METAR/TAF YOUR
“NEW” AVIATION
WEATHER FORMAT
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 NEW METAR/TAF CODES
BECOME EFFECTIVE
Beginning
Oct 1996
MILITARY BASES CURRENTLY
USING SIMILAR FORMAT
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What is
METAR/TAF?
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METAR
AVIATION ROUTINE WEATHER
REPORTS
TAF
AERODROME FORECASTS
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METAR/TAF
SIGNIFICANT CODE CHANGES
FOR METAR
ELEMENTS PRESENTED IN A
DIFFERENT ORDER
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To help remember the sequence, think
of 3W’s at the beginning...
Where, When, and Wind
KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT
This works for METAR as well as TAF!
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The body of
METAR
WIND /
VISIBILITY /
WEATHER / SKY
CONDITION
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Current U.S. SA
PIT SA 1955 E10 OVC 3 /4TRW
64/60/2215G25/992/
R28RVR2600
1996 U.S. METAR
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
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METAR/TAF
 Visibility - Annotated by Statute Miles
 Weather Phenomena -SHSN +SHRA
 Present 2 Letter Weather Code Dropped
 Cloud Types Identified only if CB or TCU
 V V - Replaces Indefinite Ceiling
 V V001 Same as Old W1X0F
 V V/// Means Indefinite Ceiling, Height not
Known.
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METAR/TAF
 ALL TEMPERATURES AND
DEWPOINTS WILL BE IN CELSIUS
 ALL TEMPERATURES IN 2 DIGITS
 BELOW ZERO TEMPS INDICATED BY “M”
EXAMPLE: 02/M03
 ALTIMETER ANNOTATED BY “A”
EXAMPLE: A2992
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METAR/TAF
Current SAO
PIT SA 1955 M10 OVC 3/4TRW
132/59/52/2215G25/992/
R28RRVR2600
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METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
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METAR/TAF
OK, LET’S
TEST FLY
METAR !
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METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: Routine Hourly Observation
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METAR/TAF
SPECI KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: Special or Record Special
Report
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METAR/TAR
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: Reporting Point Using Four
Letters - Domestic U.S. Begins With “K”
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METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: Observation taken on
20thday of month, at 1955 UTC (Zulu)
Time always in 4 digits
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METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: Surface winds from 220
degrees at 15 Knots Gusting to 25
Knots
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METAR/TAF
 Calm winds indicated by: 00000KT
 22015KT 180V260 - When wind
direction varies 60 degrees or more
and wind is greater than 6 Knots
 VRB - When wind direction is variable
and speed less than or equal to 6 knots
 RMK - Peak wind data reported in
remarks section when max.
instantaneous speed is greater than 25
knots - 22030/15
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METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: Visibility is 3/4 STATUTE
MILES - Note annotation of “SM”
Miles and fractions are also reported
(e.g.., 2 3/4SM for 2 and 3/4 miles vis.)
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METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: For Runway 28 Right, The
RVR is Reported as 2600 Feet
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METAR/TAF
More visibility codes you may see:
 “M” - Indicates RVR is less than lowest
reportable sensor value (M600FT)
 “P” - Indicates RVR is greater than reportable
sensor value (P6000FT)
 “V” - Indicates RVR is variable
(R06L/2000V4000FT) - Runway 6L RVR is
variable between 2000 feet and 4000 feet
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METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB
18/16 A2992
Explanation: Thunderstorms and
Rainshowers of Moderate Intensity at the
time of observation
[ “-” indicates light, “+” indicates heavy ]
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METAR/TAF
Significant Weather Codes:
 Format is a two letter character descriptor :
(TS, SH, FZ, etc...)
 Followed by a two character weather
phenomenon ( RA, SN, FG, etc...)
All codes in the abbreviation
section of METAR/TAF Booklet
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METAR/TAF
Cloud height is reported in
hundreds of feet.
When clouds are towering
cumulus or cumulonimbus,
TCU or CB will follow cloud
heights.
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METAR/TAF
Clouds are categorized based
on eights (octas) of sky cover.
SKC - SKY CLEAR
FEW - 1-2 OCTAS
SCT - 3-4 OCTAS
BKN - 5-7 OCTAS
OVC 8 OCTAS
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METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: Overcast Cloud Deck at
1000 Feet with Cumulonimbus Clouds
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METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: Temperature is 18 Celsius,
Dew Point is 16
 Below Zero Reported With Minus as “M06”
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METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z
22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: Altimeter Setting - Now Four
Digits - In U.S. “A” Indicates Inches of
Mercury. “Q” is Metric (HectoPascals)
Not used in U.S.
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METAR/TAF
TAF’s Exclude Temperature,
Turbulence and Icing Forecast
TAF AMD - Amended Forecast
NSW - No Significant Weather
SKC - Clear Skies
VC - Vicinity, but not at Aerodome;
in U.S. (5-10 Statute Miles from
Center of Runway Complex)..
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METAR/TAF
OKAY, LETS
TRY A SHORT
QUIZ ON
METAR !
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METAR/TAF
METAR KATL 101050Z 00000KT
15SM SKC 26/18 A3021
Easy, Right ?
