USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
Pegasus Flight Training (Oxford)
Information guide
Using aviation weather reports and forecasts

Decoding a METAR

Decoding a TAF

Spot wind chart Form 214

Low level forecast Form 215

Abbreviations used in forecasting and reporting
All examples are taken from information published by the Met Office www.metoffice.com
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
DECODING A METAR
METAR’s (Meteorological Aerodrome Reports) use a standard format for setting out a weather report

Aerodrome name

Aerodrome ICAO designator

Time of report

Wind

Visibility

Cloud

Temperature / Dew point

Pressure
The layout will look like this example:
[Aerodrome name] [Aerodrome ICAO designator] [Time of report] [Wind] [Visibility] [Cloud]
[Temperature / Dew point] [Pressure]
There may be additional information in the form of:
Temporary changes
AERODROME NAME
For example uses Luton in Bedfordshire
AERODROME ICAO DESIGNATOR
The ICAO, International Civil Aviation Organisation, four letter code for Luton is EGGW. All UK
designators start with EG the third and fourth letters are unique to the aerodrome. BB is Birmingham, LL is
London Heathrow, BZ is Brize Norton etc
PERIOD OF REPORT
Given as DDHHHH. For example 050918 is a report for the 5 th day of the month between 0900 hours and
1800 hours.
WIND
Given as surface wind direction and strength.
For example 21010KT is wind from 210 degrees at 10 knots. If the wind has significant gusts the gust
strength is shown after a G. For example 21010G25KT indicates a wind from 210 degrees at 10 knots
gusting to 25 knots.
VISIBILITY
Surface visibility in metres. Visibility is always given as a four figure number the greatest being 9999
meaning visibility of 10 kilometres or more.
7000 indicates 7000 metres visibility.
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
Restricted visibility may be qualified as FG meaning Fog, HZ meaning Haze or BR meaning Mist (from the
French for word for mist Brume).
CLOUD
The forecast will give the expected lower level of cloud. The amount and level are quantified.
Cloud cover is estimated as a proportion of the sky visible from the forecasting station with the sky being
divided into eighths. One eighth is called an Okta.
No cloud is given as sky clear
SKYCLR
1-2 oktas is classified as few clouds
FEW
3-4 oktas is classified as scattered clouds
SCT
5-7 oktas is classified as broken cloud
BKN
Total cloud cover at a particular level is overcast
OVC
The level of the layer above the aerodrome is given after the amount in hundreds of feet. For example
FEW015 indicates 1-2 oktas at 1500 feet above the aerodrome.
The actual cloud type is only included in a TAF if the cloud is Cumulo Nimbus (CB). For Example
SCT025CB means that there are scattered, 3-4 oktas, of cumulo nimbus clouds at 2500 feet above the
aerodrome level.
TEMPERATURE / DEW POINT
The air temperature will be given in degrees Centigrade separated from the Dew point temperature by a
forward slash. For example 15/09. Temperature 15 degrees Centigrade, Dew point 9 degrees centigrade.
The Dew point is the temperature at which the air will become saturated and cloud/fog/mist/dew will form.
By subtracting the value of the Dew point from the air temperature and dividing the result by three (the
DALR) the lowest potential level of cloud can be estimated. For example 15/09. 15 – 9 = 6. 6 / 3 = 2.
Possible cloud at 2000 feet.
The closer together the temperature and Dew point are the lower the cloud may be. Beware of reports such
as 11/10. This may lead to fog.
PRESSURE
The report gives the sea level pressure (QNH). For example Q1003 means a sea level pressure of 1003
millibars.
Changes
Occasionally changes affecting the reporting site with a short time of the report are noted. A common
change is visibility. For example TEMPO 3500 would indicate a temporary change to the visibility to 3500
metres.
OTHER DETAIL
METARs may contain other information of particular detail qualifying more general information. The list of
decodes below will be useful to new decoders.
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
AN EXAMPLE FOR YOU TO TRY:
METAR 3rd Feb 2004
BRIZE NORTON EGVN 030750Z 21015G27KT 9000 -RA BKN006 13/12 Q1015 TEMPO 7000
BRIZE NORTON
EGVN
030705Z
21015G27KT
9000
-RA
BKN006
13/12
Q1015
TEMPO
7000
DID YOU GET THIS?
METAR 3rd Feb 2004
BRIZE NORTON EGVN 030750Z 21015G27KT 9000 -RA BKN006 13/12 Q1015 TEMPO 7000
BRIZE NORTON
Aerodrome
EGVN
Aerodrome designator (ICAO code)
030705Z
Date and time of report. 3rd day of month at 0705 hours. Zulu/GMT
21015G27KT
Wind from 210 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 27 knots
9000
Visibility in metres. 9000 metres
-RA
Light (-) rain
BKN006
Cloud amount and level. Broken, 5-7 oktas, at 600 feet AAL
13/12
Air temperature 13 Centigrade. Dew point temperature 12 Centigrade
Q1015
Sea level pressure. QNH 1015 millibars
TEMPO
Temporarily
7000
Visibility in metres. 7000 metres
METARs are available from the MET OFFICE web site
http://www.metoffice.com/aviation/index.html
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
DECODING A TAF
TAF’s (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts) use a standard format for setting out a weather forecast

