Elements of a METAR
The very first thing listed in a routine METAR.
What is the station identifier?
Blowing FROM, in degrees, relative to TRUE north.
How is the wind direction reported in a METAR?
The minimum sky cover that constitutes a ceiling.
What is 5/8, broken, or BKN?
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?
Even though a routine METAR is considered valid at the top of the hour, they are usually issued at this time.
What is a few minutes before the top of the hour?
5 zeros.
How is a calm wind reported?
With some exceptions, it is the threshold where a visibility restriction must be reported
What is less than 7 statute miles?
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?
Wind direction changes by ≥ 45 degrees in less than 15 minutes.
When would a SPECIAL METAR be issued for winds?
This letter indicates that the runway visual range is greater than the highest reportable value.
What is "P"?
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 "$"?
-4 hours for daylight time (summer) and -5 hours for standard time (winter)
What is the difference between Zulu (UTC, GMT) time and eastern time?
Winds ≤ 6 knots that change direction are often coded this way
What is VRB?
This replaces cloud cover and heights in a METAR when the sky is obstructed from view.
What is vertical visibility or VV?
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?
The final element before "RMK" in a METAR
What is the altimeter setting?
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"?
If higher than the surface visibility, it will be reported in the remarks. If lower that the surface visibility, it will be in the body of the METAR.
What is tower 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"?