Reading the Weather – METARs

Jon K

Lesson Progress

0% Complete

METARs

METARs are a snapshot in time, a simple observation of what the weather was doing at a particular moment. They are an excellent tool to tell you if the weather is okay right now, but offer no forecast into the future.

REMEMBER:

They are a direct observation of what is happening at and over top of the observation station at the field the moment the data is collected.
They are typically issued every hour, unless there is rapidly changing conditions, and then they may be issued more frequently.

Example 1 Decoded:

KSRQ 180253Z 06011KT 10SM CLR 23/21 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP175 T02330206

METAR for:	KSRQ (Sarasota-Bradenton I, FL, US)
Text:	KSRQ 180253Z 06011KT 10SM CLR 23/21 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP175 T02330206
Temperature:	23.3°C ( 74°F)
Dewpoint:	20.6°C ( 69°F) [RH = 85%]
Pressure (altimeter):	30.05 inches Hg (1017.7 mb) [Sea level pressure: 1017.5 mb]
Winds:	from the ENE (60 degrees) at 13 MPH (11 knots; 5.7 m/s)
Visibility:	10 or more sm (16+ km)
Ceiling:	at least 12,000 feet AGL
Clouds:	sky clear below 12,000 feet AGL

Example 2 Decoded:

KMIA 180253Z 04004KT 10SM FEW025 BKN070 OVC120 28/23 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP166 T02830233 $

METAR for:	KMIA (Miami Intl, FL, US)
Text:	KMIA 180253Z 04004KT 10SM FEW025 BKN070 OVC120 28/23 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP166 T02830233 $
Temperature:	28.3°C ( 83°F)
Dewpoint:	23.3°C ( 74°F) [RH = 74%]
Pressure (altimeter):	30.02 inches Hg (1016.7 mb) [Sea level pressure: 1016.6 mb]
Winds:	from the NE (40 degrees) at 5 MPH (4 knots; 2.1 m/s)
Visibility:	10 or more sm (16+ km)
Ceiling:	7000 feet AGL
Clouds:	few clouds at 2500 feet AGL, broken clouds at 7000 feet AGL, overcast cloud deck at 12000 feet AGL
QC Flag:	SOME DATA ABOVE MAY BE INACCURATE!!!”$” is an indication the sensor requires maintenance.

Basic Private Pilot Ground School