Body of METAR - Consists of 11 Elements

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

Type of Report (METAR/SPECI)

15-7

METAR is the routine (scheduled) report. SPECI is the non-routine (unscheduled) weather report.

X

X

Station Identifier (CCCC)

15-8

ICAO station identifier. Consists of four alphabetic characters, e.g., KABC.

X

X

Date/Time (YYGGggZ)

15-9

Day of the month, followed by the actual time of the report or when the criteria for a SPECI is met or noted. Group ends with Z to indicate UTC. For example, 251456Z.

X

X

Report Modifier (AUTO or COR)

15-10

AUTO indicates a fully auto- mated report. If not automated report, this field is blank.

X

X

COR indicates the report is a correction of a previously issued METAR or SPECI.

X

X

Wind (dddff(f)Gf_mf_mf_mKT) (d_nd_nd_nVd_xd_xd_x)

15-11

True wind direction in tens of degrees using three digits. Speed reported in whole knots (two or three digits). Gusts (G) appended to the speed if observed. Group ends with KT, e.g., 23018G26KT. If wind direction varies by 60^o or more and speed is >6 knots, a variable wind group may also be reported, e.g., 180V250. Direction may be reported VRB (variable) if speed is <6 knots, e.g., VRB05KT. Calm winds are coded 00000KT.

X

X

Visibility (VVVVVSM)

15-12

Prevailing visibility in statute miles. A space divides whole miles and fractions. Ends with SM: 1 1/2SM. AUTO: M pref. means "less than": M1/4SM.

X

X

Runway Visual Range (RD_RD_R/V_RV_RV_RV_RFT or RD_RD_R/V_NV_NV_NV_NVV_XV_XV _XV_XFT)

15-13

At designated stations, 10-minute RVR value: Reported in hundreds of feet if visibility is < one statute mile or RVR is < 6000 feet. Group ends with FT to indicate feet, e.g., R06L/2000FT. Prefixed with either M or P indicates the value is lower or higher than the RVR reportable values, e.g., R06L/P6000FT. If variable during the evaluation period, the variability is reported, e.g., R06L/2000V4000FT.

D

D

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

15-14

Weather phenomena (other than obscurations) occurring at the station are reported in the body of the report. Weather obscurations are generally reported if visibility < 7 miles (see 15-14 for exceptions). Volcanic ash reported with any visibility. Reported in order of decreasing predominance. Maximum of three groups reported (pcpn included in one group; separate groups for other phenomena).

X

X

Sky Condition (N_sN_sN_sh_sh_sh_s or VVh_sh_sh_s or CLR or SKC)

15-15

Automated stations report to three layers up to 12,000 feet; if no layers are detected, CLR is reported. At manual stations up to six layers may be reported; if no layers observed, SKC is reported. Each layer contains the amount (FEW, SCT, BKN, OVC) immediately followed by the height using three digits, e.g., FEW015, BKN030. A layer containing CB or TCU is indicated by appending the contraction to the layer height, e.g., FEW015TCU. All layers are considered opaque. Vertical Visibility (VV) is reported in hundreds of feet for a total obscuration (indefinite ceiling), e.g., VV002. Surface-based obscuration (manual only) reported using amount (FEW, SCT, BKN) followed by "000", e.g., SCT000; remark reported as "FG SCT000."

X

X

Temperature/Dew Point (T'T'/T'_dT'_d)

15-16

Temperature and dew point are reported to the nearest whole degree Celsius using two digits, e.g., 17/13. Sub-zero values are prefixed with an M, e.g., 03/M02.

X

X

Altimeter (AP_HP_HP_HP_H)

15-17

Altimeter is prefixed with an A indicating altimeter in inches of mercury. Reported using four digits; tens, units, tenths, and hundreths of inches of mercury, e.g., A2990.

