Quick Answer: How To Read Aviation Weather?

How do I decode a metar report?

Decoding a METAR

1. PHNL = the airfield, Honolulu’s Daniel K.
2. 250953Z = the date and time of the report.
3. 05007G17KT = the wind conditions.
4. 10SM = visibility.
5. FEW024 / FEW040 = cloud cover.
6. 27/19 = the temperature and dewpoint.
7. A3001 = the atmospheric pressure, a.k.a. altimeter setting.

How do I read a Metar map?

Static METAR Plots

1. Temp – Temperature plotted in the upper left in Fahrenheit.
2. Windbarb – The wind barb.
3. Alt – Last three digits of the altimeter setting plotted upper right in inches Hg.
4. Id – The last 3 letters of the ICAO identifier for the site.
5. Dew – The dewpoint temperature plotted in the lower left in F.

What are Metars and TAFS?

METAR stands for Meteorological Aerodrome Report. TAF stands for Terminal Aerodrome Forecast. It is a report released by large airports that summarizes the weather forecast for the area covered by five statute miles from the location of the airport.

What does 9999 mean in a TAF?

9999. This value represents a visibility greater than 9000. meters (7 SM or more). The contraction CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK) may be used when there is no significant weather, the visibility is 10 km or greater, and the ceilings are greater than 5,000 ft.

What is the symbol for wind speed?

Wind direction (dd) and speed (ff) are plotted at the center of the station model plot. A wind barb (dd) extends from the direc- tion the wind is blowing to the circle. In the example below the wind is from the northwest and speed “ff” is represented by flags on the wind barb.

How do you read wind symbols?

The staff part of a wind barb shows wind direction. The dot end of the staff is where the wind is blowing to, while the top of the staff shows the direction from which the wind is coming. The top row of wind barbs in the figure to the right all indicate a north wind.

How do you read a TAF file?

The date and time are formatted using two sets of four digits each with the first two digits representing the day of the month and the second two the 24-hour time in hours only (no minutes since TAFS are issued on the hour). The first set of digits is the start date/time and the second is the end date/time.

Where is the altimeter setting on a Metar?

Parameter Output. Here is a list of the parameters that can be displayed: station model – This is a standard station model with temperature in the upper left, dewpoint in the lower left, coded altimeter setting in upper right, visibility far left, weather near left, cloud cover colored by flight category and wind barb.

What does Cavok mean?

The Visibility, Cloud, and Weather groups are replaced by the term CAVOK (cloud and visibility OK) when the following conditions exist simultaneously: Visibility is 10km or more. No CB or TCU and no cloud below 5000 feet or Minimum Sector Altitude (MSA) (whichever is the greater).

What area does a Metar cover?

An automated METAR with no human supervision covers the conditions within approximately 6 inches of the weather station reporting it (for example, a badly positioned AWOS/ASOS station may be shielded from wind in some directions which affects what it reports).

How long is an Airmet valid for?

AIRMETs are valid for six hours. NOTE: The definition has changed and no longer says “light aircraft”; AIRMETs are intended for all aircraft. AIRMET TANGO (Turbulence) moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or greater, and/or non convective low−level wind shear.

How long is a Metar valid?

Validity: Issued every hour, usually 55~59 past the hour. Data may be up to 15 minutes old, should not be older. Valid for 1 hour or until the next released report.

How are METARs generated?

Origin. METARs typically come from airports or permanent weather observation stations. Reports are generated once an hour or half-hour at most stations, but if conditions change significantly at a staffed location, a report known as a special (SPECI) may be issued. (Such as KPLU which reports 3 per hour.)