METAR: Aviation Routine Weather Report
Surface observation of current conditions at an airport
TAF: Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Forecast of conditions within 5SM of an airport, issued 4 times/day at 0000Z, 0600Z, 1200Z, and 1800Z.
FA: Area Forecast
Similar to a TAF, but covering an area of several states
(Area forecast are 12hr aviation forecasts plus a 6hour categorical outlook prepared 3 times/day)
Abbreviation List:
P: used with visibility distance to represent greater than
+: heavy intensity or well developed
–: light intensity
VC: in the vicinity
DR: drifting (dust, sand, or snow)
BL: blowing
SH: showers
TS: thunderstorm
FZ: freezing (fog, drizzle, or rain)
DZ: drizzle
RA: rain
SN: snow
GR: hail
BR: mist (visibility greater than 5/8 SM)
FG: fog (visibility less than 5/8 SM)
FU: smoke
HZ: haze
Decoding METAR:
KGNV 151613Z 17004KT 10SM SCT017 BKN024 27/23 A3014 RMK AO2
Reporting Station – Gainesville Airport
Date and Time of Origin – 15th of the month at 16:13 Zulu
Wind – from 170 degrees (true) at 4 knots
Visibility – 10 statute miles
Sky Condition – scattered at 1,700 AGL and broken at 2,400 AGL
Temperature & dew point – shown in degrees Celsius (27 temp / 23 dew)
Altimeter Setting – usually shown in inches of m=Mercury (3014)
Remark – readings came from an automated station
Decoding TAFs:
KGNV 151313Z 1514/1612 19005KT P6SM VCSH SCT020 BKN100 BKN200 TEMPO 1514/1516 2SM SHRA BKN020 FM151600 24006KT P6SM VCTS SCT030CB SCT100 TEMPO 1516/1520 BKN030 FM152000 24007KT P6SM VCTS SCT035CB BKN080 BKN250 TEMPO 1520/1524 2SM TSRA BKN025CB FM160200 VRB03KT P6SM SCT040 BKN080 OVC250 FM160600 00000KT 6SM BR SCT080 BKN250 TAF from Gaineseville, Florida Created on the 15th at 1313 Zulu time Valid from 1400Z on the 15th, until 1200Z on the 16th Winds out of 190 at 5 knots Visibility greater than 6 statute miles Shower in the vicinity Scattered clouds at 2000ft AGL Broken clouds at 10,000 AGL Broken clouds at 20,000 AGL A temporary change is forecast to occur between 14000Z and 1600Z (on the 15th) Visibility is expected to drop to two statute miles in rain showers with broken clouds at 2000ft AGL Beginning at 1600Z Winds are forecast to be out 240 at 6 knots Visibility greater than 6 statute miles Thunderstorms in the vicinity Scattered cumulonimbus clouds at 3000ft AGL Scattered clouds at 10,000ft AGL Temporarily between 1600Z and 2000Z Broken clouds are expected at 3000ft AGL Starting at 2000Z Winds out of 240 at 7 knots Visibility greater than 6 statute miles Thunderstorms in the vicinity Scattered cumulonimbus at 3500 feet AGL Broken clouds at 8000ft AGL Broken clouds at 25,000ft AGL Temporarily between 2000Z and 2400Z Visibility 2 statute miles Thunderstorms and rain Borken cumulonimbus clouds at 2500ft AGL Starting 0200Z on the 16th Variable winds at 3 knots Visibility is greater than 6 statute miles Scattered clouds at 4000ft AGL Broken clouds at 8000ft AGL Overcast clouds at 25,000ft AGL Starting 0600Z on the 16th Wind calm Visibility greater than 6 statute miles in mist Scattered clouds at 800ft AGL Broken clouds at 25,000ft AGL Another Example of TAF: FM2200 18007KT P6SM BKN040 PROB30 0003 3SM TSRA OVC030CB FM0600 VRB05KT P6SM VCTS BKN060CB= 2200Z there is a 30% probability at 00Z 03Z of thunderstorm and rain with a visibility is forecast to drop at 3 statute miles with an overcast of cumulonimbus at 3000ft AGL 0600Z variable winds at 5 knots with visibility greater than 6 miles is expected there may be thunderstorms in the vicinity with broken layer of cumulonimbus at 6000ft AGL The = sign indicates the end of the TAF