X

X

Remarks Section of Observation - Consists of 2 Groups of Remarks

Group 1 - Automated, Manual, and Plain Language

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

Volcanic Eruptions

15-20

Volcanic eruptions shall be reported whenever first noted. Pre-eruption activity shall not be reported. (Use PIREPs to report pre-eruption activity.) Encode volcanic eruptions as described in Chapter 11.

X

X

Tornadic Activity (Manual and Augmented Auto)

(Tornadic activity_B/E(hh)mm LOC/DIR_(MOV))

15-21

Whenever tornadoes, funnel clouds, or waterspouts begin, are in progress, end, or disappear from sight, the event should be described directly after the "RMK" element. This remark shall give, insofar as known, the phenomena, time, location and direction from the station, and direction of movement. The time the tornadic activity began shall be reported and prefixed with a "B"; the time the tornadic activity ended or disappeared from sight shall be reported and prefixed with an "E", e.g., TORNADO B13 DSNT NE.

X

X

Type of Automated Station (AO1, AO2)

15-22

This remark identifies the type of automated station. It shall be included in all reports from automated stations. AO1 identifies an automated station without a precipitation discriminator; AO2 identifies an automated station with a precipitation discriminator. The absence of the remark indicates a manual station.

X

X

Peak Wind (PK WND dddff(f)/(hh)mm)
(NA LAWRS)

15-23

At designated stations, when the peak wind exceeds 25 knots, the remark shall be included in the next METAR report. ddd is the direction of the peak wind, ff(f) is the peak wind speed since the last METAR report, and (hh)mm is the time of occurrence (with only the minutes reported if the hour can be inferred from the report time), e.g., PK WND 28045/15.

D

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

Wind Shift (WSHFT_(hh)mm)

15-24

At designated stations, when a wind shift occurs, WSHFT followed by a space and the time the wind shift began shall be reported (with only the minutes reported if the hour can be inferred from the report time). The contraction FROPA may be entered following the time if it is reasonably certain that the wind shift was the result of frontal passage, e.g., WSHFT 30 FROPA.

D

D

Tower or Surface Visibility (TWR VIS) (SFC VIS)

9-3
15-25

If tower visibility or surface visibility is carried in the remarks, use the appropriate set of values and precede the visibility with the appropriate identifier, TWR VIS or SFC VIS, e.g., TWR VIS 1.

D

D

Variable Prevailing Visibility (VIS minVmax)

15-26

Whenever the prevailing visibility is less than 3 statute miles and is variable, this remark shall be entered where min is the lowest visibility evaluated and max is the highest visibility evaluated, e.g., VIS 1/2V2.

X

X

Sector Visibility (VIS_ dd_vv)

15-27

Sector visibility shall be reported when it differs from the prevailing visibility by one or more reportable values and either the prevailing or sector visibility is less than 3 miles or considered to be operationally significant. In the remark, dd defines the sector to 8 points of the compass and vv is the sector visibility in SM, e.g., VIS N 2.

X

X

Visibility at Second Location (VIS vv location)
(NA LAWRS)

15-28

When an automated station uses meteorological discontinuity sensors, remarks shall be added to identify site specific visibilities which differ from conditions reported in the body of the report. vv is the visibility value measured at the secondary location. This remark shall only be generated when the condition is lower than that contained in the body of the report.

D

D

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

Lightning (Frequency_LTG(type)_
[LOC])

15-29

When lightning is observed at a staffed site, the frequency and location shall be reported, along with the type of lightning, e.g., OCNL LTG AT AP, FRQ LTGCG VC.

When lightning is detected by an automated system within 5NM of the ARP, it is reported as "TS" in the body of the report with no remark; within 5-10NM of the ARP, it shall be reported as "VCTS" in the body of the report with no remark; and lightning beyond 10NM from the ARP is reported in remarks as "LTG DSNT" followed by direction from the ARP, e.g., LTG DSNT NE.

