AVIATION ROUTING WEATHER REPORT (METAR)

ICAO Aviation Weather
Report
METAR/SPECI
Code Format

Index

General Format of the METAR/SPECI Code
International Code Groups
United States Code Groups
Additional Data and Coding Missing Data Groups

General Format of the METAR/SPECI Code

METAR contains a report of wind, visibility, runway visual range, present weather, sky condition, temperature, dew point, and altimeter setting collectively referred to as "the body of the report." In addition, coded and/or plain language information which elaborates on data in the body of the report may be appended to the METAR. The contents of the remarks will vary according to the type of weather station. At designated stations, the METAR may be abridged to include one or more of the above elements.

The METAR/SPECI code format has two major sections: the Body, consisting of a maximum of 11 groups, and the Remarks, consisting of 2 categories. Together, the body and remarks make up the complete METAR/SPECI.

The groups of the METAR code format contain a non-uniform number of characters. When an element or phenomenon does not occur, the corresponding group, or the extension of a group, is omitted from a particular report. The groups enclosed in brackets are used in accordance with regional or national decisions.

The International Format of the METAR/SPECI Code

The following is the international format of the used by most countries. Each group provides a link to further details concerning observing and coding standards of the element.

{ METAR
or
SPECI

Message
type
_CCCC
Location
identifier
_GGggZ
Date-
time
group
_dddff(f)Gfmfm
Wind group
_( KMH or
KT or
MPS
)
dn dndnVdxdxdx
Variable
wind
group
_{ VVVVDv_Vx VxVxVxDv
or
CAVOK

Visibility group
_{ RDR DR/VRVRVRVRI
or
RDRDR/VRVRVR VRVVRVRVRVRi

Runway Visual Range group
_w'w'(ww)
Present
weather
group
_ { NsNsNs hshshs
or
VVhs hshs
or
SKC

Cloud groups
_T'T'/T'dT'd
Temperature/
Dew Point
groups
_Q PHPHPHPH
Sea-level
Pressure
group
_REw'w'
Recent
Weather
group
_{ WS_TKOF_RWY DRDR
and/or
WS_LDG_RWYDRDR

Takeoff and
Landing Conditions groups

United States Format of the METAR/SPECI Code

The format below is used by the United States and contains the modifications relating to the exceptions requested by the United States. Most exceptions deal with the units used to report certain weather elements. Each group provides a link to further details concerning observing and coding standards of the element.

{ METAR
or
SPECI

Message
type
_CCCC
Location
identifier
_YYGGggZ_
Date-
time
group
{ COR
or
AUTO

Corrected or
Automated Ob
AUTO omitted
when observer logs on
_dddff(f)Gfm fmKT
Wind
group
_dndn dnVdxdxdx
Variable wind
group
_VVVVVSM
Visibility
group
_{ RDR DR/VRVRVRVR FT
or
RDNDN/VNVN VN VNVVXVXVX VXFT

Runway Visual Range group
_w'w'
Present
Weather
group
_{ NsNsNshs hshs
or
VVhshs hs
or
SKC/CLR

Sky Condition
group
_T'T'/T'dT'd
Temperature/
Dew Point
groups
_APHPHPHPH
Sea-level Pressure
group
_RMK_(Automated, Manual, Plain Language)_ (Additive Data and Automated Maintenance Indicators)
Remarks Section groups

Additional Data and Coding Missing Data in METAR/SPECI Observations

The underline character "_" indicates a required space between the groups. If a group is not reported, the preceding space is also not reported. In addition to the format given, agencies shall provide for the inclusion of any special Beginning-of-Message, End-of-Message, or End-of-Transmission signals required by their communication system.

The actual content of a METAR or SPECI depends on the observation program at the individual station. At designated station, the 0000, 0600, 1200, and 1800 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) METAR's include additional data specified by the responsible agency and are known as 6-hourly reports. At designated stations, the 0300, 0900, 1500, and 2100 UTC METAR's are known as 3-hourly reports and also contain additional information specified by the responsible agency.

When an element does not occur, or cannot be observed, the corresponding group and preceding space are omitted from that particular report.

Return to First Page Index