🌤️ METAR, TAF, NOTAM: Learning to read aviation weather
📡 METAR — Current weather
Example:
KJFK 071200Z 24015G25KT 10SM FEW025 SCT040 18/12 A3015 RMK AO2
🔍 Breaking it down:
KJFK = 📍 New York JFK
071200Z = 📅 Day 07, ⏰ 12:00 UTC
24015G25KT = 💨 Wind 240° 15 knots, gusts 25
10SM = 👁️ Visibility 10 statute miles
FEW025 SCT040 = ☁️ Clouds:
FEW = few (1-2/8)
025 = at 2,500 feet
SCT = scattered (3-4/8)
040 = at 4,000 feet
Cloud coverage:
☀️ FEW — few
🌤️ SCT — scattered
⛅ BKN — broken (5-7/8)
☁️ OVC — overcast (8/8)
18/12 = 🌡️ +18°C, dew point +12°C
A3015 = 📊 Altimeter 30.15 inHg
RMK AO2 = 📝 Remarks (automated station)
🌧️ Weather codes
Intensity:
- = light
(nothing) = moderate
+ = heavy
Types:
🌧️ RA = rain
🌨️ SN = snow
🌫️ FG = fog
⚡ TS = thunderstorm
🌧️ SH = showers
🧊 GR = hail
Examples:
-RA = light rain
+TSRA = heavy thunderstorm with rain
FZFG = freezing fog
📅 TAF — Forecast
Example:
TAF EGLL 071100Z 0712/0818 24015KT 9999 FEW030
TEMPO 0712/0716 24020G30KT
BECMG 0800/0802 28012KT
Breaking it down:
EGLL 071100Z = 📍 London Heathrow, ⏰ issued 07/11:00Z
0712/0818 = 📆 Valid: from 07/12Z to 08/18Z
24015KT 9999 FEW030 = 💨 Base forecast
TEMPO 0712/0716 = ⚠️ Temporarily from 12Z to 16Z
💨 Wind increases to 20kt gusting 30
BECMG 0800/0802 = 🔄 Gradually from 00Z to 02Z
💨 Wind changes to 280° 12kt
Important groups:
⚡ TEMPO — temporary (<1 hour)
📈 BECMG — gradual change
🎲 PROB30/40 — 30%/40% probability
🔄 FM — rapid change
📋 NOTAM — Operational info
What you'll find:
🚧 Runway closures:
RWY 24L CLOSED 0712120000-0712180000
📡 Equipment out of service:
ILS RWY 06 U/S
🎪 Obstacles:
CRANE 500FT HEIGHT
⚔️ Military zones:
MILITARY EXERCISES PROHIBITED
🔍 Where to check?
🌐 aviationweather.gov — official
🌐 SimBrief — built-in planner
🌐 metar.vatsim.net — for VATSIM
📱 Aviation Weather (app)