3.4 Reading METAR Reports
Key Takeaways
- METAR format: station, date/time (UTC), wind, visibility, weather, clouds, temp/dewpoint, altimeter.
- Cloud heights in METARs are in hundreds of feet AGL — multiply the number by 100.
- A ceiling is the lowest BKN or OVC layer — FEW and SCT are not ceilings.
- Wind direction is from magnetic north; "M" prefix on temperature means minus/negative.
- Practice decoding METARs until it becomes automatic — expect multiple METAR questions on the exam.
Last updated: March 2026
3.4 Reading METAR Reports
METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) is the standardized format for reporting current weather conditions at airports. The Part 107 exam will include METAR excerpts in the test supplement that you must decode to answer questions. This is one of the most challenging topics for candidates without aviation experience.
METAR Format
A typical METAR looks like this:
METAR KORD 121755Z 27009KT 1SM BR OVC003 02/01 A2980 RMK AO2
Let's decode each element:
Element-by-Element Breakdown
| Element | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Report type | METAR | Routine observation (SPECI = special/unscheduled) |
| Station ID | KORD | ICAO identifier (K = contiguous US + airport code) |
| Date/Time | 121755Z | 12th day, 17:55 UTC (Zulu time) |
| Wind | 27009KT | From 270° (west) at 9 knots |
| Visibility | 1SM | 1 statute mile |
| Weather | BR | Mist (brouillard in French) |
| Cloud cover | OVC003 | Overcast at 300 feet AGL |
| Temperature/Dew point | 02/01 | Temperature 2°C, dew point 1°C |
| Altimeter | A2980 | Altimeter setting 29.80" Hg |
| Remarks | RMK AO2 | Automated station with precipitation sensor |
Wind Group Decoding
The wind group format is: dddssKT or dddssGggKT
- ddd = direction in degrees (magnetic north), rounded to nearest 10°
- ss = sustained speed in knots
- G = gust indicator
- gg = gust speed in knots
- KT = knots
Examples:
| Wind Group | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 18010KT | From 180° (south) at 10 knots |
| 27015G25KT | From 270° at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots |
| VRB05KT | Variable direction at 5 knots |
| 00000KT | Calm (no wind) |
| 33010KT 280V020 | From 330° at 10 kts, direction variable between 280° and 020° |
Visibility Decoding
| Visibility | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 10SM | 10 statute miles (often considered "unlimited") |
| 5SM | 5 statute miles |
| 3SM | 3 statute miles (minimum for Part 107) |
| 1 1/2SM | 1.5 statute miles |
| 1/2SM | 0.5 statute miles |
| 1/4SM | 0.25 statute miles |
Weather Phenomena Codes
| Code | Meaning | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| RA | Rain | SN | Snow |
| DZ | Drizzle | BR | Mist |
| FG | Fog | HZ | Haze |
| FU | Smoke | TS | Thunderstorm |
| SH | Showers | GR | Hail |
| FC | Funnel cloud/tornado | SQ | Squall |
Intensity prefixes:
- - (minus) = light (e.g., -RA = light rain)
- No prefix = moderate
- + (plus) = heavy (e.g., +RA = heavy rain)
- VC = in the vicinity (5-10 SM from airport)
Cloud Cover Decoding
Format: CCChhhh
- CCC = coverage (FEW, SCT, BKN, OVC)
- hhhh = height in hundreds of feet AGL (multiply by 100)
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FEW020 | Few clouds at 2,000 ft AGL |
| SCT045 | Scattered clouds at 4,500 ft AGL |
| BKN010 | Broken clouds at 1,000 ft AGL (this IS a ceiling) |
| OVC003 | Overcast at 300 ft AGL (this IS a ceiling) |
| CLR | No clouds below 12,000 ft (automated station) |
| SKC | Sky clear (manual observation) |
Temperature and Altimeter
Temperature/Dew Point: Reported in Celsius, separated by a slash
- 15/10 = Temperature 15°C, dew point 10°C (spread of 5°C)
- M03/M05 = Temperature -3°C, dew point -5°C (M = minus/negative)
Altimeter Setting: Begins with "A" followed by 4 digits
- A2992 = 29.92" Hg (standard atmosphere)
- A3010 = 30.10" Hg (higher than standard — altimeter reads higher)
- A2950 = 29.50" Hg (lower than standard — altimeter reads lower)
Practice METAR Decoding
METAR KJFK 151853Z 32015G28KT 10SM FEW050 SCT250 24/09 A3001 RMK AO2
Decoded:
- Station: JFK airport
- Date/Time: 15th day, 18:53 UTC
- Wind: From 320° (northwest) at 15 knots, gusting to 28 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Clouds: Few at 5,000 ft AGL, scattered at 25,000 ft AGL
- Ceiling: None (no BKN or OVC layer)
- Temperature: 24°C, dew point 9°C (spread of 15°C = low humidity)
- Altimeter: 30.01" Hg (slightly above standard)
- Remarks: Automated station with precipitation sensor
Test Your Knowledge
In the METAR "KORD 121755Z 27009KT 1SM BR OVC003 02/01 A2980," what is the cloud ceiling?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
In a METAR, "27015G25KT" means:
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Based on the METAR "KJFK 151853Z 32015G28KT 10SM FEW050 SCT250 24/09 A3001," can a Part 107 drone legally operate?
A
B
C
D