Aircrew Quick Reference To The METAR And TAF Codes

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Air Force Pamphlet 11-2381 November 2005Flying OperationsAircrewQuick Referenceto theMETAR and TAF CodesNOTICE: This publication is available digitally on theAFDPO WWW site at: http://www.e-publishing.af.mil

IntroductionThe Aircrew Quick Reference Guide to the METAR and TAF Codes isdesigned to help aircrews quickly and clearly translate METAR and TAFcodes into plain language. See references in Attachment 1 for a listing ofsource documents.METAR codes report observed weather conditions by airfield; TAF codesreport forecasted weather conditions by airfield. Both codes are lines oftext made up of data groups (or just “groups”) separated by spaces. Somedata groups are not discussed because they are intended for use by theweather community and are not useful for flight planning. Differencesbetween military and civilian renderings of the code are discussed whereappropriate.Aircrews should check METAR/TAF codes thoroughly for all hazards toflying safety, including thunderstorms, icing, turbulence, wind shear, andother elements that may significantly affect their aircraft. When usershave additional weather-related questions, they should contact a certifiedUS military forecaster or MAJCOM-approved weather source forclarification. Weather briefing requirements for USAF Aircrews arespelled out in AFI 11-202, Volume 3, General Flight Rules.SUMMARY OF REVISIONSCorrections to decode tables for icing and turbulence intensity in Figures 3and 4 made this revision necessary. Figures 1 and 2 are now presented inportrait format for user convenience. Additional edits, identified byvertical bars in the left margin, ease the interpretation of METAR and TAFcodes.OPR: AFFSA/XOF (Capt Kinser)Supersedes AFPAM 11-238, 1 Nov 00Certified by: HQ USAF/XOO (Maj Gen Teresa M. Peterson)Pages: 34 / Distribution F1

Table of ContentsSection I, METAR decoding:Report TypeLocation and Date/TimeAuto/CorWindWind VariabilityVisibilityRunway Visual RangeType of WeatherCloudsTemperature/DewpointAltimeter SettingRemarks, USRemarks, OverseasPage3456789101213141516Section II, TAF decoding:Report TypeLocationDate/TimeTime and Type of Change ExpectedWindVisibilityType of WeatherCloudsWind ShearIcingTurbulenceMinimum Altimeter igures1. Weather/Obscuration Table - METAR/TAF2. Remarks Decode Table - METAR3. Icing Intensity Decode Table - TAF4. Turbulence Intensity Decode Table - TAFPage11172728Attachments1. Glossary of References and Supporting Information2. Temperature Conversion, Fahrenheit to Celsius3. Reportable Visibility Conversion, Statute Miles to Meters4. Pressure Conversion, Millibars to InchesPage313233342

METARReport TypeWhat kind of report is this?METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT210V290 3/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN00501/M01 A2984 RMK A02 SLP034SPECI KBLV 011715Z 25015G30KT 210V290 3SMBR BKN015 01/M01 A2984 RMK SLP034METAR (Aviation Routine Weather Report) refers to ascheduled observation taken between 55-59 minutes past thehour (also referred to as a routine hourly observation).SPECI (Special Report) refers to an unscheduled observationthat met a predefined criteria (such as a change from VFR toIFR) and may be taken at 00-54 minutes past the hour. WhenSPECI criteria are met during the hourly observation timewindow (55-59 minutes past the hour), no special indication ismade. The new weather conditions are encoded in a standardMETAR report.3

METARLocation and Date/TimeHow do I determine the location and the date and time ofissuance?METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT210V290 3/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN00501/M01 A2984 RMK A02 SLP034The 4-character ICAO identifier that follows the report type isthe location identifier; KBLV (Scott AFB) is thelocation/station in this example.The 7-character group following the ICAO identifier is thedate and time of issuance. The first two digits are the date; thelast four digits are the coordinated universal time (UTC),sometimes called “zulu time.”In this example, 01 is the first day of the month, and 1657Zis 1657 UTC.4

