How to read a METAR in 60 seconds
November 14, 2026
A METAR is an airport’s routine weather observation, written in a compact code that fits on one line. It looks like noise at first. After you read a few dozen, you can take one in at a glance. Here is how to get there quickly.
One real report, decoded
This is a real observation from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International, pulled from the NOAA Aviation Weather Center on November 14, 2026:
METAR KFLL 141753Z 31007KT 10SM SCT220 21/08 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP153| Piece | What it means |
|---|---|
METAR |
A routine hourly report. A SPECI is a special report issued when conditions change significantly between hours. |
KFLL |
The station’s ICAO identifier: Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International. |
141753Z |
Day 14 of the month, 17:53 UTC (“Zulu”). That is 12:53 PM Eastern in November. |
31007KT |
Wind from 310° true at 7 knots. Wind direction in a METAR is true, not magnetic. |
10SM |
Visibility 10 statute miles. |
SCT220 |
Scattered clouds at 22,000 ft above ground level. Heights are in hundreds of feet. |
21/08 |
Temperature 21 °C, dew point 8 °C. A wide spread, so fog is unlikely. |
A2999 |
Altimeter setting 29.99 inches of mercury. |
RMK AO2 SLP153 |
Remarks: an automated station with a precipitation sensor; sea-level pressure 1015.3 hPa. |
The order never changes
That is the trick. Every METAR follows the same order, so you always know what comes next:
- Type and station (
METAR KFLL) - Date and time in UTC (
141753Z) - Wind (
31007KT) - Visibility (
10SM) - Weather happening now, if any (for example
-RAlight rain,TSRAthunderstorm with rain,BRmist) - Sky condition (
FEW,SCT,BKN,OVCplus height) - Temperature and dew point (
21/08) - Altimeter (
A2999) - Remarks (
RMK ...)
Codes that trip people up
- Ceilings. A ceiling is the lowest broken (
BKN) or overcast (OVC) layer, or vertical visibility (VV). Scattered and few layers are not ceilings.SCT008 BKN015means the ceiling is 1,500 ft, not 800. - Gusts and variable wind.
18012G22KTis 12 knots gusting 22.VRB03KTmeans light and variable.25010KT 210V290means the direction is swinging between 210° and 290°. - Minus and plus.
-is light, no sign is moderate,+is heavy.+TSRAdeserves your full attention. - Negative temperatures. An
Mmeans minus:M02/M05is −2 °C over −5 °C. - Fractional visibility.
1 1/2SMis one and a half statute miles;P6SM(common in forecasts) means more than six. - The temperature/dew point spread. When the two numbers get within a few degrees of each other, think fog, low clouds or haze, especially around sunrise.
Practice with live data
The fastest way to get fluent is repetition. Open the Pilot Lounge, type any ICAO code (try your home field, then somewhere with real winter), and compare the raw line with the decoded version underneath. Do five a day for a week and you will not need the decoder.
Next up: how to read a TAF, the forecast that tells you whether the METAR you just read is going to hold.
Always get an official weather briefing before you fly. This page is for learning, not flight planning.
Sources
- NOAA Aviation Weather Center, METAR data for KFLL, November 14, 2026: aviationweather.gov
- FAA, Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28B): faa.gov
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