A METAR only shows current weather, so forecasts live in a separate forecast document.

What type of information is NOT typically included in a METAR?

• A. Temperature and visibility
• B. Cloud cover details
• C. Weather forecasts
• D. Wind direction and speed

Answer: (C)

A METAR is an aviation weather report that provides critical information for pilots and meteorologists, conveying real-time observations about weather conditions at airports and aerodromes. The report usually includes a variety of data essential for flight operations, but it does not provide forecasts. The information contained within a METAR typically includes current temperature and visibility, details about cloud cover, and the wind direction and speed. This means that elements such as temperature and visibility, cloud cover details, and wind parameters are standard features of these reports, helping to inform air traffic control and pilots about the existing weather conditions. In contrast, weather forecasts address predictions and expectations for future weather patterns, such as expected changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind conditions. METARs are strictly observational reports and do not contain predictive elements like forecasts, which are instead provided in TAFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts). Hence, forecasts are not part of a METAR report, making this the correct answer.

METARs aren’t just random letters thrown at pilots. They’re the real-time weather snapshots that keep aviation safe and informed. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly goes into a METAR—and what doesn’t—you’re in the right place. Let’s demystify this essential keystone of aviation weather.

METAR in plain terms: a snapshot, not a forecast

A METAR is an observational report. It captures what the weather is doing right now at an airport or aerodrome. Think of it as a photograph of the atmosphere at a precise moment: wind streaming in from a direction, visibility through a buddy of miles, clouds layering overhead, and that temperature-and-dew-point reading that tells you how warm and moist it feels.

Here’s what a METAR typically includes

• Temperature and dew point: the current air temperature and how close the air is to saturation, both reported in Celsius.

• Wind direction and speed: for example, winds from 180 degrees at 12 knots, sometimes with gusts.

• Visibility: how far you can see in the prevailing weather conditions, usually given in statute miles or meters.

• Cloud cover and height: the sky condition is described with terms like FEW, SCT, BKN, and OVC, plus the base height of the clouds (when available).

• Weather phenomena: any active weather at the moment—raindrops, snow, mist, fog, drizzle, or more intense events—expressed with shorthand like -RA for light rain or +TS for a thunderstorm.

• Altimeter setting: the current pressure setting used by aircraft instruments, typically shown as a three- or four-digit number with a prefix A (in inches of mercury in the US) or QNH in hectopascals elsewhere.

• Optional remarks: extra notes that might hint at automated versus human observation, sky conditions updates, or other facultative details.

• RVR in some cases: Runway Visual Range may be included if it’s available, giving pilots a sense of visibility along a runway.

What METAR does not include

• Forecasts. That’s right—the METAR isn’t predicting what will happen next hour or two. It’s a live report of what is happening now.

• In-depth regional or trend analyses. METAR focuses on the observed conditions at a specific location.

• Broad long-range weather outlooks. If you want a forecast, you’ll look at the TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) or other forecast products.

For forecasts and future conditions, meet TAFs

If METAR is the photo, TAFs are the film trailer. TAFs provide time-bound forecasts for wind, visibility, weather phenomena, and sky cover for a 24- to 30-hour window. They’re crafted from weather models, observations, and meteorologist judgment, then issued for individual airports. Pilots and flight planners read METARs for the current conditions and TAFs for what to expect as the trip unfolds.

Reading a METAR: a quick decode

Let me explain with a simple example (a real-world format you’ll see in feeds and apps):

METAR KJFK 041651Z 18015G25KT 10SM FEW020 SCT030 BKN060 25/12 A2992 RMK AO2

What that means, line by line:

• KJFK: the station identifier (John F. Kennedy International Airport).

• 041651Z: the observation time, in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Here, it’s the 4th day of the month at 1651Z.

• 18015G25KT: wind blowing from 180 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25.

• 10SM: visibility is 10 statute miles.

• FEW020 SCT030 BKN060: cloud cover—a few clouds at 2,000 feet, scattered at 3,000 feet, broken at 6,000 feet.

• 25/12: temperature 25°C, dew point 12°C.

• A2992: altimeter setting 29.92 inches of mercury.

• RMK AO2: remarks indicating the observation method (automatic station with weather watcher capability).

That string would look like a lot of code to the untrained eye, but once you get the hang of the blocks, it’s a clean, actionable snapshot. If you’re just starting, try to memorize the main culprits pilots watch: wind, visibility, cloud layers, and the temperature/dew point spread. Everything else is the “how,” but those four tell you what you’ll actually feel and see in the air.

