# Presentation: 200377

## METAR/TAF YOUR “NEW” AVIATION WEATHER FORMAT

**Notes:**
                                                                LAN  AFSS                                                       11/95

       Upgrades and formatting by :   Ken  Latka

                         Slide pictures taken  by :   John  Fellows

PS: for authorized use of this program make your check payable to 
     KEN LATKA...

## Beginning Oct 1996

- MILITARY BASES CURRENTLY USING SIMILAR FORMAT

**Notes:**
Mexico also using similar format..

Canada will be trained on TAF/METAR in Jan-96 and go on line after  the training classes have been successfully completed...

## METAR/TAF?

- What  is

## METAR

- AVIATION ROUTINE  WEATHER REPORTS
- TAF
- AERODROME FORECASTS

## METAR/TAF

- SIGNIFICANT CODE CHANGES FOR METAR
- ELEMENTS PRESENTED IN A DIFFERENT ORDER

## Where, When, and Wind   

- of  3W’s at the beginning...
- Where, When, and Wind

- _KPIT_  _201955Z_  _22015G25KT_

*This works for METAR as well as TAF!*

## The body of METAR                                          WIND / VISIBILITY / WEATHER / SKY CONDITION

## METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992

- PIT SA 1955 E10 OVC 3 /4TRW 64/60/2215G25/992/  R28RVR2600

- Current U.S. SA

- 1996 U.S. METAR

**Notes:**

                                         the current way 

                                         the future        ( effective   jul-96 )
                                         will become the standard.....

 only TCU and CB are specifically identified in metar observations... 

## METAR/TAF

- Visibility - Annotated by Statute Miles
- Weather Phenomena -SHSN +SHRA
- Present 2 Letter Weather Code Dropped
- Cloud Types Identified only if CB or TCU
- V V - Replaces Indefinite Ceiling
- _V V001_ Same as Old _W1X0F_
- _V V///_  Means Indefinite Ceiling, Height not Known.

**Notes:**
                       OBSTRUCTIONS   TO   VISIBILITY

fog (FG) is reported ONLY BY a single element when the vsby is less than 5/8 mi.
otherwise, then FG will be used form 5/8 - 6 mi combined with one of the following qualifers.

PR-  partial                MI- shallow
BC- patches              VC- vicinity

FG - fog   (VSBY less than 5/8 mile)

BR - mist   (vsby 5/8 - 6 mi )  

*There is no provision in the METAR code to report partial obscurations...

## METAR/TAF

- ALL TEMPERATURES AND DEWPOINTS WILL BE IN CELSIUS
- ALL TEMPERATURES IN 2 DIGITS
- BELOW ZERO TEMPS INDICATED BY “M”
- EXAMPLE: 02/M03
- ALTIMETER ANNOTATED BY “A”
- EXAMPLE: A2992

## METAR/TAF

- PIT SA 1955 M10 OVC 3/4TRW 132/59/52/2215G25/992/
- R28RRVR2600

**Current  SAO**

## METAR/TAF

- METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992

**Notes:**

notice the code changes and the elements presented in a different order.. 

The body of the Obs begins with the three W’s. Where, When, and Wind.
To help remember the sequence, think of the 3W’s at the beginning---	
Where, When, and Wind. This works for METAR as well as TAF!!

NOTE: When METAR data is missing from the body of the report (e.g., dew point), it is simply omitted and the user must know the sequence to recognize this...
A ceiling layer is not designated in the metar code. For aviation purposes, the ceiling is the lowest broken or overcast layer, or vertical vsby in an obscuration. Also ther is no provision for reporting thin layers in the metar code...

## METAR/TAF

- OK, LET’S TEST FLY
-     METAR !

## METAR/TAF

- METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
- Explanation: Routine Hourly Observation

## METAR/TAF

- SPECI KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
- Explanation: Special or Record Special Report

**Notes:**
(COR for correction to observation)

##  METAR/TAR

- METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
- Explanation: Reporting Point Using Four Letters - Domestic U.S. Begins With “K”

## METAR/TAF

- METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
- Explanation: Observation taken on 20thday of month, at 1955 UTC (Zulu)
- Time always in 4 digits

## METAR/TAF

- METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
- Explanation: Surface winds from 220 degrees at 15 Knots Gusting to 25 Knots

## METAR/TAF

- Calm winds indicated by: 00000KT
- 22015KT 180V260 - When wind direction varies 60 degrees or more and wind is greater than 6 Knots
- VRB - When wind direction is variable and speed less than or equal to 6 knots
- RMK - Peak wind data reported in remarks section when max. *instantaneous* speed is greater than 25 knots - 22030/15

**Notes:**
                          WIND / WIND SHEAR
WIND
Internationally wind may be reported in knots (KT), kilometers per hour (KMH) or meters per second (MPS)..