X

X

Beginning/

Ending Time of Precipitation (WX)B(mm)E(mm)
(NA LAWRS)

15-30

At designated stations, when precipitation begins or ends, the next METAR report shall include the type of phenomena, the beginning and/or ending time (prefixed with a B and/or E). If the beginning or ending of the precipitation type (hail, freezing precipitation, or ice pellets) initiated the SPECI report, then that SPECI report shall include the type of phenomena, the beginning and/or ending time, and should be reported in the next METAR report, also.

X

X

Beginning/

Ending Time of

Thunderstorms (TS)B(mm)E(mm)

15-31

At designated stations, when thunderstorms begin or end, the SPECI report shall include the type of phenomena, the beginning and/or ending time (prefixed with a B and/or E), and should also be reported in the next METAR report, e.g., TSB05E45

D

D

Thunderstorm Location (TS_LOC_(MOV_DIR))

15-32

At designated stations, thunderstorm location and movement shall be encoded. For example, TS SE MOV NE.

D

D

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

Hailstone Size (GR_
{INCHES})

15-33

At designated stations, the size of the largest hailstone shall be coded in 1/4 inch increments, identified with the contraction GR. (If GS is encoded in the body of the report, no size remark is required.)

D

D

Virga (VIRGA_{Direction})

15-34

When precipitation is observed to be falling from clouds but is not reaching the ground because of evaporation, report VIRGA; the direction from the station is optional, e.g., VIRGA or VIRGA SW.

X

X

Variable Ceiling Height (CIG minVmax)

15-35

Whenever the ceiling is below 3,000 feet and is variable, enter min as the lowest ceiling height evaluated and max as the highest ceiling height evaluated, e.g., CIG 005V010.

X

X

Obscurations

(w’w’_(N_sN_sN_s) h_sh_sh_s)

15-36

When the sky condition contains an obscuration either at the surface or aloft, other than clouds, the type of phenomena in the layer, plus the sky cover at the layer and the height shall be reported in remarks, e.g., FG SCT000 or FU BKN015.

X

X

Variable Sky Condition

(N_sN_sN_s(h_sh_sh_s)_V_N_sN_sN_s)

15-37

This remark shall identify the layer that is varying and indicate the range of variability. If there are several layers of the same coverage, the variable layer shall be identified by including the layer height.

X

X

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

Significant Cloud Types

15-38

When observed, the following clouds are reported in remarks: 1.) Cumulonimbus (CB) or Cumulonimbus Mammatus (CBMAM), distance, direction from the station, direction of movement, e.g., CB W MOV E, CB DSNT W. 2.) Towering Cumulus (TCU), distance, and direction from the station, e.g., TCU W. 3.) Altocumulus Castellanus (ACC), direction from station, e.g., ACC NW. 4.) Standing Lenticular (stratocumulus SCSL; altocumulus ACSL, or cirrocumulus CCSL) or rotor clouds, direction from the station, e.g., ACSL SW-W, APRNT ROTOR CLD NE, CCSL S. Cumulonimbus of any kind and towering cumulus are also identified in the body of the report.

X

X

Ceiling Height at Second Location (CIG_ {height}_

{LOC})
(NA LAWRS)

15-39

When an automated station uses meteorological discontinuity sensors, remarks shall be added to identify site specific sky conditions which differ from conditions reported in the body of the report. This remark shall only be generated when the ceiling is lower than that contained in the body of the report. For example, CIG_002_RY11.

D

D

Pressure Rising or Falling Rapidly (PRESRR) (PRESFR)
(NA LAWRS)

15-40

When the pressure is rising or falling rapidly at the time of the observation, the remark Pressure Rising Rapidly (PRESRR) or Pressure Falling Rapidly (PRESFR) shall be included.

X

Sea-Level Pressure (SLPppp) (SLPNO)
(NA LAWRS)

15-41

At designated stations, this remark begins with SLP and is coded using the tens, units, and tenths of sea-level pressure in hectopascals, e.g., SLP982. If sea-level pressure would normally be reported, but is not available, the remark is coded SLPNO.

