METAR description

METAR is aerodrome routine meteorological report (in meteorological code).

AERODROME
METAR LJLJ 280830Z 32008KT 9999 FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

THE DATE AND TIME OF METAR REPORT

The consecutive day of the month
METAR LJLJ 280830Z 32008KT 9999 FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

Hour
METAR LJLJ 280830Z 32008KT 9999 FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

Minute
METAR LJLJ 280830Z 32008KT 9999 FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

Letter Z indicates time in UTC

METAR LJLJ 280830Z 32008KT 9999 FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

AUTO METAR

METAR LJLJ 280830Z AUTO 32008KT 9999 FEW030/// BKN050/// 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

The code word AUTO is inserted when the report contains fully automated observation without
human intervention.

WIND
Wind direction in degrees from true north.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z 32008KT 9999 FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

The encode VRB is used when the variation of measured wind direction is 180° or more.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB08KT 9999 FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

Wind speed
METAR LJLJ 280830Z 12008KT 9999 FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=
Units used for wind speed are knots (KT) or meters per second (MPS)
METAR LJLJ 280830Z 12008KT 9999 FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

Wind gusts are indicated when wind gusts exceed 10KT of mean wind speed. Gusts are
indicated by using the letter G directly after the mean speed, followed by the maximum
gust speed.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z 32012G25KT 9999 FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

VISIBILITY
In METAR report prevailing visibility is reported. Values are reported in meters, 9999 indicates a
prevailing visibility of 10 km or greater.

Prevailing visibility
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 7000 FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

Minimum visibility is significantly different from the prevailing visibility

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 7000 0300SE FEW030 BKN050 17/13 Q1024 NOSIG=

RUNWAY VISUAL RANGE - RVR

Runway designator
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 0300 R30/0600 FG VV001 05/05 Q1002 NOSIG=

RVR visibility in meters

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 0300 R30/0600 FG VV001 05/05 Q1002 NOSIG=

RVR visibility greater than 2000m

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 0700 R31/P2000 FG VV001 05/05 Q1002 NOSIG=

RVR visibility less than 150m

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 0100 R31/M0150 FG VV001 05/05 Q1002 NOSIG=

Tendency – RVR has increased during the observation period

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 0400 R31/0800U FG VV001 05/05 Q1002 NOSIG=

Tendency – RVR has decreased

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 0400 R31/0800D FG VV001 05/05 Q1002 NOSIG=

Tendency – indicates no distinct change in RVR

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 0400 R31/0800N FG VV001 05/05 Q1002 NOSIG=

The minimum and maximum values of RVR during the 10 min period prior to observation
time
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 0300 R31/0400V0800 FG VV001 05/05 Q1002 NOSIG=
PRESENT WEATHER
Weather phenomena reported in METAR report are:

Precipitation Obscuration Other

DZ Drizzle BR Mist PO Dust/sand whirls
RA Rain FG Fog SQ Squalls
SN Snow FU Smoke FC Funnel cloud(s)
(tornado or water-
spout)
SG Snow grains VA Volcanic ash SS Sandstorm
IC Ice Crystals DU Wide-spread dust DS Duststorm
PL Ice pellets SA Sand
GR Hail HZ Haze
GS Small hail and/or snow
pellets

Intensity and descriptors of weather phenomena are:

Intensity Descriptor
- Light MI Shallow
Moderate BC Patches
+ Heavy PR Partial
DR Low drifting
BL Blowing
SH Shower(s)
TS Thunderstorm
FZ Freezing (supercooled)

Examples:

Fog at the airport:

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 0400 R31/0800D FG VV001 05/05 Q1002 NOSIG=

Light rain at the airport:

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 3000 -RA OVC033 07/05 Q1002 NOSIG=

Moderate shower rain at the airport:

METAR LJLJ 280830Z 14007KT 7000 SHRA SCT030TCU BKN050 17/12 Q1012 NOSIG=
CLOUD
Cloud information group usually consists of six characters: the first three indicate the expected
cloud amount (in octas of sky coverage) and the last three characters indicate the expected
height of the base in units of 100 feet.

