Decoding Guide
Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) and Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)
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TAF KPIT 091730Z 091818 15005KT 5SM HZ FEW020 WS010/31022KT FM1930 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 TEMPO 2022 1/2SM +TSRA OVC008CB FM0100 27008KT 5SM SHRA BKN020 0VC040 PROB40 0407 1SM -RA BR FM1015 18005KT 6SM -SHRA OVC020 BECMG 1315 P6SM NSW SKC
METAR KPIT 091955Z COR 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28L/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992 RMK SLP045 T01820159 |
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| Forecast | Explanation | Report |
| TAF | Message type: TAF-routine or TAF AMD-amended forecast, METAR-hourly, SPECI-special or TESTM-non-commissioned ASOS report | METAR |
| KPIT | ICAO location indicator | KPIT |
| 091730Z | Issuance time: ALL times in UTC "Z", 2-digit date, 4-digit time | 091955Z |
| 091818 | Valid period: 2-digit date, 2-digit beginning, 2-digit ending times | |
| In U.S. METAR: CORrected ob; or AUTOmated ob for automated report with no human intervention; omitted when observer logs on | COR | |
| 15005KT | Wind: 3 digit true-north direction, nearest 10 degrees (or VaRiaBle); next 2-3 digits for speed and unit, KT (KMH or MPS); as needed, Gust and maximum speed; 00000KT for calm; for METAR, if direction varies 60 degrees or more, Variability appended, e.g. 180V260 | 22015G25KT |
| 5SM | Prevailing visibility: in U.S., Statute Miles & fractions; above 6 miles in TAF Plus6SM. (Or, 4-digit minimum visibility in meters and as required, lowest value with direction) | 3/4SM |
| Runway Visual Range: R; 2-digit runway designator Left, Center, or Right as needed; "/"; Minus or Plus in U.S, 4-digit value, FeeT in U.S. (usually meters elsewhere); 4-digit value Variability 4-digit value (and tendency Down, Up or No change) | R28L/2600FT | |
| HZ | Significant present, forecast and recent weather: see table (below) | TSRA |
| FEW020 | Cloud amount, height and type: SKy Clear 0/8, FEW >0/8-2/8, SCaTtered 3/8-4/8, BroKeN 5/8-7/8, OVerCast 8/8; 3-digit height in hundreds of ft; Towering CUmulus or CumulonimBus in METAR; in TAF, only CB. Vertical Visibility for obscured sky and height "VV004". More than 1 layer may be reported or forecast. In automated METAR reports only, CLeaR for "clear below 12,000 feet" | OVC010CB |
| Temperature: degrees Celsius; first 2 digits, temperature "/" last 2 digits, dew-point temperature; Minus for below zero, e.g., M06 | 18/16 | |
| Altimeter setting: indicator and 4 digits; in U.S., A-inches and hundredths; (Q-hectoPascals, e.g. Q1013) | A2992 | |
| WS010/31022KT | In U.S. TAF, non-convective low-level (<=2,000 ft)Wind Shear; 3-digit height (hundreds of ft); "/", 3-digit wind direction and 2-3 digit wind speed above the indicated height, and unit, KT | |
| In METAR, ReMarK indicator & remarks. For example:Sea-Level Pressure in hectoPascals & tenths, as shown: 1004.5 hPa; Temp/dew-point in tenths °C, as shown: temp 18.2°C, dew-point 15.9°C | RMK SLP045 T01820159 | |
| FM1930 | FroM and 2-digit hour and 2-digit minute beginning time: indicates significant change. Each FM starts on a new line, indented 5 spaces. | |
| TEMPO 2022 | TEMPOrary: changes expected for < 1 hour and in total, < half of 2-digit hour beginning and 2-digit hour ending time period | |
| PROB40 0407 | PROBability and 2-digit percent (30 or 40): probable condition during 2-digit hour beginning and 2-digit hour ending time period | |
| BECMG 1315 | BECoMinG: change expected during 2-digit hour beginning and 2-digit hour ending time period | |
Table of Significant Present, Forecast and Recent Weather - Grouped in categories and used in the order listed below; or as needed in TAF, No Significant Weather.
QUALIFIER
Intensity or Proximity - Light "no sign" Moderate + Heavy VC Vicinity: but not at aerodrome; in U.S. METAR, between 5 and 10SM of the point(s) of observation; in U.S. TAF, 5 to 10SM from center of runway complex (elsewhere within 8000m)
Descriptor
MI - Shallow // BC - Patches // PR - Partial // TS - Thunderstorm // BL - Blowing // SH - Showers // DR - Drifting // FZ - Freezing
WEATHER PHENOMENA
Precipitation
DZ - Drizzle // RA - Rain // SN - Snow // SG - Snow grains // IC - Ice crystals // PL - Ice pellets // GR - Hail // GS - Small hail/snow pellets // UP - Unknown precipitation in automated observations
Obscuration
BR Mist(>= 5/8SM) FG Fog(< 5/8SM) FU Smoke VA Volcanic Ash SA Sand HZ Haze PY Spray DU Widespread dustOther
SQ Squall SS Sandstorm DS Dust storm PO Well developed FC Funnel cloud +FC tornado/waterspout dust/sand whirls- Explanations in parentheses "( )" indicate different worldwide practices.
- Ceiling is not specified; defined as the lowest broken or overcast layer, or the vertical visibility.
- NWS TAFs exclude turbulence, icing & temperature forecasts; NWS METARs exclude trend fcsts
- Although not used in US, Ceiling And Visibility OK replaces visibility, weather and clouds if: visibility >=10km; no cloud below 5000 ft (1500m) or below the highest minimum sector altitude, whichever is greater and no CB; and no precipitation, TS, DS, SS, MIFG, DRDU, DRSA, or DRSN.