When it comes to flying, situational awareness starts on the ground—and understanding the METAR is a critical part of a pilot’s preflight preparation. METARs are coded weather reports that provide real-time information on conditions at specific airports. While they may look complex at first, decoding them becomes second nature with practice.
Let’s break it down.
What is a METAR?
METAR stands for Meteorological Aerodrome Report. It is a standardized aviation weather report issued hourly (or half-hourly at some airports) and gives current weather conditions at an airport.
You may also encounter SPECI reports—these are unscheduled METARs issued when there’s a significant change in weather conditions.
📌 Sample METAR
1. STATION IDENTIFIER (VABB)
This is the ICAO airport code.
VABB = Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja International Airport, Mumbai.
2. DATE AND TIME (061030Z)
- 06 = Day of the month
- 1030Z = Time in UTC (Zulu time), meaning 10:30 UTC on the 6th
3. WIND INFORMATION (27008KT)
- Wind from 270° (west)
- At 08 knots
If it were variable, it might say VRB03KT . If gusting, 27008G18KT
4. VISIBILITY (6000)
Visibility is 6,000 meters (6 km). If visibility is over 10 km, you’ll see 9999 .
5. CLOUD COVER
FEW020 SCT030 BKN100
- FEW020: Few clouds at 2,000 ft
- SCT030: Scattered clouds at 3,000 ft
- BKN100: Broken clouds at 10,000 ft
Cloud layers (from clearest to most overcast):
SKC/CAVOK → FEW → SCT → BKN → OVC
6. TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT (33/26)
- Temperature = 33°C
- Dew Point = 26°C
A smaller gap between temp and dew point indicates high humidity and potential for fog or clouds.
7. PRESSURE (1007)
QNH (sea-level pressure) is 1007 hPa
Pilots use this to set their altimeter correctly.
8. RECENT WEATHER OR TRENDS (NOSIG)
- NOSIG = No significant change expected in the next 2 hours.
You might also see: - BECMG = Becoming
- TEMPO = Temporary changes
- SHRA = Showers of Rain
- TSRA = Thunderstorms with Rain
Decoded METAR:
At 10:30 UTC on the 6th, Mumbai (VABB) reported winds from the west at 8 knots, visibility 6 km, a few clouds at 2,000 ft, scattered at 3,000 ft, broken at 10,000 ft. Temperature was 33°C, dew point 26°C, QNH 1007 hPa, and no significant weather changes expected.
Tips for Student Pilots
- Use aviation weather apps to auto-decode but always verify manually
- Practice decoding METARs during your preflight planning
- Combine METARs with TAFs for forecast insights
Understanding METARs is a foundational skill in aviation meteorology. Whether you’re flying circuits or preparing for a cross-country, interpreting real-time weather conditions helps you make safer decisions and impress your instructors!
Want to master METARs and aviation weather in detail?
Join our DGCA Ground Classes at Eazy Pilot—complete with live decoding practice, mock exams, and in-house simulator weather scenarios.
Want more aviation insights like this? Subscribe to our blog or follow us on Instagram @eazypilotindia for weekly content on flight training, career tips, and aviation news.