Elements of a METAR
The very first thing listed in a routine METAR.
What is the station identifier?
This term describes a sudden change in wind direction of 45 degrees or more within 15 minutes, accompanied by sustained winds of at least 10 knots.
What is a wind shift?
This term describes when the base of clouds covering more than half the sky forms or changes height across key thresholds like 3,000, 1,500, 1,000, or 500 feet.
What is a ceiling change?
FU
What is smoke/How is smoke coded in a METAR?
It differs from the altimeter setting and is reported in the remarks section to the nearest 10th of a mb and decoded by adding a ‘9’ or ‘10’ to front of 3 digits.
What is SLP or sea level pressure?
A METAR is a measurement or evaluation of meteorological _________ that describe the state of the atmosphere at the surface locations...
What is elements?
Calm winds are coded __________.
What is 00000KT.
This type of observation is issued when significant weather changes occur between routine reports, such as a sudden drop in visibility or a new cloud layer forming below 1,000 feet.
What is a SPECI (Special Weather Report)?
This indicates that the weather is within 5-10 miles of the airfield.
What is "VC"?
Often confused with "AUTO" this code in the remarks section indicates the system has a precipitation type discriminator
What is "A02"?
This element means the report is fully automated and there was no human intervention.
What is AUTO?
If wind sensors fail, this method called the Beaufort scale is used to estimate wind speed and direction.
What is a backup way to estimate wind when sensors are down?
This term refers to clouds that appear to be raining, but the precipitation evaporates before reaching the ground.
What is virga?
In this case, these letters don't mean "be quiet" but rather that the precipitation is periodic and variable.
What is "SH"?
This sign at the end of the METAR indicates maintenance is required NOT that the weather observers would like to get paid.
What is "$"?
Elements having the greatest rate of change must be evaluated _________.
What is last.
Winds ≤ 6 knots that change direction are often coded this way
What is VRB?
This type of cloud, often towering and associated with thunderstorms, must be reported when observed within 10 statute miles of the station.
What is a cumulonimbus cloud?
Not a highly rated football club, but an indication that there is a tornado or waterspout.
What is "+FC"?
Direction, speed, and time of the maximum 3-second wind, if greater than 25 knots.
What is the peak wind/How is the peak wind reported?
Weather elements a and b are transmitted..
What is long-line.
This letter in the wind report implies that the wind varies by more than 10 knots between peaks and lulls over the past 10 minutes.
What is "G"?
This type of visibility is reported when the view from the tower differs significantly from what's seen at the surface.
What is a difference between tower visibility and surface visibility?
+TSSN
What is heavy thundersnow/how is heavy thundersnow coded in a METAR?
The code for more than 6 lightning flashes per minute in cloud and cloud to ground located 2 miles to the northwest.
What is "CONS LTGICCG 2 NW"?