Cloud amount Convective cloud type

1/8 to 2/8 FEW few CB Cumulonimbus
3/8 to 4/8 SCT scattered TCU Towering cumulus
5/8 to 7/8 BKN broken
8/8 OVC overcast

Cloud
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 NOSIG=
1/8 to 2/8 of cloud with base at 3000 ft and 5/8 to 7/8 of cloud with base at 4000 ft above ground
level.

Convective cloud
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 6000 SHRA FEW030 SCT040TCU BKN050 22/16
Q1011 NOSIG=

1/8 to 2/8 of cloud with base at 3000 ft above ground level and 3/8 to 4/8 of cumulus congestus
with base at 4000 ft above ground level and 5/8 to 7/8 of cloud with base at 5000 ft above ground
level.

NSC - NIL Significant Clouds

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 3000 BR NSC 15/07 Q1007 NOSIG=

NCD - No Clouds Detected (AUTO METAR)

METAR LJMB 280830Z AUTO VRB02KT 3000 BR NCD 15/07 Q1007 NOSIG=

VERTICAL VISIBILITY
When the sky is obscured and cloud details cannot be assessed but information on vertical
visibility is available, the cloud group is replaced by vertical visibility (VV) in units of 100 feet, as
cloud base.

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 0400 R31/0800D FG VV001 05/05 Q1002 NOSIG=

Vertical visibility at the airport is 100 feet above ground level.

CAVOK
The code word CAVOK is used when the following conditions occur at the same time:
• prevailing visibility is 10 km or more,
• no cloud below 5 000 ft or below the higher minimum sector altitude, whichever is
greater, and no CB and/or TCU,
• nil significant weather phenomena.

TEMPERATURE
0
Air temperature in C
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 NOSIG=
0
Dew point temperature in C
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 NOSIG=

Negative temperature in 0C
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 01/M03 Q1007 NOSIG=

PRESSURE
The last group of the main part of the report should indicate the QNH rounded down to the
nearest whole hectopascal.

Air pressure in hPa

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 NOSIG=
Air pressure is 1007 hPa.

Air pressure in inches of mercury

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 A3017 NOSIG=
Air pressure is 30.17 inches of mercury.

SUPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Recent weather
Using the indicator letters RE, information on recent weather is reported when weather
phenomena were observed since the last observation, but not at the time of observation.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z 14007KT 7000 -RA SCT030 BKN050 17/12 Q1012 RETSRA NOSIG=

Wind shear along the runway 31

METAR LJLJ 280830Z 14007KT 7000 -RA SCT030 BKN050 17/12 Q1012 WS RWY31 NOSIG=

Wind shear along all runways

METAR LJLJ 280830Z 14007KT 7000 SCT030 BKN050 17/12 Q1012 WS ALL RWY NOSIG=
SNOWTAM

Report of the state of the runway.

METAR LJLJ 280830Z 14007KT 7000 SCT030 BKN050 17/12 Q1012 R31/451293 NOSIG=

Runway designator: R31/451293

Applies to all runways: R88/451293
A previous report is repeated: R99/451293

Type of deposit: R88/451293

Code Meaning
0 clear and dry
1 damp
2 wet or water patches
3 rime or frost < 1mm
4 dry snow
5 wet snow
6 slush
7 ice
8 compacted or rolled snow
9 frozen ruts or ridges
/ not reported (e.g. due to runway clearance in
progress)

Extent of contamination: R88/451293

Code Meaning
1 10% or less of runway covered
2 11% to 25% of runway covered
5 26% to 50% of runway covered
9 51% to 100% of runway covered
/ not reported (e.g. due to runway clearance in
progress)

Depth of deposition: R88/451293

Code Meaning
00 depth of deposition is less than 1 mm
01 depth of deposition in mm

