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METAR & SPECI REPORTS DETAILED INFORMATION
Below are five real-world style METAR examples, each followed by a detailed study guide that breaks down every element and explains what it means for a Remote Pilot. Learn each code and practice decipher all five METAR reports.
Notice: Reports 4 & 5 are listed as SPECI reports. 👉 SPECI (Special Weather Report) is essentially the same as a METAR, but it is issued between regular hourly METARs whenever significant changes in weather occur at an airport. These changes are important enough that pilots need to know immediately rather than wait for the next scheduled METAR.
METAR Reading Tips for Remote Pilots
- Start Left to Right -Decode in order: station → time → wind → visibility → weather → sky → temp/dew → altimeter → remarks.
- Cloud Layers Order — FEW < SCT < BKN < OVC (increasing coverage).
- Visibility & Ceiling Drive Flight Decisions — Keep VLOS and maintain cloud clearance.
- Watch for + (Heavy) and – (Light) — +RA = heavy rain, -SN = light snow.
EXAMPLE: ⭐️ METAR KJFK 141951Z 18012KT 10SM FEW050 SCT250 28/20 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP175 T02830200
- KJFK – Station identifier (John F. Kennedy Intl, New York)
- 141951Z – Observation on the 14th at 19:51 Zulu (UTC)
- 18012KT – Winds from 180° at 12 knots
- 10SM – Visibility 10 statute mile
- FEW050 SCT250 – Few clouds at 5,000 ft; scattered clouds at 25,000 ft
- 28/20 – Temperature 28°C, dew point 20°C
- A3005 – Altimeter 30.05 inHg
- RMK AO2 – Automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP175 / T02830200 – Sea-level pressure and exact temp/dew (for aviation use)
⭐️ METAR KINK 121845Z 11012G18KT 15SM SKC 25/17 A3000
- METAR – Indicates the type of report or observation being taken
- KINK– Station identifier (Winkler County Airport, Texas)
- 121845Z – Observation on the 12th at 18:45 Zulu (UTC)
- 11012G18KT – Winds from 110° at 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots
- 15SM – Visibility 15 statute miles
- SKC – Sky Clear (no significant clouds below 12,000 ft)
- 25/17 – Temperature 25°C, dew point 17°C
- A3000 – Altimeter 30.00 inHg (pressure setting)
⭐️ METAR KBOI 121845Z 13004KT 30SM SKT150 17/6 A3015
- METAR – Indicates the type of report or observation being taken
- KBOI – Station identifier (Boise Air Terminal, Idaho)
- 121845Z – Observation on the 12th at 18:45 Zulu (UTC)
- 13004KT – Winds from 130° at 4 knots
- 30SM – Visibility 30 statute miles (excellent visibility)
- SCT150 – Scattered clouds at 15,000 ft above ground level
- 17/06 – Temperature 17°C, dew point 6°C
- A3015 – Altimeter 30.15 inHg (pressure setting)
DECODING METAR & TAF REPORTS
⭐️ METAR KLAX 121852Z 25004KT 6SM BR SCT007 SCT250 16/15 A2991
- METAR – Indicates the type of report or observation being taken
- KLAX – Station identifier (Los Angeles International Airport, California)
- 121852Z – Observation on the 12th at 18:52 Zulu (UTC)
- 25004KT – Winds from 250° at 4 knots
- 6SM – Visibility 6 statute miles
- BR – Mist (reduces visibility slightly, often due to humidity near the coast)
- SCT007 – Scattered clouds at 700 ft above ground level
- SCT250 – Scattered clouds at 25,000 ft above ground level
- 16/15 – Temperature 16°C, dew point 15°C (high humidity, near saturation)
- A2991 – Altimeter 29.91 inHg (pressure setting)
terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAF)
⭐️ DECODING REFERENCE INFORMATION
✅ How many times per day is a standard TAF issued?
- A) Once per hour
- B) Four times per day
- C) Twice per day
- Answer: B) Four times per day! 🧐
TAFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts) are forecast reports, not observations.
They are issued at standard times: 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and 18Z, which equals four times daily.
METARs, by contrast, are issued hourly and reflect current conditions.
Choice C (twice per day) is incorrect, and A (hourly) applies to METARs, not TAFs.
- KMEM – Memphis International Airport, Tennessee
- 121720Z – TAF issued on the 12th at 17:20 Zulu (UTC)
- 1218/1324 – Forecast period from the 12th at 18:00 Zulu to the 13th at 24:00 Zulu
- 20012KT – Wind from 200° at 12 knots
- 5SM – Visibility 5 statute miles
- HZ – Haze
- BKN030 – Broken clouds at 3,000 ft
- PROB40 – 40% probability
- 1220/1222 – From 12th day 20:00 Z to 12th day 22:00 Z
- 1SM – Visibility 1 statute mile
- TSRA – Thunderstorms with rain
- OVC008CB – Overcast clouds at 800 ft with cumulonimbus (thunderstorm clouds)
- FM122200 – From 12th day at 22:00 Z
- 33015G20KT – Wind from 330° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- P6SM – Visibility greater than 6 miles
- BKN015 – Broken clouds at 1,500 ft
- OVC025 – Overcast clouds at 2,500 ft
- PROB40 – 40% probability
- 1220/1222 – 12th day 20:00 to 22:00 Z
- 3SM – Visibility 3 statute miles
- SHRA – Showers of rain
- FM120200 – From 12th day 02:00 Z (earlier line; likely a formatting adjustment)
- 35012KT – Wind from 350° at 12 knots
- OVC008 – Overcast clouds at 800 ft
- PROB40 – 40% probability
- 1202/1205 – 12th day 02:00 to 05:00 Z
- 2SM-RASN – Visibility 2 miles with rain and snow mix
- BECMG 1306/1308 – Becoming 13th day 06:00–08:00 Z
- 02008KT – Wind from 020° at 8 knots
- BECMG 1310/1312 – Becoming 13th day 10:00–12:00 Z
- 00000KT – Calm winds
- 3SM BR – Visibility 3 miles in mist
- SKC – Sky clear
- TEMPO 1212/1214 – Temporarily 12th day 12:00–14:00 Z
- 1/2SM FG – Visibility ½ mile in fog
- FM131600 – From 13th day 16:00 Z
- VRB06KT – Variable wind at 6 knots
- P6SM – Visibility greater than 6 miles
- SKC – Sky clear
- = – End of TAF
✅ Exam Question:
TAF Report-Figure 15) What is the visibility between 1000Z and 1200Z in the TAF for KMEM?🧐
A. 1/2 SM B. 6 SM C. 3 SM
✅ Correct Answer: C
BECMG means “becoming.”
This indicates a gradual change in weather conditions occurring during the time window provided.
BECMG 1310/1312
This means:
BECMG 1310/1312 is a TAF transition group that tells pilots a gradual change in weather conditions will occur during a specific time window.
Breakdown of the Code
BECMG = Becoming
This indicates a gradual change from the previous conditions to new conditions.
1310/1312 = Time window when the transition occurs.
- 13 → the 13th day of the month 👈
- 10 → 1000Z (10:00 UTC
- 12 → 1200Z (12:00 UTC
So the new forecast conditions are expected to transition during this two-hour window.