D

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

Aircraft Mishap (ACFT_ MSHP)

15-42

If a report was taken to document weather conditions when notified of an aircraft mishap, the remark ACFT MSHP is included in the report, but is not transmitted. This is indicated by putting the remark in parenthesis in the record.

X

X

No SPECI Reports Taken (NOSPECI)

15-43

At staffed stations where SPECI reports are not taken, the remark NOSPECI shall indicate that no changes in weather conditions will be reported until the next METAR report.

D

Snow Increasing Rapidly (SNINCR_(ii)/(ii))
(NA LAWRS)

15-44

Report SNINCR if snow depth increases by 1 inch or more in the past hour, followed by amounts. The remark SNINCR is followed by the depth of increase in the last hour, a solidus, and the total depth of snow on the ground at the time of the report. For example, a snow depth increase of 2 inches in the past hour with a total depth on the ground of 10 inches would be coded "SNINCR 2/10."

D

Other Significant Information (Plain Language)

15-45

Other significant information important to operations, such as information on fog dispersal operations, runway conditions, or "Last" report from location, etc.

X

X

Group 2-Additive and Automated Maintenance Data

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

Hourly Precipitation Amount (Prrrr)
(NA LAWRS)

15-47

At designated automated stations, this remark is included in METAR reports for the water equivalent of all precipitation that has occurred since the last METAR coded in hundredths of an inch, e.g., P0009 indicates 9/100ths of an inch of precipitation in the past hour.

D

1-, 3- and 6-Hourly Ice Accretion Amount,
I1nnn, I3nnn, I6nnn
(NA LAWRS)

15-48

At automated stations with a freezing rain sensor, this remark is included in METAR/SPECI reports for the ice accretion amount that has occurred in hundredths of an inch during the last 1-hour (I1nnn), 3-hour (I3nnn), and 6-hour (I6nnn) period. No manual backup is required.

D

D

3- and 6-Hourly Precipitation Amount, 6RRRR/
(NA LAWRS)

15-49

At designated stations, this remark is included in 3- and 6-hourly observation; encoded in inches, using tenths, and hundredths, of the amt. 2.17 inches of precipitation would be encoded 60217. When an indeterminable amount of precipitation has occurred, the 6RRRR group shall be coded 6////.
Note: ASOS automatically reports this data.

D

24-Hour Precipitation, 7R₂₄R₂₄R₂₄R₂₄
(NA LAWRS)

15-50

At designated stations, included in 1200 UTC observation if more than a trace of precipitation has fallen in past 24 hours, coded using the tens, units, tenths, and hundredths of inches, e.g., 1.25 inches would be coded 70125.

D

Depth of Snow on the Ground, 4/sss
(NA LAWRS)

15-51

Include in 00 and 12 UTC observation if more than a trace of snow on ground and include in 06 and 18 UTC observation if more than a trace of snow on ground and more than a trace of precipitation fell in past 6-hours. For example, a snow depth of 21 inches would be coded as "4/021."

D

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

Water Equivalent of Snow on Ground (933RRR)
(NA LAWRS)

15-52

At designated stations, this group reported in 1800UTC report if average snow depth is 2 inches or more. 933 is the code indicator for water equivalent of snow on ground. RRR represents the water equivalent of snow on the ground reported in tens, units and tenths of inches using 3 digits, e.g., water equivalent of 3.6 inches would be 933036.

D

Cloud Types (8/C_LC_MC_H)
(NA LAWRS)

15-53

This group shall be reported in 3 and 6-hourly reports at designated stations when clouds are observed.

D

Duration of Sunshine (98mmm)
(NA LAWRS)

15-54

At designated stations, this group is reported in the 0800UTC report. 98 is the code group indicator and mmm represents the total minutes of sunshine using the hundreds, tens and units digits, e.g., 96 minutes of sunshine would be coded 98096.