Aerodrome name

Aerodrome ICAO designator

Time of forecast

Period of forecast

Wind

Visibility

Cloud
The layout will look like this example:
[Aerodrome name] [Aerodrome ICAO designator] [Time of forecast] [Period of forecast] [Wind] [Visibility]
[Cloud]
There may be additional information in the form of:
Temporary changes
General changes
The information is abbreviated in coded form to shorten the forecast.
AERODROME NAME
For example uses Brize Norton in Oxfordshire
AERODROME ICAO DESIGNATOR
The ICAO, International Civil Aviation Organisation, four letter code for Brize Norton is EGVN. All UK
designators start with EG the third and fourth letters are unique to the aerodrome. BB is Birmingham, LL is
London Heathrow, GW is London Luton etc
TIME OF FORECAST
The date and time the forecast was produced. This is not included in some TAF presentations.
Given as DDHHMM. For example 050736Z was produced on the 5 th day of the month at 0736 hours Zulu
time, GMT/UTC, rather than for example British Summer Time
Period of forecast
The forecast covers a specified period of time. Usually 9, 18 or 24 hours.
Given as DDHHHH. For example 050918 is a forecast for the 5 th day of the month between 0900 hours and
1800 hours. This is a 9 hour TAF.
WIND
Given as surface wind direction and strength. For example 21010KT is wind from 210 degrees at 10 knots.
If the wind has significant gusts the gust strength is shown after a G. For example 21010G25KT indicates a
wind from 210 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 25 knots.
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
VISIBILITY
Surface visibility in metres. Visibility is always given as a four figure number the greatest being 9999
meaning visibility of 10 kilometres or more.
7000 indicates 7000 metres visibility.
Restricted visibility may be qualified as FG meaning Fog, HZ meaning Haze or BR meaning Mist (from the
French for word for mist Brume).
CLOUD
The forecast will give the expected lower level of cloud. The amount and level are quantified.
Cloud cover is estimated as a proportion of the sky visible from the forecasting station with the sky being
divided into eighths. One eighth is called an Okta.
No cloud is given as sky clear
SKYCLR
1-2 oktas is classified as few clouds
FEW
3-4 oktas is classified as scattered clouds
SCT
5-7 oktas is classified as broken cloud
BKN
Total cloud cover at a particular level is overcast
OVC
The level of the layer above the aerodrome is given after the amount in hundreds of feet. For example
FEW015 indicates 1-2 oktas at 1500 feet above the aerodrome.
The actual cloud type is only included in a TAF if the cloud is Cumulo Nimbus (CB). For Example
SCT025CB means that there are scattered, 3-4 oktas, of cumulo nimbus clouds at 2500 feet above the
aerodrome level.
TEMPORARY CHANGES
There may be changes during the forecast period of a temporary nature. These changes will last less than an
hour and be forecast between certain times with the overall forecast period.
The forecast will show for example TEMPO 1113 meaning that the change will take place between 1100
hrs and 1300 hours. The change may be to any of the forecast events.
PROBABILITY
Changes may be described as “probable” with a likelihood of 30% or 40%. PROB30 or PROB40. If no
probability is shown the change is definite.
GENERAL CHANGE
There may be a general change, rather than temporary, within the forecast period. The new forecast
conditions will be prefixed as becoming, BECMG, followed by a time period for the change to take place.
For example BECMG 1214 means “becoming between 1200 hours and 1400 hours” and will be followed by
the changed forecast.
OTHER DETAIL
