FIG 7-1-23

Key to Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) and Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) (Back)

Key to Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) and Aviation
Routine Weather Report (METAR) (Back)

FM091930
TEMPO
0920/0922
PROB30
1004/1007
BECMG
1013/1015

In METAR, ReMarK indicator & remarks. For example: Sea- Level
Pressure in hectoPascals & tenths, as shown: 1004.5 hPa; Temp/dewpoint in tenths C, as shown: temp. 18.2C, dew-point 15.9C
FroM: changes are expected at: 2-digit date, 2-digit hour, and 2-digit
minute beginning time: indicates significant change. Each FM starts on a
new line, indented 5 spaces
TEMPOrary: changes expected for <1 hour and in total, < half of the
period between the 2-digit date and 2-digit hour beginning, and 2-digit
date and 2-digit hour ending time
PROBability and 2-digit percent (30 or 40): probable condition in the
period between the 2-digit date & 2-digit hour beginning time, and the
2-digit date and 2-digit hour ending time
BECoMinG: change expected in the period between the 2-digit date and
2-digit hour beginning time, and the 2-digit date and 2-digit hour ending
time

RMK SLP045
T01820159

Table of Significant Present, Forecast and Recent Weather - Grouped in categories and
used in the order listed below; or as needed in TAF, No Significant Weather.
Qualifiers
Intensity or Proximity
"-" = Light
No sign = Moderate
"+" = Heavy
"VC" = Vicinity, but not at aerodrome. In the US METAR, 5 to 10 SM from the point of observation. In the US
TAF, 5 to 10 SM from the center of the runway complex. Elsewhere, within 8000m.
Descriptor
BC " Patches
MI " Shallow

BL " Blowing
PR " Partial

Weather Phenomena
Precipitation
DZ " Drizzle
IC " Ice Crystals
SN " Snow

GR " Hail
GS " Small Hail/Snow Pellets
PL " Ice Pellets
RA " Rain
SG " Snow Grains
UP " Unknown Precipitation in automated observations

Obscuration
BR " Mist ("5/8SM)
HZ " Haze

DU " Widespread Dust
PY " Spray

Other
DS " Dust Storm
FC " Funnel Cloud
PO " Well developed dust or sand whirls

DR " Drifting
SH " Showers

FG " Fog (<5/8SM)
SA " Sand

FZ " Freezing
TS " Thunderstorm

FU " Smoke
VA " Volcanic Ash

+FC " Tornado or Waterspout
SQ " Squall
SS " Sandstorm

- Explanations in parentheses "()" indicate different worldwide practices.
- Ceiling is not specified; defined as the lowest broken or overcast layer, or the vertical visibility.
- NWS TAFs exclude BECMG groups and temperature forecasts, NWS TAFS do not use PROB in the first 9
hours of a TAF; NWS METARs exclude trend forecasts. US Military TAFs include Turbulence and Icing groups.

7-1-66

Meteorology