Metar/Taf Your "New" Aviation Weather Format

METAR/TAF YOUR
“NEW” AVIATION
WEATHER FORMAT
Downloaded from www.avhf.com

NEW METAR/TAF CODES
BECOME EFFECTIVE
Beginning
Oct 1996
MILITARY BASES CURRENTLY
USING SIMILAR FORMAT

What is
METAR/TAF?
METAR
AVIATION ROUTINE WEATHER
REPORTS
TAF
AERODROME FORECASTS

METAR/TAF
SIGNIFICANT CODE CHANGES

FOR METAR
ELEMENTS PRESENTED IN A
DIFFERENT ORDER

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!

The body of
METAR
WIND /
VISIBILITY /
WEATHER / SKY
CONDITION
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

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.
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

METAR/TAF
Current SAO
PIT SA 1955 M10 OVC 3/4TRW

132/59/52/2215G25/992/
R28RRVR2600

METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z

22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992

METAR/TAF
OK, LET’S
TEST FLY
METAR !

METAR/TAF
METAR KPIT 201955Z

22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: Routine Hourly Observation

METAR/TAF
SPECI KPIT 201955Z

22015G25KT 3/4SM
R28R/2600FT TSRA
OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
Explanation: Special or Record Special
Report

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”

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

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

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
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.)
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

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

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 ]
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

METAR/TAF
Cloud height is reported in

hundreds of feet.
When clouds are towering
cumulus or cumulonimbus,
TCU or CB will follow cloud
heights.

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

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

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”

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.

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)..
METAR/TAF
OKAY, LETS
TRY A SHORT
QUIZ ON
METAR !

METAR/TAF
METAR KATL 101050Z 00000KT

15SM SKC 26/18 A3021
Easy, Right ?

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
METAR
ASOS/AWOS
METAR KOWA 251955Z AUTO

31008 10SM FEW015 SCT025
05/M05 A2992 RMK AO2
SLP013 T00471054

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

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...

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
METAR/TAF
TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA
BKN020
THE
FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015
SECRET:
PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040
Break it down
TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
by time
frames! Downloaded from www.avhf.com

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..
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...
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
METAR/TAF
TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT
3SM -SHRA BKN020
OVC008CB..
OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -
RA FG..
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..

METAR/TAF
091818 22020KT 3SM

TAF KPIT 091720Z
-SHRA BKN020
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..

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

METAR/TAF
BKN020
OVC008CB..
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..

METAR/TAF

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.

METAR/TAF
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.
METAR/TAF
BKN020
OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -
RA FG..
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..

METAR/TAF

OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -
RA FG..
Remember Time
Frames? There are two
Within This Example.
METAR/TAF

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.

METAR/TAF
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.

METAR/TAF

BKN020
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..

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)

METAR/TAF
BKN020
FM10 00 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..

METAR/TAF
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.

METAR/TAF
BECMG
CLR ?

METAR/TAF
QUESTIONS ?

METAR/TAF
Thank You!

Metar/Taf Your "New" Aviation Weather Format

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METAR/TAF YOUR

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

SIGNIFICANT CODE CHANGES

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Where, When, and Wind

KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT

This works for METAR as well as TAF!

PIT SA 1955 E10 OVC 3 /4TRW

1996 U.S. METAR

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Weather Phenomena -SHSN +SHRA

V V - Replaces Indefinite Ceiling

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

PIT SA 1955 M10 OVC 3/4TRW

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

METAR KPIT 201955Z

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

METAR KPIT 201955Z

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

SPECI KPIT 201955Z

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

METAR KPIT 201955Z

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

METAR KPIT 201955Z

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

More visibility codes you may see:

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Significant Weather Codes:

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Cloud height is reported in

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Clouds are categorized based

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

METAR KPIT 201955Z

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

METAR KATL 101050Z 00000KT

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

DTW SA 1050 5 SCT 10 SCT E18

METAR KOWA 251955Z AUTO

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

PIT 091818 C20 BKN 3RW.

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

frames! Downloaded from www.avhf.com

FM2000 - FroM and 4-digit group, hour

BECMG 1315 - BECoMinG, changes

TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818

Explanation: Pittsburgh, PA,

Downloaded from www.avhf.com

091818 22020KT 3SM