TAFs may contain other information of particular detail qualifying more general information. The list of
decodes included in this guide will be useful to new decoders.
© Pegasus Flight Training (Oxford) 2004 Microlight School, Enstone Airfield, Church Enstone, Oxford. OX7 4NP
01608 678741 Office. 07860 864445 Pocket Leaflets@EnstoneMicrolights.co.uk
USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
AN EXAMPLE FOR YOU TO TRY:
TAF 1st Feb 2004
BRIZE NORTON EGVN 010729Z 010909 24018G30KT 9999 SCT025 PROB30 TEMPO 0911 -SHRA SCT022
BECMG 1316 20018G30KT TEMPO 1522 6000 RA BKN020 PROB40 TEMPO 1822 24025G40KT 4000 RADZ
BKN010 BECMG 2202 21010KT BECMG 0205 6000 RA OVC020 TEMPO 0407 3000 RADZ BKN004 BECMG
0709 25015G25KT 9999 NSW
BRIZE NORTON
EGVN
010729Z
010909
24018G30KT
9999
SCT025
PROB30
TEMPO 0911
-SHRA
SCT022
BECMG
1316
20018G30KT
TEMPO 1522
6000
RA
BKN020
PROB40
TEMPO 1822
24025G40KT
4000
RADZ
BKN010
BECMG
2202
21010KT
BECMG
0205
6000
RA
OVC020
TEMPO 0407
3000
RADZ
BKN004
BECMG
0709
25015G25KT
9999
NSW
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
DID YOU GET THIS?
TAF 1st Feb 2004
BRIZE NORTON EGVN 010729Z 010909 24018G30KT 9999 SCT025 PROB30 TEMPO 0911 -SHRA SCT022
BECMG 1316 20018G30KT TEMPO 1522 6000 RA BKN020 PROB40 TEMPO 1822 24025G40KT 4000 RADZ
BKN010 BECMG 2202 21010KT BECMG 0205 6000 RA OVC020 TEMPO 0407 3000 RADZ BKN004 BECMG
0709 25015G25KT 9999 NSW
BRIZE NORTON
EGVN
010729Z
010909
24018G30KT
9999
SCT025
Aerodrome
Aerodrome designator (ICAO code)
Date and time TAF produced. 1st day of month at 0729 hrs
Period of forecast. 1st day of month from 0900 to 0900 hrs (24 hours)
Wind from 240 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 30 knots
Visibility in metres (better than 10 kilometres)
Cloud amount and level. Scattered, 3-4 oktas, at 2500 feet AAL
PROB30
TEMPO 0911
-SHRA
SCT022
30% probability that
temporarily between 0900 hrs and 1100 hrs
light (-) showers of rain
Cloud amount and level. Scattered, 3-4 oktas, at 2200 feet AAL
BECMG
1316
20018G30KT
Becoming (change in general conditions)
Between 1300 hrs and 1600 hrs
Wind from 200 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 30 knots
TEMPO 1522
6000
RA
BKN020
Temporarily between 1500 hrs and 2200 hrs
Visibility in metres. 6000 metres
Rain
Cloud amount and level. Broken, 5-7 oktas, at 2000 feet AAL
PROB40
TEMPO 1822
24025G40KT
4000
RADZ
BKN010
40% probability that
temporarily between 1800 hrs and 2200 hrs
Wind from 240 degrees at 25 knots, gusting to 40 knots
Visibility in metres. 4000 metres
Rain and drizzle
Cloud amount and level. Broken, 5-7 oktas, at 1000 feet AAL
BECMG
2202
21010KT
Becoming (change in general conditions)
Between 2200 hrs and 0200 hrs
Wind from 210 degrees at 10 knots
BECMG
0205
6000
RA
OVC020
Becoming (change in general conditions)
Between 0200 hrs and 0500 hrs
Visibility in metres. 6000 metres
Rain
Cloud amount and level. Overcast, 8 oktas, at 2000 feet AAL
TEMPO 0407
3000
RADZ
BKN004
Temporarily between 0400 hrs and 0700 hrs
Visibility in metres. 3000 metres
Rain and drizzle
Cloud amount and level. Broken, 5-7 oktas at 400 feet AAL
BECMG
0709
25015G25KT
9999
NSW
Becoming (change in general conditions)
Between 0700 hrs and 0900 hrs
Wind from 250 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots
Visibility in metres (better than 10 kilometres)
No significant weather (no rain, snow etc)
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
MET OFFICE FORM 214
The Form 214 is a forecast of wind direction, wind strength and temperature at set levels above sea level.
The forecast is issued for a particular time within a six hour period. The validity period is printed at the top of the