METARAUTO/CORWhat does AUTO and/or COR mean, if included?Let’s look at the meanings of AUTO and COR separately.METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT 210V2903/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN005 01/M01 A2984 RMKA02A SLP034AUTO refers to an automated observation with measurements takenby equipment such as the domestic Automated Weather ObservingSystem (AWOS) or Automated Surface Observation System(ASOS), or the Air Force’s Automated Meteorological Station(AMS), also known as AN/FMQ-19. AO1 denotes an observationtaken by equipment lacking a precipitation type discriminator (rainvs. snow). AO2 denotes an observation taken by standardequipment with a full complement of sensors. A02A denotes anautomated observation augmented by a human observer.METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO COR 25015G30KT210V290 3/8SM R32L/1000FT FG FU BKN005 01/M01A2984 RMK A02A SLP034 COR 1725COR indicates a corrected observation. Disregard the previoustransmission. COR 1725 means that the correction wastransmitted at 1725Z.5

METARWindHow do I determine the wind speed and direction?METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT210V290 3/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN00501/M01 A2984 RMK A02 SLP034The data group followed by KT (knots) is the wind.The first three digits are the true direction to the nearest 10degrees from which the wind is blowing. The next two digitsare the sustained speed. If gusts are present, the next two orthree digits following the “G” are the “gust,” the maximumwind speed in the last ten minutes.In this example, the 25015G30KT group is the winddirection and speed. Here, the wind is blowing from 250degrees (true) at a sustained speed of 15 knots with 30-knotgusts.6

METARWind VariabilityHow do I determine if the wind is varying betweendirections?METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT210V290 3/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN00501/M01 A2984 RMK A02 SLP034A wind variability group will be reported if the wind isvariable by 60 degrees or more and the speed is greater than6 knots. This remark will contain the extremes of the winddirections, separated by “V.”In this example, 210V290 are reads, “wind direction varyingbetween 210 and 290.”7

METARVisibilityHow do I determine the prevailing visibility?METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT210V290 3/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN00501/M01 A2984 RMK A02 SLP034In this example, 3/8SM (3/8 of a statute mile) is the prevailingvisibility. Prevailing visibility is the greatest horizontalvisibility observed throughout at least half the horizon circle,and is not necessarily continuous.Sector visibility will be reported in the remarks section if itdiffers from the prevailing visibility and is less than 3 miles.For sector visibility format, see VIS remarks in Figure 2 onpage 17.METAR EDDF 071320Z 22008KT 9999 SCT036SCT090 BKN280 19/10 Q1011 NOSIGAt overseas locations, visibility is reported in meters, and SMis omitted. The largest reportable metric value is 9999. Thisvalue represents a visibility greater than 9000 meters (7 SM ormore). To convert visibility values from meters to statutemiles see Attachment 3 on page 33 or see Flight InformationHandbook conversion tables.8

METARRunway Visual Range, “R”What if there is a group that begins with the letter “R?”METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT 210V2903/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN005 01/M01 A2984 RMKA02 SLP034Runway Visual Range (RVR) follows the visibility and begins withthe letter “R.” The runway heading will follow the “R,” and in thisexample, “32L” represents runway 32-Left (C-Center, R-Right).The last four digits report the visibility in feet.In this example, R32L/1000FT reads, “runway visual range forrunway 32 Left is 1,000 ft.”At overseas locations, visibility is reported in meters, and FT isomitted from the RVR group. The same RVR at an overseaslocation would appear as R32L/0300 and read, “runway visualrange for 32 Left is 300 meters.”How would I decode the formats M0600FT or P6000FT orR06L2000V4000FT (not in example above)?M0600FTP6000FTR06L2000V4000FTReads, “RVR is less than 600 feet.”(M less than)Reads, “RVR is greater than 6,000feet.” (P greater than)Reads, “RVR for 6 Left is variablebetween 2,000 and 4,000 feet.”“V” indicates that the RVR isvariable between two thresholds.9

METARType of WeatherHow do I determine if there is any weather?METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT210V290 3/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN00501/M01 A2984 RMK A02 SLP034If a weather element (precipitation or obstruction to visibility)is observed, it will be found in the data group following thevisibility. The absence of a weather element group indicatesthat no precipitation or obstruction to visibility is occurring atthe time of the observation. In this example, “FG” represents“Fog.”To methodically decode a weather group, look for six keyelements (depending on the phenomena, one or more may beomitted). In order, these elements are: Intensity (symbolpreceding the code), Proximity, Descriptor, PrecipitationDescription, Obscuration (other than precipitation), andOther.For a complete table of weather group elements, see Figure 1on page 11.10