90
91 is not in use
92 depth of deposition is 100 mm
93 depth of deposition is 150 mm
94 depth of deposition is 200 mm
95 depth of deposition is 250 mm
96 depth of deposition is 300 mm
97 depth of deposition is 350 mm
98 depth of deposition is 450 mm or more
99 runway not operational due to contamination or due to
clearance in progress
// depth not significant (e.g. ice or not measurable e.g. wet)
Friction coefficient or braking conditions: R88/451235
35 indicates friction coefficient 0.35.

friction coefficient braking action

0,40 or more 5
0,39 - 0,36 4
0,35 - 0,30 3
0,29 - 0,26 2
0,25 or less 1

If the friction coefficient is not available following estimates are used:

95 braking action good
94 braking action medium good
93 braking action medium
92 braking action medium poor
91 braking action poor
99 braking action unreliable or not
measurable

Friction coefficient or braking conditions: R88/451293

93 indicates medium braking action.

Runway 31 is not in use due to cleaning: R31///99//

Report is not updated: R31///////
Airport closed due to snow: R/SNOCLO
Contamination has disappeared (runway has been cleared): R31/CLRD//

TREND
TREND forecasts are appended to METAR. Information contained in the TREND is a forecast
covering a period of 2 hours from the time of observation. TREND forecast indicates significant
changes in respect of one or more of the elements: surface wind, prevailing visibility weather and
cloud. When nil significant change is expected to occur, this is indicated by abbreviation NOSIG.

NOSIG – NIL Significant Changes.

METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 NOSIG=

Change indicator - BECMG

The change indicator BECMG is used to describe expected changes which reach or pass
specified values at a regular or irregular rate. The period during which, or the time at which, the
change is forecast to occur is indicated by using the abbreviations FM (from), TL (till), AT, as
appropriate.
• When the change is forecast to start at the beginning of the TREND forecast period and
to be completed by the end of that period, or when the change is forecast to occur within
the TREND period but the time is uncertain, the change indicator BECMG is used.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 BECMG
32012KT=
 • When a change is forecasted to begin and and within the TREND forecast period, the
beginning and end of change are indicated by using the abbreviations FM and TL.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 BECMG FM0900
TL1000 32012KT=

• When the change is forecast to start at the beginning of the TREND period but is
expected to be completed before the end of that period, only the abbreviation TL and its
associated time group is used to indicate the end of the change.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 BECMG TL1000
32012KT=

• When the change is forecast to begin during the TREND forecast period and to be
completed at the end of that period, the abbreviation FM and associated time group is
used to indicate the beginning of the change.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 BECMG FM0930
32012KT=

• When the change is forecast to occur at a specific time during the TREND forecast
period, the abbreviation AT followed by the associated time group is used to indicate the
time of the change.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 BECMG AT0930
32012KT=

Change indicator - TEMPO

The change group TEMPO is used to describe forecast temporary fluctuations in the
meteorological conditions which reach or pass specified values and last for a period of less than 1
hour in each instance and in total for less than half of the forecast period during which the
fluctuations are forecast to occur. The period during which the temporary fluctuations are
expected to occur is indicated by using the abbreviations FM and/or TL, as appropriate, followed
by a time group.

• When the period of temporary fluctuations are forecast to start at the beginning of the
TREND period and to continue throughout the period, the change indicator TEMPO is
used.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 TEMPO
32012KT=

• When the period of temporary fluctuations are forecast to begin and end within the
TREND forecast period, the beginning and the end are indicated by using the
abbreviations FM and TL, respectively, with their associated time groups.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 TEMPO FM0900
TL1000 32012KT=
• When the period of temporary fluctuations are forecast to start at the beginning of the
TREND period but are expected to end before the end of the period, TL and its time
group is used to indicate the end of fluctuations.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 TEMPO TL1000
32012KT=

• When the period of temporary fluctuations are forecast to begin during the TREND period
and to continue throughout the period, the abbreviation FM and its associated time group
only is used to indicate the beginning of fluctuations.
METAR LJLJ 280830Z VRB02KT 9999 FEW030 BKN100 15/07 Q1007 TEMPO FM0930
32012KT=