form.
The form above was issued on the 3rd of the month at 0320 hours UTC (same as GMT / Zulu). Shown as 030320
UTC.
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01608 678741 Office. 07860 864445 Pocket Leaflets@EnstoneMicrolights.co.uk
USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
Each of the boxes on the Form 214 contains the forecast information.
POSITION
The position of this forecast point is given as Latitude and Longitude. This example is 50 degrees North and 02
degrees 30 minutes East. 50N 0230E
ALTITUDE
The figures on the left indicate thousands of feet above sea level from 1,000 to 24,000.
WIND DIRECTION
The wind direction is given as degrees to true North at the forecast levels. This example gives a wind of 230 at 1,000
feet and 240 at 2,000 feet. It will be the 2,000 foot wind that will be used for calculating drift and ground speed for
cross country flights at this level.
WIND SPEED
The wind speed is given in knots. At 1,000 feet the wind is 30 knots and at 2,000 feet 40 knots.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature is forecast as degrees Centigrade. (+ indicates plus and – indicates minus temperatures). The
difference in temperature with height will dictate whether the conditions are stable or unstable and so give an
indication of likely weather conditions.
Form 214 is available from the MET OFFICE web site
http://www.metoffice.com/aviation/index.html
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01608 678741 Office. 07860 864445 Pocket Leaflets@EnstoneMicrolights.co.uk
USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
MET OFFICE FORM 215
The Form 215 is a weather forecast produced by the Met Office and available from their web site.
The page shows an outline of the UK with weather fronts and forecast weather zones outlined by a black irregular
line, a forecast pressure chart and text boxes describing the predicted weather within the marked zones.
ISSUED AT
Time 0837 hrs UTC (same as Zulu / GMT)
Date 08FEB2004. 8th February 2004-02-08
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
VALID BETWEEN
08 1200 UTC 1200 hrs on the 8th day of the month.
08 1800 UTC 1800 hrs on the 8th day of the month.
FORECAST FOR
UK outline with zones marked by irregular black lines. Zones are labelled with numbers in circles. 1-3.
Black arrows with numbers show speed of movement, in knots, of fronts and zone boundaries.
Numbers in boxes are the freezing levels, 0 Centigrade in thousands of feet above sea level. E.g. 0C 2
indicates the freezing level is at 2,000 feet.
The forecast time is for 08 1500UTC 1500 hrs on the 8th day of the month.
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
OUTLOOK AT
Outlook at 09 0000UTC Midnight on 9th day of the month
Illustration shows the UK outline with isobars showing surface pressure. This example indicates a high
pressure area to the west of the UK with a centre pressure of 1034 millibars reducing to 1016 through the
North Sea. With wind rotating in a clockwise direction around a high pressure in the northern hemisphere
the general wind direction through the east of the UK will be northerly.
ZONE FORECAST DETAIL
Position
Zone 1 General
Visibility
40 kilometres
Weather
NIL
Cloud and comment
2-5/8 CUSC 2 to 5 eighths cumulus / stratocumulus.
4000/6000 Base of cloud 4000 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 6000 feet above sea level.
Isolated, Sea
and windward
coasts
15 kilometres
Rain
showers.
Hail
6/8 CUSC 6 eighths cumulus / strato-cumulus.
2500/7000 Base of cloud 2500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 7000 feet above sea level.
Cloud on hills. Moderate ice and moderate
