Where do you find METARs?

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. There are stations that make regular reports more often.

What is METAR and TAF?

METAR is the international standard code format for hourly surface weather observations which is analogous to the SA coding currently used in the US. The acronym roughly translates from French as Aviation Routine Weather Report. TAF is the international standard code format for terminal forecasts issued for airports.

What does P mean in a Metar?

P. indicates greater than the highest reportable value. PCPN. precipitation.

What are AIRMETs and SIGMETs?

AIRMETs focus on weather that may adversely affect aircraft safety in still-flyable weather. SIGMETs, which come in non-convective and convective types, focus on more severe weather conditions.

What does Cavok mean?

cloud and visibility OK
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).

Is TAF AGL or ASL?

Heights in METAR and TAF are always stated as height AGL. On the other hand, heights in graphic area forecasts (GFA) and PIREPs are normally stated as height ASL, since terrain heights are variable over the larger area covered.

What does METAR stand for in aviation category?

A METAR is Meteorological Terminal Air Report (or “aviation routine weather report”) is a weather report of a actual conditions at an airport at a specific time. A TAF (Terminal Area Forecast) is a weather forecast for a given area around the airport specified in the forecast.

What are the current weather conditions for METARs?

KSDF 131156Z 21008KT 10SM OVC014 24/21 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP191 70009 T02390206 10239 20233 53016 KSDF (LOUISVILLE , KY, US) observed 1156 UTC 13 July 2021 from the SSW (210 degrees) at 9 MPH (8 knots; 4.1 m/s)

What’s the difference between a METAR and a TAF?

A TAF (Terminal Area Forecast) is a weather forecast for a given area around the airport specified in the forecast. Therefore the main difference between the two is that METARs are a record of actual conditions where TAFs are a prediction of future weather. Another difference is that METARs may include a “remarks” (RMK) section.

Is it difficult to understand an aviation weather report?

Aviation weather is often difficult to understand, but not at iFlightPlanner. Copy and paste your raw METAR or TAF text below to view color-coded, plain language aviation weather reports.