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Current U.S. SA
DTW SA 1050 5 SCT 10 SCT E18
BKN 25 OVC 7/8SW
10/03/3115G27/937
1996
INTERNATIONAL
METAR
METAR EGLL 151050Z
31015G27KT 280V350
1400SW 6000N R24LP1500
+SHRA SCT005 SCT010CB
BKN018 OVC025 10/03 Q0995
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METAR
ASOS/AWOS
METAR KOWA 251955Z AUTO
31008 10SM FEW015 SCT025
05/M05 A2992 RMK AO2
SLP013 T00471054
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METAR/TAF
TAF’s are scheduled for
issuance four times daily at
00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and 18Z.
TAF, contains a definitive
forecast for specific time
periods and will replace the
Terminal Forecast
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Current U.S. FT
PIT 091818 C20 BKN 3RW.
20Z C15 OVC 3RW OCNL C8 OVC
1/2 TRW.
23Z C20 BKN 40 OVC 5RW CHC
1RF.
10Z C20 OVC 5R-.13Z CLR...
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METAR/TAF
TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT
3SM -SHRA BKN020
FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA
OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA
OVC008CB..
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020
OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM RA FG..
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC
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METAR/TAF
TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA
BKN020
FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015
PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040
TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC
THE
SECRET:
Break it down
by time
frames!
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METAR/TAF
HOW TO IDENTIFY
THE TIME FRAMES:
FM2000 - FroM and 4-digit group, hour
and minute : indicates significant
change.
PROB40 2022- PROBability of condition
during 2-digit beginning and 2-digit
ending time..
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METAR/TAF
HOW TO IDENTIFY
THE TIME FRAMES:
TEMPO 0407 - TEMPOrary, changes
expected for less than 1 hour at a time.
BECMG 1315 - BECoMinG, changes
expected during 2-digit beginning and
2-digit ending time period...
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METAR/TAF
TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818
Explanation: Pittsburgh, PA,
Terminal Forecast Issued on the
9th at 17:20Z and Valid from the
9th starting at 18:00Z until the
10th at 18:00Z
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METAR/TAF
TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT
3SM -SHRA BKN020
FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA
OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA
OVC008CB..
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020
OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM RA FG..
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC
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METAR/TAF
091818 22020KT 3SM
-SHRA BKN020
TAF KPIT 091720Z
FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015
PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040
TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC
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METAR/TAF
1818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA
BKN020
 Explanation: From the Beginning of the
Forecast period (18:00Z) Until the Next
Time Frame, the Forecast Winds 220
Degrees at 20Knots, Visibility 3 Statue
Miles, in Light Rain Showers with a
Broken Ceiling of 2000 Feet
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METAR/TAF
TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA
BKN020
FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA
OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA
OVC008CB..
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040
TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC
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METAR/TAF
FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA
OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA
OVC008CB..
 Explanation: The First Part, From
2000Z, Forecast Winds From 300
Degrees at 15 Knots Gusting to 25
Knots, Visibility 3 Statue Miles in
Moderate Rain Showers, With an
Overcast Ceiling at 1500 Feet.
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METAR/TAF
FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA
OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA
OVC008CB..
 Explanation: The Second Part,
Between, 20Z and 22Z, Forecasts a
Probability of the Visibility Going Down
to 1/2 Statue Mile in Thunder Storms
and Moderate Rain Showers With the
Ceiling Lowering to 800 Feet with
Cumulonimbus Clouds.
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METAR/TAF
TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA
BKN020
FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015
PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020
OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM RA FG..
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC
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METAR/TAF
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020
OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM RA FG..
Remember Time
Frames? There are two
Within This Example.
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METAR/TAF
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020
OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM RA FG..
Explanation: From 2300Z Until 1000Z the
Winds are Expected to be From 270
Degrees at 8 Knots, Visibility 5 Statue
Miles in Light Rain Showers, With a
Broken Ceiling at 2000 Feet and
Overcast Ceiling at 4000 Feet.
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METAR/TAF
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020
OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM RA FG..
Explanation: Between 04Z and 07Z the
Forecast Calls for Calm Winds,
Visibility Temporarily Decreasing to 1
Statue Mile in Light Rain and Fog.
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METAR/TAF
TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA
BKN020
FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015
PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040
TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC
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METAR/TAF
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
 Explanation: From 1000Z (Until 1800Z)
the Forecast Calls for Winds From 220
Degrees at 10 Knots, Visibility 5 Statute
Miles in Light Rain Showers, With an
Overcast Ceiling at 2000 Feet. (Notice Not CB or TCU Type Cloud)
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METAR/TAF
TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA
BKN020
FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015
PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040
TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
FM10 00 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC
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METAR/TAF
BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC
 Explanation: The Weather Becoming
Between 13Z and 15Z, Surface Winds
From 200 Degrees at 10 Knots and
Visibility of More Than 6 Statute Miles,
with No Significant Weather and Clear
Skies.
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METAR/TAF
BECMG
CLR ?
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METAR/TAF
QUESTIONS ?
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METAR/TAF
Thank You!
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