turbulence in cloud.
Occasional moderate turbulence below 6000
feet in the east.
MTW Mountain waves between latitude 02
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
degrees west and latitude 07 degrees west.
MAX VSP Maximum vertical speed 700 feet
per minute at 7000 feet
Position
Zone 2 General
Occasionally
Isolated. Mainly
sea and
windward
coasts
Visibility
30 Kilometres
7 kilometres
4000 metres (4
kilometres)
Weather
NIL
Rain
showers.
Hail
Heavy rain
and snow
showers.
Hail
Cloud and comment
2-5/8 CUSC 2 to 5 eighths cumulus / stratocumulus.
2500/6000 Base of cloud 2500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 6000 feet above sea level.
7/8 CUSC 7 eighths cumulus
1500/8000 Base of cloud 1500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 8000 feet above sea level.
1-5/8 ST 1 to 5 eighths stratus cloud
800/1400, Base of cloud 800 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 1400 feet above sea level.
7/8 CUCB 7 eighths cumulus and
cumulonimbus cloud
Isolated in the
north of the
region
2000 metres (2
kilometres)
Snow
showers
1500/12000 Base of cloud 1500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 12000 feet above sea level.
1-5/8 ST 1 to 5 eighths stratus cloud
500/1400, Base of cloud 500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 1400 feet above sea level.
7/8 CUCB 7 eighths cumulus and
cumulonimbus cloud
1500/12000 Base of cloud 1500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 12000 feet above sea level.
Cloud on hills. Moderate ice and moderate
turbulence in cloud.
MOD TURB Moderate turbulence east of
latitude 06 west below 6000 feet. OCNL SEV
Occasionally severe east of latitude 03 west
Snow on hills above 700 feet.
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
Position
Zone 3 general
Frequently at
sea and coasts,
occasionally
over land in the
south
Visibility
25 kilometres
3000 metres (3
kilometres)
Weather
NIL
Rain and
snow
showers.
Hail
Cloud and comment
2-5/8 CUSC 2 to 5 eighths cumulus / stratocumulus.
2500/7000 Base of cloud 2500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 7000 feet above sea level.
1-5/8 ST 1 to 5 eighths stratus cloud
800/1400, Base of cloud 800 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 1400 feet above sea level.
7/8 CUAC 7 eighths cumulus and alto cumulus
cloud
Isolated at sea
and coasts
Isolated near the
occlusion (front
in North Sea)
2000 metres (2
kilometres)
2000 metres (2
kilometres)
TS/HVY
thunder
storms /
heavy
RASN
SH/HAIL
Rain snow
showers
with hail
TS/HVY
thunder
storms /
heavy
RASN
SH/HAIL
Rain snow
showers
with hail
1500/14000 Base of cloud 1500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 14000 feet above sea level.
2-5/8 ST 2 to 5 eighths stratus cloud
500/1000, Base of cloud 500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 1000 feet above sea level.
7/8 CUCB 7 eighths cumulus and
cumulonimbus cloud
1500/20000 Base of cloud 1500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 20000 feet above sea level.
2-5/8 ST 2 to 5 eighths stratus cloud
500/1000, Base of cloud 500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 1000 feet above sea level.
5-8/8LYR 5 to 8 eighths layer of cloud
4000/14000 Base of cloud 4000 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 14000 feet above sea level.
EMBD CB embedded cumulonimbus cloud
Isolated
500 metres (1/2
kilometres)
Snow
showers
1500/20000 Base of CB 1500 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 20000 feet above sea level.
1-5/8 ST 1 to 5 eighths stratus cloud
300/1000, Base of cloud 300 feet above sea
level, top of cloud 1000 feet above sea level.
7/8 CUCB 7 eighths cumulus and
cumulonimbus cloud