METARWeather/Obscuration TableFigure 1. Weather/Obscuration TablePhenomenon QualifiersElement 1: Intensitynone Element 2: ProximityVCLightModerateElement 3: DescriptionBCBLDRFZMIPRIn the vicinitynone On stationHeavyNote: can also meana well-developed dust storm,sandstorm, whirl, dust devil,tornado, or waterspoutSHTSPatchesBlowingLow DriftingFreezingShallowPartial (coveringpart of the sky)Shower(s)ThunderstormTypes of Weather PhenomenonElement 4: PrecipitationDZ DrizzleElement 5: ObscurationElement 6: OtherBR Mist, vis. 5/8SMDS Dust StormGR Hail, diam. 5mm (.25")GS Small Hail / Snow Pellets, DUFGdiam. 5mm (.25")IC Ice CrystalsPL Ice PelletsFURA RainHZSG Snow GrainsPYSN SnowSAUP Unknown PrecipitationVA(or 1000m)FC Funnel cloud(s)Widespread Duste.g., tornadoFog, vis. 5/8SM(or 1000m)SmokeHazeSprayor waterspoutPO Well-developeddust/sand whirlsSQ SquallsSS SandstormSandVolcanic Ash(Automated only)Examples: SHRASNPLTSRAGSBR HZBCFGPRFGheavy rain showers, snow, ice pelletsthunderstorm, moderate rain, small hailmist (vis. 5/8SM), hazepatchy fog (vis. 5/8SM)partial fog (sector vis. 5/8SM)11 DRSNVCSHFZDZBLPY DSheavy snow, driftingshowers in vicinityfreezing drizzleblowing sprayheavy dust storm

METARCloudsHow do I determine the layers of clouds?METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT 210V2903/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN005 01/M01 A2984 RMKA02 SLP034Each observed cloud layer is encoded in a cloud group with skycoverage, altitude of the cloud base above ground level (AGL), andsometimes cloud type. The first three letters of each cloud groupdenote sky coverage as in the table below. In the example above,BKN indicates broken cloud coverage. Then the cloud base of eachlayer is reported in hundreds of feet AGL. Append two zeros to thevalue given. In this example, 005 represents the value 500 feetAGL. Finally, codes for convective cloud types are appended.CB stands for cumulonimbus; TCU stands for towering cumulus.If surface-based clouds or other surface-based obscurations (e.g.,smoke, haze) are reported (i.e., cloud base is 000), then verticalvisibility, where available, is also reported in hundreds of feet,following the letters, VV. When the lowest broken or overcast cloudbase is indefinite, vertical visibility determines the ceiling.Sky coverage in eighths:SKCSky clearFEWFew -- 0-2 eighthsSCTScattered -- 3-4 eighthsBKN* Broken -- 5-7 eighthsOVC* Overcast -- 8 eighths* Constitutes a “ceiling”12

METARTemperature/DewpointHow do I determine the current temperature anddewpoint?METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT210V290 3/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN00501/M01 A2984 RMK A02 SLP034The group following the sky condition is the temperature anddewpoint information in degrees Celsius. To converttemperatures from Celsius to Fahrenheit see Attachment 2 onpage 32 or see Flight Information Handbook conversiontables.In this example, 01 is the temperature in degrees Celsius(1ºC), and M01 is the dewpoint in degrees Celsius (-1ºC).An “M” in the temperature field means “minus” (below zero).13

METARAltimeter SettingHow do I determine the current altimeter setting?METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT210V290 3/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN00501/M01 A2984 RMK A02 SLP034The 5-character group beginning with A, following thetemperature/dewpoint group is the altimeter setting in inchesand hundredths of an inch of mercury (inches Hg), used in theUnited States and at US airfields overseas. In this example,A2984 represents a current altimeter setting of 29.84 inchesHg.METAR EDDF 071320Z 22008KT 9999 SCT036SCT090 BKN280 19/10 Q1011 NOSIGThe 5-character group beginning with Q, following thetemperature/dewpoint group is the altimeter setting inhectopascals (hPa), used in some overseas locations. Ahectopascal is equivalent to a millibar (mb). In this example,Q1011 represents a current altimeter setting of 1011 hPa or1011 mb.To convert altimeter settings from mb (or hPa) to inches Hg,see Attachment 4 on page 34 or Flight Information Handbookconversion tables.14

