METAR/TAF YOUR “NEW” AVIATION WEATHER FORMAT

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METAR/TAF YOUR “NEW” AVIATION

WEATHER FORMAT


NEW METAR/TAF CODES BECOME EFFECTIVE

Beginning Oct 1996

MILITARY BASES CURRENTLY USING SIMILAR FORMAT


What is

METAR/TAF?


METARAVIATION ROUTINE WEATHER

REPORTSTAF

AERODROME FORECASTS


METAR/TAF

SIGNIFICANT CODE CHANGES FOR METAR

ELEMENTS PRESENTED IN A DIFFERENT ORDER


To help remember the sequence, thinkof 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


METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA

OVC010CB 18/16 A2992

PIT SA 1955 E10 OVC 3 /4TRW 64/60/2215G25/992/

R28RVR2600

Current U.S. SA

1996 U.S. METAR


METAR/TAFVisibility - Annotated by Statute Miles

Weather Phenomena -SHSN +SHRAPresent 2 Letter Weather Code DroppedCloud Types Identified only if CB or TCU

V V - Replaces Indefinite CeilingV V001 Same as Old W1X0FV V/// Means Indefinite Ceiling, Height not

Known.


METAR/TAFALL 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

PIT SA 1955 M10 OVC 3/4TRW

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

Current SAO


METAR/TAF


OVC010CB 18/16 A2992


METAR/TAFOK, LET’S TEST FLY

METAR !


METAR/TAF


OVC010CB 18/16 A2992Explanation: Routine Hourly

Observation


METAR/TAF

SPECI KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA

OVC010CB 18/16 A2992Explanation: Special or Record Special

Report


METAR/TAR


OVC010CB 18/16 A2992Explanation: Reporting Point Using Four

Letters - Domestic U.S. Begins With “K”


METAR/TAFMETAR KPIT 201955Z

22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA

OVC010CB 18/16 A2992Explanation: Observation taken on

20thday of month, at 1955 UTC (Zulu)Time always in 4 digits



22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA

OVC010CB 18/16 A2992Explanation: Surface winds from 220

degrees at 15 Knots Gusting to 25 Knots


METAR/TAFCalm winds indicated by: 00000KT

22015KT 180V260 - When wind direction varies 60 degrees or more

and wind is greater than 6 KnotsVRB - 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


OVC010CB 18/16 A2992Explanation: 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.)



22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA

OVC010CB 18/16 A2992Explanation: 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



22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB

18/16 A2992Explanation: 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 CLEARFEW - 1-2 OCTASSCT - 3-4 OCTASBKN - 5-7 OCTASOVC - 8 OCTAS


METAR/TAF


OVC010CB 18/16 A2992Explanation: Overcast Cloud Deck at 1000 Feet with Cumulonimbus Clouds



22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA

OVC010CB 18/16 A2992Explanation: Temperature is 18 Celsius,

Dew Point is 16 Below Zero Reported With Minus as “M06”



22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA

OVC010CB 18/16 A2992Explanation: 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 ForecastTAF AMD - Amended ForecastNSW - No Significant WeatherSKC - Clear SkiesVC - 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 ?


METAR EGLL 151050Z 31015G27KT 280V350

1400SW 6000N R24LP1500 +SHRA SCT005 SCT010CB

BKN018 OVC025 10/03 Q0995

DTW SA 1050 5 SCT 10 SCT E18 BKN 25 OVC 7/8SW 10/03/3115G27/937

Current U.S. SA

1996 INTERNATIONAL

METAR


METAR ASOS/AWOS

METAR KOWA 251955Z AUTO 31008 10SM FEW015

SCT025 05/M05 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP013 T00471054



METAR/TAFTAF’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


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...

Current U.S. FT


METAR/TAFTAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT

3SM -SHRA BKN020FM2000 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/TAFTAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -

SHRA BKN020FM2000 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

THE SECRET:Break it down

by time frames!


METAR/TAFHOW 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/TAFHOW 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/TAFTAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT

3SM -SHRA BKN020FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA



FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..



METAR/TAF

TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020

FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..


FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC


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



SHRA BKN020FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA





METAR/TAF

FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM

TSRA 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/TAFFM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA


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.




PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020

OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..



METAR/TAF

FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -

RA FG..

Remember Time Frames? There are two Within This Example.


METAR/TAF


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


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

TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020

FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..


FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020.. BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC


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 TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -


PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040

TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..FM10 00 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020.. BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC


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!

Documents

METAR/TAF YOUR “NEW” AVIATION WEATHER FORMAT