When a METAR says CLR, the sky is clear and visibility is good for flight planning.

What might be indicated if a METAR report states "CLR"?

• A. Clear skies
• B. Caution required for flying
• C. Cloudy conditions
• D. Heavy rain expected

Answer: (A)

The phrase "CLR" in a METAR report signifies "clear" and is used to denote that there are no significant clouds observed at the reporting station. This term indicates that the sky is free of any clouds that could obstruct visibility or influence flying conditions. Therefore, it effectively communicates to pilots and other aviation professionals that the weather is favorable with respect to cloud cover, which plays a critical role in flight safety and planning. In this context, "clear skies" suggests optimal conditions for visual flight rules (VFR) operations, where pilots can navigate using ground references and rely on good visibility. Other terms in a METAR report would indicate various weather phenomena that might affect flight operations, but "CLR" specifically emphasizes a lack of significant cloud presence.

CLR in a METAR: what it really signals and why pilots care

If you ever hear a METAR report with CLR in the sky condition field, your first thought should be simple: clear skies. But there’s more to it than a single word. CLR is a compact code that tells pilots a lot about what the sky looks like at the moment of observation and, by extension, what flight conditions might be like. Let’s unpack what CLR means, how it fits into the bigger METAR picture, and why it matters in real-world flying.

What METAR reports tell you, in plain terms

First, a quick refresher. METAR is the regular weather observation for a weather station at an airport. It’s the go-to briefing pilots use to understand current weather conditions and to plan safe departures, en-route decisions, and landings. A METAR includes several chunks: wind, visibility, cloud cover, weather phenomena, temperature and dew point, and altimeter pressure. Each piece gives a snapshot that helps a pilot decide whether to fly VFR (visual flight rules), stay IFR (instrument flight rules), or wait for something better.

Now, what does CLR actually signify?

• CLR stands for clear skies. In METAR language, it means there are no significant clouds observed in the sky layer observed by the station. In practical terms, the sky is essentially cloud-free at the reporting station.

• It is the sky-condition shorthand that pairs with a separate visibility figure. So even though the sky is clear, you still need to pay attention to visibility and other weather elements reported in the METAR (for example, rain, fog, haze, or wind).

• CLR usually implies 0 octas of cloud cover in aviation terms. In other words, there aren’t clouds at levels that would affect visibility or flight in the immediate atmosphere around the station.

A quick decode example

Here’s what a simplified METAR snippet might look like, so you can see where CLR fits in:

KJFK 151753Z 18012KT 10SM CLR 25/14 A2992

• KJFK: station identifier (New York’s JFK)

• 151753Z: observation time (the 15th day of the month at 17:53 Zulu)

• 18012KT: wind from 180 degrees at 12 knots

• 10SM: visibility, 10 statute miles

• CLR: clear skies (no significant clouds)

• 25/14: temperature and dew point (25°C and 14°C)

• A2992: altimeter setting

So when you see CLR, you’re getting a clear-sky flag next to a visibility number. If the visibility is still decent (like 3 miles or more), that’s excellent news for visual flight. If the visibility is low due to fog or mist, you’ll also see weather indicators in the same METAR, like BR (mist) or FG (fog) in the weather section, even if the sky condition says CLR. That’s a good reminder: CLR is about clouds, not every weather element you’ll encounter.

Why CLR matters for flight planning and safety

• Visual flight rules (VFR) comfort. Clear skies are a big green light for VFR operations, especially when the horizon is easy to pick out and the cloud deck is non-existent. Pilots can rely on ground references, and you won’t need to chase cloud bases or rely on instruments for basic navigation.

• Weather briefings and decision points. If you’re threading a route with several airports along the way, CLR can indicate favorable en-route weather for segments that depend on clear visibility. Still, you’ll want to check the whole METAR, not just the word CLR—wind, visibility, and any weather phenomena can change the picture quickly.

• Cross-check with the forecast. CLR now doesn’t guarantee that the sky will stay clear for the entire flight. A May afternoon could start clear, then fog might develop, or a shower could roll in later. That’s where the forecast (TAF) becomes your best friend, helping you anticipate changes and adjust your plan.

• Not a guarantee of perfect weather. Even with CLR, you may encounter other constraints like crosswind limits, runway visibility, or line-of-sight hazards on the ground. Always read the full METAR and related forecast products to get the complete picture.

