What do the METAR and Taf codes mean?
METAR codes report observed weather conditions by airfield; TAF codes report forecasted weather conditions by airfield. Both codes are lines of text made up of data groups (or just “groups”) separated by spaces. Some data groups are not discussed because they are intended for use by the weather community and are not useful for flight planning.
What does METAR stand for in Weather Report?
METAR (Aviation Routine Weather Report) refers to a scheduled observation taken between 55-59 minutes past the hour (also referred to as a routine hourly observation). SPECI (Special Report) refers to an unscheduled observation that met a predefined criteria (such as a change from VFR to
How is a METAR similar to a SPECI message?
A METAR is a codified observation message indicating an airfield weather conditions observed at a given time. Such a message is established every hour. A SPECI message is identical to a METAR but is established punctually instead of regularly.
Can a Foreflight decode all of the METAR?
Even programs like Foreflight don’t decode all of the METAR. They typically leave off the remarks (RMK) section leaving pilots to wonder what the rest of the METAR means. This article will take a deep dive into how to read every aspect of the METAR. By the end, even the most experienced pilots will learn something new.
What does a METAR report message look like?
METAR messages A METAR is a report describing the current weather conditions at a location. The report consists of several space-separated groups of alphanumerical characters, describing various aspects of the present weather: wind, visibility, temperature etc. Here is what a METAR looks like:
How often is a TAF weather report issued?
A TAF is a terminal forcast. It is issued every few hours, and is updated if necessary sooner. Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) Example: METAR
What does the number 9999 mean on METAR?
· Forecast Visibility (as item 5) (9999 indicates 10Kilometers vis or greater) An eight digit telegraphic code on runway conditions for some European airports may be included at the end of hourly METAR messages: The first two digits correspond to the runway designator.
What is the TAF code for FedEx weather?
Station identifier. The TAF code uses ICAO 4-letter station identifiers. FedEx forecasts use 3-letter identifiers Issuance time. 2-digit Date and and 4-digit zulu Time. Valid date and time. ‘091818’ means a 24 hour forecast valid from 1800Z on the 9th until 1800Z the following day.
What does Taf stand for in military category?
TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) is a weather forecast at an airport or military base for a specific period (usually 24 hours).