR UUEE 292000Z 07003MPS CAVOK 17/12 Q1013 R06L/CLRD62 R06R/CLRD62 NOSIG= Can someone explain the meaning of the ...
assylias's user avatar
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What are the criteria for "variable" in METAR reports?

Regarding variable wind direction in METAR reports, what are the criteria for VARIABLE when the authority uses "VRB"? An Advisory Circular mentions the authority uses "V" when the wind direction ...
Aviat's user avatar
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11 votes
5 answers
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Why do NOTAMs consist of code instead of plain language?

I'm currently getting thru a PPL course book and I don't understand this. Is there any purpose of sending NOTAMs in this format: "RWY 08R/26L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL" ...
super jet 100's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
76k views

What are ISA +10, ISA -15 and ISA -30?

I have found out that an ISA atmosphere is: 15 °C temperature 5 °C dewpoint 1013.25 hPa pressure What are the conditions of an ISA +10, ISA -15 and ISA -30? I know the temperature, but what are ...
Invariant's user avatar
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What is the relationship between temperature, dew point and the formation of clouds?

What can you infer from the temperature / dew point values in this METAR? EGJG 121630Z 09012KT 9999 SCT006 15/14 Q1015 I understand the temperature is 15 degrees and the dew point is 14, and I ...
Marcello Miorelli's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
251 views

Aerodrome actual weather - METAR decode - 3 letters for this sky?

How can I describe this sky, in 3 letters as per the Aerodrome actual weather - METAR decode? I found online a comprehensive list of Metar codes
Marcello Miorelli's user avatar