METARs
1. METAR: METAR KLAX 201653Z 24005KT 10SM FEW020 18/12 A3005
Question: Decode the wind in this METAR.
What is wind from 240 degrees at 5 knots?
TAF: TAF KATL 231130Z 2312/2418 30005KT P6SM SKC
Question: What are the forecast winds at the beginning of the period?
Answer: What is 300 degrees at 5 knots?
What does the symbol “FG” represent?
Answer: What is fog?
In a METAR timestamp like 231953Z, what does 23 represent?
Answer: What is the 23rd day of the month?
KJAX 221850Z 31022G32KT 4SM HZ SCT020
Would strong gusts be a concern for landing?
What is yes, because gusts over 30 knots may exceed limits or cause instability?
METAR KDAL 191751Z 18012KT 6SM HZ SCT030 30/20 A2998
Question: What is the reported visibility?
What is 6 statute miles?
TAF: TAF KSFO 241140Z 2412/2512 24015KT 5SM BR SCT008
Question: What does BR indicate?
Answer: What is mist?
What does “+” in front of a weather code mean (example: +RA)?
Answer: What is heavy intensity?
In a TAF period shown as “2412/2518,” what does this time span mean?
Answer: What is valid from 1200Z on the 24th to 1800Z on the 25th?
TAF KHSV 231720Z 2318/2418 20012KT P6SM BKN025 TEMPO 2322/2402 2SM TSRA
Is a VFR flight advisable during the TEMPO period?
Answer: What is no, because thunderstorms and 2SM visibility fall below VFR conditions?
METAR KDEN 211855Z 34020G30KT 3SM -SN BKN015 M02/M05 A2972
Question: What is the temperature and dewpoint?
Answer: What is minus 2°C and minus 5°C?
TAF:
TAF KSEA 251720Z 2518/2618 TEMPO 2518/2522 3SM -RA BKN015
Question: What does “TEMPO 2518/2522” mean?
What is temporarily expected conditions between 1800Z and 2200Z on the 25th?
What does “BR” stand for in aviation weather codes?
Answer: What is mist?
How long does a TEMPO group typically last?
Answer: What is less than one hour at a time, but no more than half the period indicated?
KRNO 241955Z 03010KT 1SM SN OVC007 M03/M05
Is takeoff safe for a VFR pilot?
Answer: What is no, because visibility of 1SM and 700-foot ceilings are below VFR minimums?
4. METAR: METAR KORD 221951Z 02012KT 1/4SM FG OVC002 A3010
Question: What is causing the low visibility?
Answer: What is fog?
TAF:
TAF KPHX 261720Z 2618/2718 FM262000 19012KT P6SM SCT080 BKN120
Question: What does FM262000 indicate?
What is a rapid change beginning at 2000Z on the 26th?
In cloud codes, what does “CB” indicate?
Answer: What is cumulonimbus?
What does the change group BECMG mean regarding timing?
Answer: What is gradual change expected within the listed time window?
TAF KMSP 251740Z 2518/2618 FM252300 02018G26KT 3SM -SN OVC020
What operational concern does the forecasted wind present?
Answer: What is strong and gusty crosswinds?
METAR:
METAR KMIA 231953Z 09018G26KT 2SM +RA BR BKN015 OVC030CB WS015/11045KT
Question: Identify the major flight hazard reported.
Answer: What is low-level wind shear at 1,500 feet?
TAF KORD 281720Z 2818/2924 PROB30 2900/2904 1SM TSRA BKN009CB
Question: What does “PROB30 2900/2904 1SM TSRA” mean?
Answer: What is a 30% probability of 1 mile visibility with thunderstorms and rain from 0000Z to 0400Z on the 29th?
What does “VV003” indicate?
What is vertical visibility of 300 feet?
In a TAF, what is the maximum validity period in the U.S. unless otherwise noted?
Answer: What is 24 to 30 hours?
KMCI 261853Z 35030KT 1/2SM +SN BLSN OVC005
What two hazards make this a no-go situation for most operations?
Answer: What is heavy snow and extremely low visibility?