The hourly surface observations (SA) are referred to as METAR

IRFP-01

Metro Review

2. The hourly surface observations (SA) are referred to as METAR

(Aviation Routine Weather Report), and the airport terminal

forecast are referred to as TAF (Aerodrome Forecast). Pilots will

notice some differences in the sequence in which information is

presented, formatted (e.g., winds and cloud cover), and the

abbreviations used.

3. With a little practice, pilots will find it easy to understand the new

code and will find the additional information in the forecasts (TAF)

very useful.

a. Those who use DUATs (Direct User Access Terminal) or

commercially provided weather services will find that all have

included a plain language interpreter just as before

b. In flight service briefings, the sequence of information may be

different, and the temperature and dew point will be in degrees

Celsius

NOTE: When METAR data is missing from the body of the

report (e.g., dew point), it is simply omitted; the user must

know the sequence to recognize this. Some exceptions apply

in remarks such as RVRNO, or SLPNO, when RVR or SLP are

normally reported but not currently available.

4. To help remember the sequence, think of 3 W's at the beginning --

Where, When, and Wind. This works for both METAR and TAF

a. Where

(1) KPIT is the ICAO station identifier

(a) 3-letter identifiers are preceded by a “K” for the

contiguous United States

(b) Alaska and Hawaii use 4-letter identifiers, beginning

with “PA” and “PH,” respectively

(c) Changes are planned to incorporate alphabetic

identifiers for those weather reporting stations where

numbers and letters are now used (e.g., W10 to

KHEF)

b. When

(1) 201955Z is the 20th day of the month

(2) 201955Z at 1955Z time

(8-97) Original

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