METAR Decoder
Paste any METAR and get a plain-English breakdown of every field. Instantly understand wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter, and weather phenomena.
EXAMPLES:
How to read a METAR
A METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) is a standardized format for reporting current weather conditions at an airport. Issued every 20–60 minutes, METARs are the primary weather source for pilots during preflight planning.
METAR field order
Station ID
KSEA
4-letter ICAO airport identifier
Date/Time
291553Z
Day 29, 15:53 UTC
Wind
32008KT
320° at 8 knots
Visibility
10SM
10 statute miles
Weather
-RA
Light rain
Sky
BKN040
Broken clouds at 4,000 ft AGL
Temp/Dew
15/07
15°C temp, 7°C dewpoint
Altimeter
A2992
29.92 inHg
Remarks
RMK AO2
Automated station with precip sensor
Flight categories
VFRCeiling > 3,000 ft and visibility > 5 SMVisual flight permitted
MVFRCeiling 1,000–3,000 ft or visibility 3–5 SMMarginal visual conditions
IFRCeiling 500–999 ft or visibility 1–3 SMInstrument conditions
LIFRCeiling < 500 ft or visibility < 1 SMLow instrument conditions
Common weather phenomena codes
RARain
SNSnow
DZDrizzle
FGFog
BRMist
HZHaze
TSThunderstorm
GRHail
PLIce pellets
FZRAFreezing rain
FZDZFreezing drizzle
BLSNBlowing snow
DRSNDrifting snow
SHShowers
-Light intensity
+Heavy intensity
VCIn vicinity (5–10 SM)
FZFreezing