FSAA PilotAviation Academy
Video Lessons
Meteorology

METAR Decoder

Reading a METAR quickly and correctly is examined in the Meteorology paper, and it is the first thing a pilot checks before every flight.

Try an example

StationVABB
WindFrom 250° true at 18 kt, gusting 28 kt
Visibility2500 m
Ceiling8,000 ft
WeatherHeavy thunderstorm with rain
Temp / dew point26 / 25 °C
Humidity94%
QNH1002 hPa

Temperature and dew point are within 1 °C: the air is nearly saturated, so expect low cloud, mist or fog.

Group by group

  1. METAR
    Report typeRoutine weather report
  2. VABB
    StationICAO airport code VABB
  3. 150530Z
    ObservedDay 15 of the month at 05:30 UTC (11:00 IST)
  4. 25018G28KT
    WindFrom 250° true at 18 kt, gusting 28 kt
  5. 2500
    Visibility2500 m
  6. +TSRA
    WeatherHeavy thunderstorm with rain
  7. SCT008
    CloudScattered (3–4 oktas) at 800 ft above the aerodrome
  8. FEW015CB
    CloudFew (1–2 oktas) at 1,500 ft above the aerodrome, cumulonimbus (thunderstorm cloud)
  9. OVC080
    CloudOvercast (8 oktas) at 8,000 ft above the aerodrome
  10. 26/25
    Temperature / dew point26 °C / 25 °C, spread 1 °C
  11. Q1002
    QNH1002 hPa (set this on the altimeter to read altitude above mean sea level)
  12. TEMPO
    Trend · Trend: temporarilyTemporarily (the groups that follow apply to this change)
  13. 1500
    Visibility · Trend: temporarily1500 m
  14. TSRA
    Weather · Trend: temporarilyModerate thunderstorm with rain

How to use it

  1. Paste a METAR, or start with one of the examples.
  2. The summary shows wind, visibility, ceiling, temperature, humidity and QNH at a glance.
  3. Below it, every group in the report is explained one by one, including trend groups.

For learning and exam practice only. Not for operational flight planning: always use your aircraft’s flight manual, official charts and current weather.