METAR Codes

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A METAR message is valid AT the time of observation (not for any specific time period). It is an
actual observation at a specific time, normally made at hourly or half hourly intervals. If weather
changes by a significant degree a special observation "SPECI", will be issued.

A ceiling is defined as, height above ground or water of the lowest layer of cloud below 20000 ft
covering more than half of the sky.

In a METAR message, the wind group is 23010 MPS means wind from 230 deg true at 20 knots.
Multiply MPS (metres per second) by 2 to get the answer in Knots. Knots are double the MPS
value. Met reports have wind direction in degrees "true". ATC provides (like in ATIS) wind direction
in degrees magnetic.

In the METAR code the abbreviation VC indicates "Vicinity" i.e. present weather within a range of 8
km, but not at the airport.

The visibility transmitted in a METAR is the lowest observed in a 360 deg scan from the
meteorological station.

DLLO 121550Z 31018G30KT 9999 FEW060TCU BKN070 14/08 Q1016 TEMPO 4000 TS=

Above METAR cannot be abbreviated to CAVOK because the cloud base is below the highest
minimum sector altitude. CAVOK only refers to ceiling and visibility.

The FEW060TCU gives cloud below the MSA and TCU, both of these preclude CAVOK.

The ICAO definition of CAVOK changed and now mentions TCU which it didn't before. In other
words, before the change you could have TCU present and it could still be CAVOK but now TCU
would preclude it being CAVOK. (http://www.atpforum.eu/showthread.php?t=10747)

The definition of CAVOK will change, such that Towering Cumulus Clouds (TCU) is now regarded as
significant clouds. If there is Towering Cumulus Clouds (TCU) present, CAVOK will no longer be
permitted to be reported. This change will be applied on 5 Nov 2008.
(http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/1382/UK%20Met%20Consultation.pdf)

When gusts are at least 10 knots above the mean wind speed then the surface wind in a METAR
records a gust factor?

VV is vertical visibility in hundreds of feet and not in meters.

Trend forecast is a landing forecast appended to METAR/SPECI, valid for 2 hours.

If CAVOK is reported then there cannot be low drifting snow.

The cloud base, reported in the METAR, is the height above airfield level (i.e. AAl not AGL).

LSZH VRB02KT 5000 MIFG 02/02 Q1015 NOSIG

The report is possible, because shallow fog (MIFG) is defined as a thin layer of fog below eye level.
Shallow fog is low-lying fog that does not obstruct horizontal visibility at a level 2 m (6 ft) or more
above the surface of the earth (i.e. the fog layer is not deeper than 2 meters). This is, almost
invariably, a form of radiation fog.

In METAR messages, the pressure group represents the QNH rounded "Down" (not Up) to the
nearest hPa.

Runway report 01650428 appended to a METAR means you should consider the friction co-efficient
which is 0.28 when making performance calculations. see the decode here
(http://www.atpforum.eu/showthread.php?t=941)

Cloud base is reported in steps of 100 ft up to 10,000 ft and in steps of 1,000 ft above 10,000 ft in
a METAR

If a large number of reports are sent as a block bulletin (in bulk) they are prefixed by the code SA
(Station Actual) for METARS and SP for SPECIs. If TAF is issued in a bulletin then report type is
coded as FC (9-12 hrs) or FT (12-24 hrs).

NOSIG means No Significant Change

SIGMET:
Information issued by a meteorological watch office concerning the occurrence or expected
occurrence of specified enroute weather phenomena which may affect the safety of aircraft
operations.

AIRMET:
Information issued by a meteorological watch office concerning the occurrence or expected
occurrence of specified enroute weather phenomena which may affect the safety of low-level
aircraft operations and which was not already included in the forecast issued for low-level flights in
the flight information region concerned or sub-area thereof.

VOLMET:
Routine broadcast containing, as appropriate, current aerodrome weather reports, aerodrome
forecasts and SIGMET messages for aircraft in flight.

SIGMET warnings are routinely issued by each FIR and relate to cruising levels generally above
FL100 Along with AIRMETs.

AIRMET warnings are specifically for traffic in the lower levels, normally up to FL100 but up to
FL150 or higher in mountainous regions.
Exam Question Tips:

SIGMET will be issued for severe mountain waves.

SIGMET information is issued as a warning for significant weather to "all aircraft" and not just for
light or heavy ones.

Within a short interval, if several flight crews report that they have experienced strong clear air
turbulence in a certain airspace then as a consequence of these reports the competent aviation
weather office will issue a SIGMET.

Heavy dust storm phenomena will be mentioned in a SIGMET.