D

Hourly Temperature and Dew Point Ts_nT’T’T’s_nT’_dT’_dT’_d
(NA LAWRS)

15-55

At designated stations, this element is used to report temperature and dew point to the tenth of a degree Celsius. T identifies the group, the s_n the sign of the temperature - coded as 1 if the value is below 0 degrees Celsius and 0 if the value is 0 degrees Celsius or higher. T_aT_aT_a is the temperature in tens, units, and tenths of degrees and T'_aT'_aT'_a is the dew point in tens, units and tenths of degrees, e.g., a temperature of 2.6 and dew point of -1.5 would be coded in the body as 03/M01 and in remarks as T00261015. If the dew point is missing, report the temperature, if the temperature is missing, do not report either.

D

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

6-Hour Maximum Temperature, 1s_nT_xT_xT_x
(NA LAWRS)

15-56

At designated stations, report the maximum temperature in past 6-hours in tenths of degrees Celsius using 3 digits, where the 1 identifies the maximum temperature group, the s_n the sign of the temperature - coded as 1 if the value is below 0 degrees Celsius and 0 if the value is 0 degrees Celsius or higher. The T_xT_xT_x shall be the maximum temperature during the last 6 hours, e.g., a temperature of 1.0 degrees Celsius shall be coded as 10010, a maximum temperature of -2.1 degrees Celsius shall be coded 11021.

D

6 Hour Minimum Temperature, 2s_nT_nT_nT_n (NA LAWRS)

15-57

At designated stations, report the minimum temperature in past 6-hours in tenths of degrees Celsius using 3 digits where the 2 identifies the minimum temperature group, the s_n the sign of the temperature - coded as 1 if the value is below 0 degrees Celsius and 0 if the value is 0 degrees Celsius or higher. The T_nT_nT_n shall be the minimum temperature during the last 6 hours, e.g., a temperature of -2.1 degrees Celsius shall be coded as 21021, a minimum temperature of 
1.2 degrees Celsius shall be coded 20012.

D

24-Hour Maximum and Minimum Temperature, 4s_nT_xT_xT_xs_nT_nT_nT_n
(NA LAWRS)

15-58

At designated stations, reported at midnight (LST); the maximum and minimum temperatures for the day coded in tenths of degrees Celsius using 3 digits where the 4 identifies the maximum/minimum temperature group, the s_n the sign of the temperature - coded as 1 if the value is below 0 degrees Celsius and 0 if the value is 0 degrees Celsius or higher. For example, a 24-hour maximum temperature of 10.0 degrees Celsius and a 24-hour minimum temperature of -1.5 degrees Celsius shall be coded 401001015.

D

Element

Paragraph

Brief Description

METAR

SPECI

Pressure Tendency, 5appp
(NA LAWRS)

15-59

At designated stations, include in 3- and 6-hourly observations where the 5 identifies the pressure tendency group, the a represents the character of pressure change over the past 3 hours, and ppp is the change in pressure in the past 3 hours. the ppp shall be coded based on the absolute value of the change of either the station pressure or the altimeter in the past 3 hours coded in tenths of hectopascals and using the tens, units, and tenths digits, e.g., a steady increase of 3.2 hectopascals in the past 3 hours would be coded 52032.

D

Sensor Status Indicators

15-60

At designated stations: When automated stations are equipped with a precipitation identifier and that sensor is not working, the remark PWINO is included. When the tipping bucket rain guage is not operating at an automated station equipped with the device, PNO is included in remarks. When automated stations are equipped with a Freezing Rain Sensor and it is not working, the remark FZRANO is included. When automated stations are equipped with a lightning detection system and that sensor is not working, the remark TSNO is included. At an automated station, when the secondary visibility sensor is not working, VISNO_(LOC) is included, and when the cloud height indicator is not working CHINO_(LOC) is included.

D

Maintenance Indicator

15-61

A maintenance indicator sign, $, is included when an automated system detects that maintenance is needed on the system.

D

D