Weather Phenomena
Intensity:
- Light(moderate) Moderate+ HeavyVC In vicinity
Precipitation:
RA RainSN SnowDZ DrizzleGR HailSH ShowersTS Thunderstorm
Obscuration:
BR MistFG FogHZ HazeFU Smoke
Cloud Coverage
SKC / CLRSky clear (0/8)
FEWFew (1-2/8)
SCTScattered (3-4/8)
BKNBroken (5-7/8)
OVCOvercast (8/8)
CB = Cumulonimbus
TCU = Towering Cumulus
Flight Categories
VFRVisual Flight Rules
Ceiling >3000 ft and visibility >5 SM
MVFRMarginal VFR
Ceiling 1000-3000 ft or visibility 3-5 SM
IFRInstrument Flight Rules
Ceiling 500-1000 ft or visibility 1-3 SM
LIFRLow IFR
Ceiling <500 ft or visibility <1 SM
METAR Structure
SUMU 011200Z 18015G25KT 9999 -RA FEW030 22/15 Q1018
SUMU - ICAO Code
011200Z - Day and time UTC
18015G25KT - Wind (dir/speed/gusts)
9999 - Visibility (meters)
-RA - Phenomena
FEW030 - Clouds (type/height)
22/15 - Temp/Dew (°C)
Q1018 - QNH (hPa)
Additional resources
This guide provides a quick reference to the most common codes used in METAR reports and TAF forecasts. For more detailed information, consult official ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) publications.