METAR / TAF decoder
Decode aviation weather reports into plain English, with diagrams and a quiz.
Quiz on the report
Code reference
Cloud amount: FEW 1–2 oktas · SCT 3–4 · BKN 5–7 · OVC 8 · NSC no significant cloud · SKC sky clear · VV vertical visibility (sky obscured). Heights are in hundreds of feet above the aerodrome: BKN025 = 2 500 ft.
Intensity: − light · (none) moderate · + heavy · VC in the vicinity.
Descriptors: MI shallow · BC patches · PR partial · DR low drifting · BL blowing · SH showers · TS thunderstorm · FZ freezing.
Weather: DZ drizzle · RA rain · SN snow · SG snow grains · PL ice pellets · GR hail · GS small hail · BR mist · FG fog · FU smoke · HZ haze · DU dust · SA sand · VA volcanic ash · SQ squall · FC funnel cloud.
Other groups: CAVOK · 9999 = 10 km or more · Q1013 = QNH in hPa · A2992 = altimeter in inHg · M = minus · R28/1200 = RVR on runway 28 · NOSIG = no significant change · BECMG = becoming · TEMPO = temporarily · TL/FM/AT = until/from/at.
TAF: 0412/0518 = valid from day 04 12 UTC to day 05 18 UTC · FM = from (rapid change) · BECMG = gradual change · TEMPO = temporary fluctuations (under half the period) · PROB30/40 = probability · TX/TN = maximum / minimum temperature.
Flight category (FAA style): VFR (ceiling above 3 000 ft and visibility above 5 SM), MVFR (1 000–3 000 ft or 3–5 SM), IFR (500–1 000 ft or 1–3 SM), LIFR (below 500 ft or below 1 SM). A ceiling is the lowest BKN or OVC layer, or vertical visibility.
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