METARRemarks, USWhat is RMK?METAR KBLV 011657Z AUTO 25015G30KT 210V2903/8SM R32L/1000FT FG BKN005 01/M01 A2984 RMKA02 SLP034In METAR reports from the United States and from overseas USmilitary airfields, RMK indicates the start of the Remarks section,following the altimeter setting. Remarks contain any pertinentinformation beyond the standard fields provided, and can be eitherencoded or spelled out in plain language. For a partial listing ofpossible METAR remarks, see Figure 2 on page 17. Additionalabbreviations are constructed in accordance with FAA Order7340.1, Contractions.In this example, the remark, SLP034, is the sea level pressure inmillibars (or hectopascals) to the nearest tenth. To decode, place a“10” or “9” before the first digit (use a 9 if the 3-digit value is 500or more), and place a decimal point before the last digit. The sealevel pressure remark in the above example would read “current sealevel pressure of 1003.4 millibars.”Caution: Do not confuse the METAR remarks “5####” group or“6####” group with the TAF “5######” (turbulence) group or theTAF “6######” (icing) group. Unlike TAF code usage, METAR“5” and “6” group codes indicate pressure tendency and cumulativeprecipitation amounts--if you need these values, contact yourweather provider for decoding instructions. See pages 27 and 28 formore info on decoding icing and turbulence forecasts.15

METARRemarks, OverseasWhat is supplemental information?Overseas (except at US military installations), METAR remarks are called“supplemental information.” Supplemental information follows thealtimeter setting and uses remark codes like US remarks, as in Figure 2 onpage 17, but is not preceded by RMK.Supplemental information can also include:- recent weather elements, coded with a leading RE,- sea surface temperature in ºC and sea state 0-9, coded W##/S#,- runway state, coded as an 8-digit numerical group determined byregional air navigation agreement, and/or- a 2-hour forecast trend as described below.METAR EDDF 071320Z 22008KT 9999 SCT036 SCT090BKN280 19/10 Q1011 NOSIGOverseas METAR forecast trend groups either start with BECMG orTEMPO, consistent with TAF coding conventions, or they consist entirelyof NOSIG, which indicates that no significant changes in reportableweather elements are expected during the 2 hours following the reportedobservation.METARs issued by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) observershave, as the last data group, a color code for ceiling and visibility data:NATO Airfield Weather Color Code.source: AFMAN 15-111 USAFESUP1Color CodeColor* Ceiling at or above: Visibility at or above:BLUblue2500 feet8000 metersWHTwhite1500 feet5000 metersGRNgreen700 feet3700 metersYLOyellow300 feet1600 metersAMBamber200 feet0800 metersREDred 200 feet 0800 metersAirfieldnotuseableforreasonsother thanBLACKblackceiling or visibility* Belgium, France, Netherlands, and United Kingdom use scattered clouds instead of ceiling16

