How to read METARs
METARs
METARs are a snapshot in time, a simple observation of what the weather was doing at a particular moment. They are an excellent tool to tell you if the weather is okay right now, but offer no forecast into the future.
REMEMBER:
- They are direct observations of what is happening at and over top of the observation station at the field; the moment the data is collected.
- They are typically issued every hour (usually refreshed 55 minutes past the hour) unless there are rapidly changing conditions, and then they may be issued more frequently.
Example 1 Decoded:
KSRQ 180253Z 06011KT 10SM CLR 23/21 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP175 T02330206
| METAR for: | KSRQ (Sarasota-Bradenton I, FL, US) |
| Text: | KSRQ 180253Z 06011KT 10SM CLR 23/21 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP175 T02330206 |
| Temperature: | 23.3°C ( 74°F) |
| Dewpoint: | 20.6°C ( 69°F) [RH = 85%] |
| Pressure (altimeter): | 30.05 inches Hg (1017.7 mb) [Sea level pressure: 1017.5 mb] |
| Winds: | from the ENE (60 degrees) at 13 MPH (11 knots; 5.7 m/s) |
| Visibility: | 10 or more sm (16+ km) |
| Ceiling: | at least 12,000 feet AGL |
| Clouds: | sky clear below 12,000 feet AGL |
Example 2 Decoded:
KMIA 180253Z 04004KT 10SM FEW025 BKN070 OVC120 28/23 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP166 T02830233 $
| METAR for: | KMIA (Miami Intl, FL, US) |
| Text: | KMIA 180253Z 04004KT 10SM FEW025 BKN070 OVC120 28/23 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP166 T02830233 $ |
| Temperature: | 28.3°C ( 83°F) |
| Dewpoint: | 23.3°C ( 74°F) [RH = 74%] |
| Pressure (altimeter): | 30.02 inches Hg (1016.7 mb) [Sea level pressure: 1016.6 mb] |
| Winds: | from the NE (40 degrees) at 5 MPH (4 knots; 2.1 m/s) |
| Visibility: | 10 or more sm (16+ km) |
| Ceiling: | 7000 feet AGL |
| Clouds: | few clouds at 2500 feet AGL, broken clouds at 7000 feet AGL, overcast cloud deck at 12000 feet AGL |
| QC Flag: | SOME DATA ABOVE MAY BE INACCURATE!!!”$” is an indication the sensor requires maintenance. |