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A Beginner's Guide to Reading Airport Weather Reports

June 22, 2026 · The Clime Team
A Beginner's Guide to Reading Airport Weather Reports

Understanding airport weather reports is essential for first-time flyers to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. The primary sources of this information are METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) and TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) reports.

What Are METAR and TAF Reports?

METAR reports provide current weather observations at airports, typically issued every hour. They include details such as wind speed and direction, visibility, cloud cover, temperature, dew point, and barometric pressure. TAF reports, on the other hand, offer weather forecasts for airports, usually covering a 24-hour period and updated four times daily. (faa.gov)

Decoding a METAR Report

A standard METAR report follows a specific format:

  1. Station Identifier: A four-letter ICAO code representing the airport (e.g., KJFK for John F. Kennedy International Airport).

  2. Date and Time: The day of the month and the time of observation in UTC (e.g., 151651Z means the 15th day at 16:51 UTC).

  3. Wind Information: Direction in degrees true, speed in knots, and gusts if applicable (e.g., 18012G20KT means wind from 180° at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots).

  4. Visibility: Measured in statute miles (e.g., 10SM means 10 statute miles).

  5. Weather Phenomena: Symbols indicating weather conditions like rain, snow, or fog (e.g., -RA for light rain).

  6. Cloud Cover: Height in hundreds of feet above ground level and coverage (e.g., BKN022 means broken clouds at 2,200 feet).

  7. Temperature and Dew Point: In degrees Celsius (e.g., 22/16 means temperature 22°C, dew point 16°C).

  8. Altimeter Setting: Pressure in inches of mercury (e.g., A2992 means 29.92 inches of mercury).

Understanding a TAF Report

TAF reports are structured to provide forecasted weather conditions:

  1. Type of Report: TAF for routine forecasts or TAF AMD for amended forecasts.

  2. Station Identifier: Same as in METAR reports.

  3. Date and Time of Origin: Date and time in UTC when the forecast was issued.

  4. Valid Period: Start and end times of the forecast period.

  5. Forecasted Conditions: Wind, visibility, weather phenomena, and cloud cover expected during the forecast period.

Practical Example

Consider the following METAR report:

METAR KJFK 151651Z 18012G20KT 10SM -RA FEW025 SCT080 BKN200 22/16 A2992 RMK AO2

  • KJFK: John F. Kennedy International Airport.

  • 151651Z: 15th day at 16:51 UTC.

  • 18012G20KT: Wind from 180° at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots.

  • 10SM: Visibility of 10 statute miles.

  • -RA: Light rain.

  • FEW025: Few clouds at 2,500 feet.

  • SCT080: Scattered clouds at 8,000 feet.

  • BKN200: Broken clouds at 20,000 feet.

  • 22/16: Temperature 22°C, dew point 16°C.

  • A2992: Altimeter setting of 29.92 inches of mercury.

  • RMK AO2: Automated station with precipitation sensor.

Enhancing Your Understanding with Planes Live

For first-time flyers seeking a more intuitive grasp of airport weather conditions, Planes Live offers real-time weather updates and visualizations tailored for aviation enthusiasts. This platform provides user-friendly interfaces that simplify the interpretation of complex weather data, making it an invaluable tool for both novice and experienced travelers.

Conclusion

While METAR and TAF reports are essential for understanding airport weather conditions, they can be complex for newcomers. Utilizing resources like Planes Live can bridge this gap, offering clear and accessible weather information to enhance your flying experience.

Highlights:

Frequently Asked Questions