WIND SHEAR
Low level wind shear, not associated with convective activity (e.g.,WS015/30045, see Taf) will appear in TAFS in the u.s., canada, and mexico only..

## METAR/TAF

- METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
- Explanation: Visibility is 3/4 STATUTE MILES - Note annotation of “SM”
- Miles and fractions are also reported (e.g.., 2 3/4SM for 2 and 3/4 miles vis.)

## METAR/TAF

- METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
- Explanation: For Runway 28 Right, The RVR is Reported as 2600 Feet

## METAR/TAF

- More visibility codes you may see:
- “M” - Indicates RVR is less than lowest reportable sensor value (M600FT)
- “P” - Indicates RVR is greater than reportable sensor value (P6000FT)
- “V” - Indicates RVR is variable (R06L/2000V4000FT) - Runway 6L RVR is variable between 2000 feet and 4000 feet

## METAR/TAF

- METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
- Explanation: Thunderstorms and Rainshowers of Moderate Intensity at the time of observation
- [ “-” indicates light, “+” indicates heavy ]

## METAR/TAF

- Significant Weather Codes:
- Format is a two letter character descriptor : (TS, SH, FZ, etc...)
- Followed by a two character weather phenomenon ( RA, SN, FG, etc...)
- All codes in the abbreviation section of METAR/TAF Booklet

## METAR/TAF

- Cloud height is reported in hundreds of feet.
- When clouds are towering cumulus or cumulonimbus, TCU or CB will follow cloud heights.

## METAR/TAF

- Clouds are categorized based on eights (octas) of sky cover. SKC  -    SKY CLEAR
- FEW -     1-2 OCTAS
- SCT  -     3-4 OCTAS
- BKN  -     5-7 OCTAS
- OVC  -       8 OCTAS

**Notes:**
                                                   OCTAS

OCTAS means, a way of dividing up the sky. The eighth part of a circle. Dividing into 8th’s...Sides of a STOP sign.... Number of sides on the Pentagon plus three sides from the building next door...

## METAR/TAF

- METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
- Explanation: Overcast Cloud Deck at
- 1000 Feet with Cumulonimbus Clouds

**Notes:**
           SEVERE  THUNDERSTORMS are reported as 

                                             +TSSHRA 

## METAR/TAF

- METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
- Explanation: Temperature is 18 Celsius, Dew Point is 16
- Below Zero Reported With Minus as “M06”

## METAR/TAF

- METAR KPIT 201955Z 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992
- Explanation: Altimeter Setting - Now Four Digits - In U.S. “A” Indicates Inches of Mercury.  “Q” is Metric (HectoPascals) Not used in U.S.

## METAR/TAF 

- TAF’s Exclude Temperature, Turbulence and Icing Forecast
- TAF AMD - Amended Forecast
- NSW - No Significant Weather
- SKC - Clear Skies
- VC - Vicinity, but not at Aerodome; in U.S. (5-10 Statute Miles from Center of Runway Complex)..

## METAR/TAF

- OKAY, LETS TRY A SHORT QUIZ ON METAR !

## METAR/TAF

- METAR KATL 101050Z 00000KT 15SM SKC 26/18 A3021
- Easy, Right ?

- METAR EGLL 151050Z 31015G27KT 280V350 1400SW 6000N R24LP1500 +SHRA SCT005 SCT010CB BKN018 OVC025 10/03 Q0995

- DTW SA 1050 5 SCT 10 SCT E18 BKN 25 OVC 7/8SW 10/03/3115G27/937

**Current U.S. SA**

**1996 INTERNATIONAL**
**METAR**

**Notes:**
                          INTERNATIONAL DIFFERENCES   

Altimeter settings
The U.S. reports the altimeter settings in inches of mercury
(e.g., A2992) and internationally it will be reported in hectopascals (millibars)
(e.g., Q1013).
WIND
Internationally wind may be reported in knots (KT), kilometers per hour (KMH) or meters per second (MPS).
WIND SHEAR
LLWS, not associated with convective activity (e.g., WSO15/30045KT, see TAF ) will appear in TAF’s in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico only..
VISIBILITY
Internationally, visibility is reported in 4 digits using meters with the direction of the lowest vsby sector (e.g., 6000SW- meaning vsby is lowest at 6000 meters in the southwest). In the U.S., we use prevailing vsby , in statue miles, not the lowest vsby, so the same conditions would be reported differently..

## METAR ASOS/AWOS

- METAR KOWA 251955Z AUTO 31008 10SM FEW015 SCT025 05/M05 A2992 RMK AO2	SLP013 T00471054

**Notes:**
Pilots will notice the  METAR/SPECI code and sequence replaces the format on automated weather observations  (AWOS / ASOS )..

Remarks (RMK) abbreviation for the type and number of sensors (A01,A02).
A01- attended.  A02-  unattended.

METAR without human intervention contains the word  AUTO..