Why this matters in the real world

METARs matter because flying is grounded in real conditions, not potential ones. A busy airport that looks calm on a forecast can be choked with low visibility or thick clouds the moment you arrive. For pilots, ground crews, air traffic controllers, and even flight planners, METARs feed the decision loop: can I take off? Do I land safely? Will I need to adjust routing or delays?

Here are a few practical takeaways:

• METARs give you an instant weather baseline. If you’re routing a flight, you’ll check several METARs along the path to understand how conditions vary by airport.

• They’re updated on the hour or more frequently in some cases, so a sudden change in wind or visibility can pop up, and you’ll want to know quickly.

• They’re used in combination with other products, especially TAFs, to craft a safe, efficient plan.

Where to find METARs (and how to read them in the wild)

If you’re curious about live data, reputable sources include the Aviation Weather Center (a US-based resource from NOAA) and national meteorological services around the world. These feeds power many flight planning apps and websites. Some popular places to view METARs:

• Aviationweather.gov METAR pages

• Flight planning apps that layer METARs with weather maps

• SkyVector or similar aviation cartography tools

What you’ll notice is consistency: each METAR is a concise, time-stamped report; the presentation might look slightly different, but the core fields line up.

A small digression that helps with intuition

Think of METARs like weather captions you’d read on a news bulletin, except they’re tailored to airplanes. The cloud strata are the “notes” about what’s overhead, the wind bands tell you which way the air is pushing you, and visibility is the distance you could see without your eyes playing tricks. The temperature and dew point tell you how the air might behave as you move through different layers. It’s a practical language—and like any language, you get fluent by reading a lot and noticing patterns.

Common pitfalls (and how to sidestep them)

• Mixing up METAR with forecast terms. Remember: METAR = current conditions; TAF = forecast. If you’re planning for weather-sensitive decisions, check both.

• Misreading cloud layers. The order FEW, SCT, BKN, OVC is not arbitrary. It’s about how thick the cloud layer is and how much of the sky they cover. An easy misread is assuming “scattered” means “clear”—two different ideas.

• Forgetting the altimeter. Altimeter settings matter because they keep your altimeter reading in sync with actual height above mean sea level, which affects altitude and approach performance.

• Ignoring the remarks. Sometimes the most important context sits in the RMK line—especially when an automated station is upgrading or when there’s sensor trouble.

A few friendly tips to sharpen your METAR literacy

• Practice decoding a handful of METARs from different airports. Start with one that’s well-documented and then move to a busier hub.

• Pair METARs with a current TAF for the same location to see how the observed conditions compare with the forecast.

• Note the verbs used for weather phenomena, like SH for showers or TS for thunderstorms. The presence or absence of these symbols can change planning in a heartbeat.

• Use a reliable weather source and cross-check. A quick glance at multiple feeds can reveal if one is lagging or missing a recent observation.

A little glossary to keep handy

• METAR: Meteorological Aerodrome Report, the current weather observation at an airport.

• TAF: Terminal Aerodrome Forecast, the forecast for a future window.

• FEW/SCT/BKN/OVC: Sky cover terms (few, scattered, broken, overcast) with cloud base heights.

• RVR: Runway Visual Range, a runway-specific visibility measure.

• RMK: Remarks, additional notes from the station.

• A/B: Altimeter setting format (A for inches of mercury in the US; QNH in hPa elsewhere).

Closing thoughts: weather literacy is practical, not academic

METARs are more than a technical checklist; they’re the everyday tools that keep air travel predictable and safe. They shift the conversation from guesswork to evidence—right now, in this moment, as the wind howls or the mist rolls in. And while forecasts tell you what might happen, METARs tell you what is happening. When you see a METAR, you’re not just reading a string of characters—you’re reading the atmosphere in real time, one breath, one knot, one cloud at a time.

If you’re curious about how this data is collected, or you want to see how METARs tie into broader weather planning, the Aviation Weather Center and similar national services provide accessible, up-to-date resources. It’s one of those areas where precise terminology meets practical use—and that’s what makes weather literacy so compelling in the world of aviation.

In short: a METAR tells you what’s happening now—wind, visibility, cloud, temperature, and pressure. It does not tell you what will happen. For forecasts, turn to TAFs. And for anyone hungry to understand the skies, that pairing is where the real insight lives.