METARRemarks Decode TableFigure 2. Remarks Decode TableA01 – Reported by automatedobservation equipment thatCANNOT distinguish between rainand snowA02 – Reported by automatedobservation equipment that CANdistinguish between rain and snowACC W – AltoCumulus Castellanusclouds WestACSL SW-S – AltoCumulus StandingLenticular clouds SouthWest throughSouthCB W MOV E – CumulonimBus cloudsWest MOVing EastCBMAM DSNT S – CumulonimBusMAMmatus clouds to the DiStaNTSouthCCSL OVR MT E – CirroCumulusStanding Lenticular clouds OVeRMounTain(s) to the EastCONS LTGCA – CONtinuouS (morethan 6 flashes per minute)LighTninG, Cloud to AirFROPA – due to FROntal PassageFRQ – FReQuent (1-6 flashes perminute for lightning)IR – Ice on RunwayLSR – Loose Snow on RunwayLTGCA – LighTninG, Cloud to AirLTGCC – LighTninG, Cloud to CloudLTGCG – LighTninG, Cloud to GroundLTGIC – LighTninG, In-CloudOCNL – OCcassioNaL (less than 1flash per minute for lightning)PK WND 28045/1955 – PeaK WiND280 at 45 knots occurred at 1955ZPK WND 34050/38 – PeaK WiND 340at 50 knots occurred at 38 minutespast the hourPRESRR / PRESFR – PRESsure Rising Rapidly /PRESsure Falling RapidlyPSR – Packed Snow on RunwayRAB20SNB20E55 – RAin and SNow Began at 20minutes past the hour, Ended at 55 min pastRCR01 – Runway Condition Reading – values 00to 25; higher values better for flight opsRCRNR – RCR-equipped, but No Report; or BaseOperations closedRSC – Runway Surface Condition as determinedby Airfield or Operations ManagerRVRNO – RVR-equipped, but NO reportSFC VIS 2 1/2 – SurFaCe VISibility is 2 ½ statutemiles; remarked when (lower) tower visibility isreported in METAR bodySLP015 – Sea Level Pressure is 1001.5 millibarsTCU OHD – Towering CUmulus clouds OverHeaDTCU W – Towering CUmulus clouds to the WestTSB05E30 – ThunderStorm Began at 05 minutespast the hour and Ended at 30 min pastTWR VIS 1 – ToWeR VISibility is 1 statute mile;remarked when (lower) surface visibility isreported in METAR bodyVIRGA – VIRGA at the station; precipitationobserved but not reaching the groundVIRGA DSNT NE – VIRGA to the DiStaNTNorthEastVIRGA SW – VIRGA to the SouthWestVIS 1V2 – VISibility is Variable between 1 and 2milesVIS 2 RWY 11 – VISibility is 2 statute miles atRunWaY 11VIS N 2 – VISibility in the Northern sector is 2statute milesWR – Wet RunwayWSHFT45 – Wind SHiFT at 45 minutes past thehour17

TAFReport TypeWhat type of report is this?TAFKBLV 051212 14005KT 8000 BR FEW030 WS010/18040KTQNH2960INSBECMG 1314 16010KT 3200 -SHRA OVC020 QNH2959INSTEMPO 1416 21015G30KT 1600 TSRA BKN008CB OVC020BECMG 1617 29008KT 3200 -RA OVC030 620304 QNH2958INSBECMG 1819 31012G22KT 9999 NSW SCT040 WSCONDS 520004QNH2952INSBECMG 2021 30008KT 9999 SKC QNH2950INS T08/18Z M01/11ZTAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) is a weather forecast at an airport or militarybase for a specific period (usually 24 hours).TAFKBLV AMD 051812 21015G30KT 0800 TSRA BKN008CB OVC020BECMG 1819 29008KT 1600 -RA OVC030 620304 QNH2958INSBECMG 1920 31012G22KT 9999 NSW SCT040 520004 QNH2952INSBECMG 2021 30008KT 9999 SKC QNH2950INS T08/18Z M01/11ZAMD 1820AMD (Amended Aerodrome Forecast) is issued because the previous version is nolonger representative of the current or expected weather. The amended TAFsupersedes the previous TAF. In the above example, AMD 1820 indicates that theforecast was amended at 1820Z. Always refer to the date/time group at the end ofthe TAF to determine the most current forecast.TAFKBLV AMD COR 051812 21015G30KT 0800 TSRA BKN005CBOVC020BECMG 1819 29008KT 1600 -RA OVC030 620304 QNH2958INSBECMG 1920 31012G22KT 9999 NSW SCT040 520004 QNH2952INSBECMG 2021 30008KT 9999 SKC QNH2950INS T08/18Z M01/11ZCOR 1925COR (Corrected Aerodrome Forecast) is a TAF that has been corrected. When acorrected TAF is issued, disregard previous TAFs. In the above example, COR1925 indicates that the amended forecast was corrected at 1925Z. Always refer tothe date/time group at the end of the TAF for the most current forecast.18

TAFLocationHow do I

The Aircrew Quick Reference Guide to the METAR and TAF Codes is designed to help aircrews quickly and clearly translate METAR and TAF codes into plain language. See references in Attachment 1 for a listing of source documents. METAR codes report observed weather conditions by airfield; TAF codes report forecasted weather conditions by airfield.

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