If the site is attended, the METAR may contain information that has been manually provided by the observer, as in the case  of some weather phenomena. The observer’s comments will appear in the RMK section..

## Slide 35

## METAR/TAF

- TAF’s are scheduled for issuance four times daily at ***00Z, 06Z, 12Z, ***and ***18Z.***
- TAF, contains a definitive forecast for specific time periods and will replace the Terminal Forecast

## Current U.S. FT

- 20Z C15 OVC 3RW OCNL C8 OVC        1/2 TRW.
- 23Z C20 BKN 40 OVC 5RW CHC 1RF.
- 10Z C20 OVC 5R-.13Z CLR...

**Current U.S. FT**

## METAR/TAF

- TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020
- FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..
- FM2300  27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
- FM1000  22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
- BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC

## Break it down

- TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020
- FM2000  30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..
- FM2300  27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
- FM1000  22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
- BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC

- THE SECRET:
- by time frames!

## METAR/TAF

- HOW TO IDENTIFY THE TIME FRAMES:
- FM2000 - FroM and 4-digit group, hour and minute : indicates significant change.
- PROB40 2022- PROBability of condition during 2-digit beginning and 2-digit ending time..

**Notes:**
                         SCHEDULED FOUR TIMES DAILY

for 24-hour periods beginning at  0000z, 0600z, 1200z, and 1800z....

## METAR/TAF

- HOW TO IDENTIFY THE TIME FRAMES:
- TEMPO 0407 - TEMPOrary, changes expected for less than 1 hour at a time.
- BECMG 1315 - BECoMinG, changes expected during 2-digit beginning and 2-digit ending time period...

**Notes:**
The TEMPO group is used for any conditions in wind, visibility, weather or sky condition which are expected to last for generally less than an hour at a time...

## METAR/TAF

- TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818
- Explanation: Pittsburgh, PA, Terminal Forecast Issued on the 9th at 17:20Z and Valid from the 9th starting at 18:00Z until the 10th at 18:00Z

## METAR/TAF

- TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020
- FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..
- FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
- FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
- BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC

## METAR/TAF

- TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020
- FM2000  30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..
- FM2300  27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
- FM1000  22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
- BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC

## METAR/TAF

- 1818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020
- Explanation: From the Beginning of the Forecast period (18:00Z) Until the Next Time Frame, the Forecast Winds 220 Degrees at 20Knots, Visibility 3 Statue Miles, in Light Rain Showers with a Broken Ceiling of 2000 Feet

## METAR/TAF

- TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020
**FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..**
- FM2300  27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
- FM1000  22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
- BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC

## METAR/TAF

_**FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015**_** ****PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..**
**Explanation: The First Part, From 2000Z, Forecast Winds From 300 Degrees at 15 Knots Gusting to 25 Knots, Visibility 3 Statue Miles in Moderate Rain Showers, With an Overcast Ceiling at 1500 Feet.**

## METAR/TAF

**FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015**** **_**PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..**_
**Explanation: The Second Part, Between, 20Z and 22Z, Forecasts a Probability of the Visibility Going Down to 1/2 Statue Mile in Thunder Storms and Moderate Rain Showers With the Ceiling Lowering to 800 Feet with Cumulonimbus Clouds.**

## METAR/TAF

- TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020
**FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..**
- FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
- FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
- BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC

## METAR/TAF

- FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
**Remember Time Frames? There are two Within This Example.**

## METAR/TAF 

- _FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040_ TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
- Explanation: From 2300Z Until 1000Z the Winds are Expected to be From 270 Degrees at 8 Knots, Visibility 5 Statue Miles in Light Rain Showers, With a Broken Ceiling at 2000 Feet and Overcast Ceiling at 4000 Feet.

## METAR/TAF

- FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 _TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG.._
- Explanation: Between 04Z and 07Z the Forecast Calls for Calm Winds, Visibility Temporarily Decreasing to 1 Statue Mile in Light Rain and Fog.

## METAR/TAF 

- TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020
**FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..**
- FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
- FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
- BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC

## METAR/TAF 

- FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
- Explanation: From 1000Z (Until 1800Z) the Forecast Calls for Winds From 220 Degrees at 10 Knots, Visibility 5 Statute Miles in Light Rain Showers, With an Overcast Ceiling at 2000 Feet. (Notice - Not CB or TCU Type Cloud)

## METAR/TAF 

- TAF KPIT 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020
**FM2000 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB..**
- FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM -RA FG..
- FM10 00 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020..
- BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC

## METAR/TAF

- BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC
- Explanation: The Weather Becoming Between 13Z and 15Z, Surface Winds From 200 Degrees at 10 Knots and Visibility of More Than 6 Statute Miles, with No Significant Weather and Clear Skies.

## METAR/TAF 

- BECMG CLR ?

## METAR/TAF 

- QUESTIONS ?

## METAR/TAF 

- Thank You!