How to Read a METAR Report

Introduction

At airports and a few other places around the world, weather observations are taken and transmitted hourly, or whenever the weather changes in a way that's significant for aviation. These weather reports are of obvious interest to lots of people besides pilots. As a weather forecaster, your first rule is to know what the weather is NOW, before trying to predict it.

This module is an introduction to reading hourly weather observations, which are in METAR format. In addition to the raw METAR reports, you will also learn how to read decoded METAR reports available through many weather programs. I will also give you advice on when to use the raw reports and when to use decoded reports.

Learning Objectives

To be able to read the required elements of a METAR report.
To be able to read the important remarks of a METAR report.
To be able to read the decoded forms of a METAR report.
To be able to translate from Celsius to Fahrenheit and back.

Table Of Contents

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