Where CLR sits in the bigger sky-code family

Meteorology uses a simple code set to convey sky conditions quickly. Here are the common sky-condition codes you’ll see alongside CLR, which help you picture the whole ceiling picture at a glance:

• FEW: a few clouds (1–2 octas)

• SCT: scattered clouds (3–4 octas)

• BKN: broken clouds (5–7 octas)

• OVC: overcast (8 octas)

• SKC or CLR: sky clear, 0 octas

CLR is the clean end of the spectrum—no clouds observed in the reported layer. It’s easy to latch onto, but remember: weather isn’t only about cloud cover. You’ll still see details about visibility, precipitation, fog, and wind that tell you what to expect on the ground and in the air.

So, what about fog, haze, or rain when CLR appears?

• If fog or mist blankets the airspace, you’ll see those phenomena in the present weather section (for example, FG for fog, BR for mist). CLR doesn’t automatically rule them out; it just means there are no significant clouds in the sky layer at the observation moment.

• If it’s raining or snowing, you’ll see a weather symbol like RA (rain) or SN (snow) in the present weather part. In those cases, cloud cover would usually be reported as some level of SCT/BKN/OVC, not CLR. In short: CLR plus active precipitation is unusual, but the weather segment will tell you what’s really happening.

Practical takeaways for pilots and learners

• Read the METAR in layers. Start with the sky condition (CLR, FEW, SCT, BKN, OVC), then check visibility, then scan for any weather phenomena. This helps you build a quick mental image of what the flight deck will face in the next few miles.

• Don’t rely on a single code. CLR is a useful cue, but it’s not the whole story. A clear sky can coexist with other hazards like strong winds or low-level turbulence, especially near fronts or coastal areas.

• Use a reliable reference. When you’re learning or staying current, cross-reference METARs with the Aviation Weather Center, forecaster discussions, and, if you can, a flight planning app that contextualizes METARs with flight rules. These resources bring the numbers to life and translate them into practical actions.

• Practice decoding with real-world snippets. For example, compare a few METARs from different airports on a sunny day with CLR against a day with SCT or BKN skies. Notice how the same visibility can swing decisions depending on cloud cover and weather phenomena.

A few quick tips to read METARs faster

• Location first, then time. You’ll get a sense of the local climate and typical patterns by scanning the station ID and observation hour.

• Sky condition at a glance. If you see CLR or SKC, you know you’re looking at an open sky—ready-made for VFR clarity.

• Look for the weather punchline. The weather phenomena (RA, BR, FG, SH, TS) in the METAR tells you what else is happening outside the clear sky box.

• Cross-check with the forecast. TAFs (the forecast equivalents for METARs) are designed to tell you what to expect in the next 1 to 6 hours. A CLR now plus a deteriorating forecast is a signal to be prepared for a caveat later.

A note on “why this matters” in everyday aviation life

Meteorology isn’t just about numbers—it's about safety and confidence in the cockpit. Clear skies feel familiar, almost comforting, but aviation weather is a living system. The moment you interpret CLR correctly, you can calibrate your expectations and plan accordingly. You’ll know when it’s time to lean into VFR planning and when it’s prudent to check for a changing ceiling or evolving visibility. That clarity—that readiness—makes a real difference when you’re taxiing toward a runway, lining up to take off, or choosing a safe approach in changing light.

Where to keep learning and confirming

If you want to deepen your understanding of METARs and wind up with a practical intuition for codes like CLR, a few reliable sources can help:

• NOAA’s Aviation Weather Center: a go-to for METARs, TAFs, and weather maps with explanations suited for pilots and students alike.

• FAA AIM (Aeronautical Information Manual): covers the why and how behind weather reports and aviation decision-making.

• SkyVector or ForeFlight: flight-planning tools that present METARs in user-friendly formats and integrate forecasts for a fuller picture.

• Local training airports or clubs: hands-on sessions and live briefings can make these codes click in real-life contexts.

Wrapping it up: CLR is a helpful shorthand, not a guarantee

In the end, CLR is a straightforward indicator: the sky is clear of significant clouds at the reporting station. It’s a strong signal for favorable visual planning, but it’s not the whole weather story. Always read the surrounding METAR elements—visibility, weather phenomena, wind, and the forecast—to make sound, safe decisions. And when you’re reading about weather, you’re not just memorizing codes—you’re building situational awareness that supports calm, confident flying.

If you’d like, I can walk you through a few real-world METARs from different airports, decode them line by line, and point out how CLR interacts with the other weather pieces. It’s a small exercise, but it sticks. And hey, who doesn’t like that moment when the sky really does look as clean as the METAR says it is?