1500/15000 Base of cloud 1500 feet above sea
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
level, top of cloud 15000 feet above sea level.
Cloud on hills. Moderate icing and moderate
turbulence in cloud.
Severe, occasionally moderate, turbulence
below 6000 feet above mean sea level
Outlook until
midnight on the
9th of the month:
Similar
Form 215 is available from the MET OFFICE web site
http://www.metoffice.com/aviation/index.html
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USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN FORECASTING AND REPORTING
Code
A
ABV
AC
ACT
AS
ASR
B
BC ....
BEC
BECMG
BKN
BL ....
BLO
BLW
BR
BTL
BTN
C
CAST
CAT
CB
CC
CI
CIT
CLD
CONS
COT
CS
CU
rain
CUF
D
DIF
DP
DR ....
DS
DTRT
DU
DUC
DZ
E
EMBD
EXP
EXTD
F
FBL
Meaning
light
QNH
R
RA
RAFC
RAG
RE ....
RMK
RVR
RWY
S
SA
SC
SCT
SEV
SFC
SG
FC
funnel cloud
SH ....
FCST
FEW
FG
FLUC
FM
FOQNH
forecast
few (1-2 oktas)
fog
fluctuating
from
forecast QNH for ASR
SIGWX
SKC
SLW
SN
SQ
SS
above
altocumulus
active
altostratus
altimeter setting region
patches (followed by FG)
becoming
becoming
broken (5-7 oktas)
blowing(followed by DU, SA or SN)
below clouds
below
mist
between layers
between
castellanus
clear air turbulence
cumulonimbus
cirrocumulus
cirrus
near or over large towns
cloud
continuous
at or near coast
cirrostratus
cumulus
cumiliform
diffuse
dew point
low drifting
dust-storm
deteriorating
dust in suspension
dense upper cloud
drizzle
embedded
expected
extending
Code
MAX
MI ....
MNM
MOD
MON
MOV
MPS
MT
MTW
N
NC
NOSIG
NS
NSC
NSW
O
OBS
OBSC
OCNL
OTLK
OVC
P
PE or PL
PO
PR ....
PROB
Q
QFE
QNE
Meaning
maximum
shallow (followed by FG)
minimum
moderate
over mountains
moving
metres per second
mountains
mountain waves
not changing
no significant change expected
nimbostratus
no significant cloud
no significant weather
observed
obscured
occasionally
outlook
overcast (8 oktas)
ice pellets
dust devils
banks (followed by FG)
probability
aerodrome level pressure
aerodrome height expressed
in pressure altitude
sea level pressure
Regional Area Forecast Centre
ragged
recent (followed by phenomenon)
remarks
runway visual range
runway
sand in suspension
stratocumulus
scattered (3-4 oktas)
severe
surface
snow grains
shower(followed by GR, GS, RA,
SN)
significant weather
sky clear
slow
snow flakes
squall
sand-storm
© Pegasus Flight Training (Oxford) 2004 Microlight School, Enstone Airfield, Church Enstone, Oxford. OX7 4NP
01608 678741 Office. 07860 864445 Pocket Leaflets@EnstoneMicrolights.co.uk
USING WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS
FPM
FRQ
FU
FZ ....
G
GEN
GND
GR
GS
feet per minute
frequent
smoke
supercooled (freezing) (followed by
DZ, FG or RA)
generally
ground
large hail (at least 5 mm diameter)
small hail or snow pellets
H
ST
STF
STNR
stratus
stratiform
stationary
T
TC
TCU
TEMPO
TL
TROP
TS ....
HPA
HVY
HZ
I
hectopascal ( = millibar)
heavy
haze
TURB
V
VA
VAL
IC
ice crystals (diamond dust)
VC ....
ICE
IMPR
INC
INTSF
INTST
ISOL
L
LAN
LOC
LSQ
LYR
M
MAR
icing
improving
in cloud
intensifying
intensity
isolated
over land (or inland)
locally
line squall
layer
VIS
VRB
VSP
W
WAFC
WDSPR
WKN
WRNG
WS
WSPD
WTSPT
over sea
XYZ
tropical cyclone
towering cumulus
temporarily
until
tropopause
thunderstorm (also may be followed
by GR, GS, RA, SN)
turbulence
volcanic ash
in valleys
in vicinity n vicinity (followed by
phenomenon)
visibility
variable
vertical speed
World Area Forecast Centre
widespread
weakening
warning
wind shear
wind speed
waterspout
none
© Pegasus Flight Training (Oxford) 2004 Microlight School, Enstone Airfield, Church Enstone, Oxford. OX7 4NP
01608 678741 Office. 07860 864445 Pocket Leaflets@EnstoneMicrolights.co.uk