METAR Decoder

Paste a raw METAR to decode it into readable fields

VFRVisual Flight Rules
Decoded
StationKJFK
KJFK
ObservedDay 10, 17:56 UTC
101756Z
Wind270° at 15 kts, gusting 25 kts
27015G25KT
Visibility10 SM
10SM
CloudsFew at 4,000 ft
FEW040
CloudsScattered at 8,000 ft
SCT080
CloudsBroken at 25,000 ft
BKN250
Temperature22°C (72°F)
22/14
Dewpoint14°C (57°F)
22/14
Altimeter29.92 inHg (1013 hPa)
A2992
RemarksAO2
RMK ...

VFR: >5 SM visibility, ceiling >3,000 ft. MVFR: 3-5 SM or 1,000-3,000 ft. IFR: 1-3 SM or 500-1,000 ft. LIFR: <1 SM or <500 ft.

METAR Field Guide

A METAR always appears in the same field order. Each group is separated by a space. Once you learn the pattern, you can read any METAR in the world without a decoder.

KJFKICAO airport identifier (4 letters)
101756ZDay of month + time in UTC (Z). 10th at 17:56 UTC.
27015G25KTDirection 270 deg, 15 kts, gusting 25 kts
10SM10 statute miles (SM) or metres outside the US
RA, TSRA, -SNPresent weather: rain, thunderstorm with rain, light snow
BKN040Coverage (FEW/SCT/BKN/OVC) + height in hundreds of feet
22/14Temperature and dewpoint in Celsius. M prefix = below zero
A2992Altimeter setting. A = inHg (US), Q = hPa (rest of world)

What does METAR stand for?

Meteorological Aerodrome Report (or Meteorological Terminal Air Report in some regions). It is the standard format for routine surface weather observations at airports worldwide.

How often are METARs updated?

Standard METARs are issued every 30 minutes (at :20 and :50 past the hour at major airports, or on the hour and half-hour). A SPECI is a special observation issued any time conditions change significantly.