How to Read a METAR Weather Report
Learn how to read a METAR step by step, including station ID, time, wind, visibility, weather, clouds, temperature, dew point, and altimeter setting.
A METAR is an aviation weather report for a specific airport. It tells pilots what the weather was at the observation time: wind, visibility, clouds, temperature, dew point, altimeter setting, and significant weather. It is one part of a complete weather picture, not a substitute for a full briefing when one is needed.
At first, a METAR looks like a code. After practice, it becomes one of the fastest ways to understand airport weather. For the forecast side of the same workflow, use how to read a TAF.
Use this example:
KBWI 082330Z AUTO 21010KT 5SM DZ OVC010 10/08 A3000
Station Identifier
KBWI is the airport identifier. In the United States, many ICAO airport identifiers begin with K.
Always confirm the station. Weather can vary significantly between airports in the same metro area.
Date and Time
082330Z means the observation was taken on the 8th day of the month at 2330 Zulu time. Zulu time is UTC.
Time matters. A METAR that is too old may not reflect current conditions, especially with thunderstorms, fog, fronts, or rapidly changing wind.
Observation Type
AUTO means the report was generated by automated equipment. If AUTO is absent, a human observer may be involved.
Automated reports are useful, but they have limits. They may not describe every nearby weather feature as well as a trained observer.
Wind
21010KT means the wind is from 210 degrees at 10 knots. METAR wind direction is reported in degrees true.
If you see a G, that means gusts. For example, 21010G18KT means wind from 210 at 10 knots, gusting to 18.
For pilots, wind affects runway choice, crosswind component, landing distance, and comfort.
Visibility
5SM means visibility is five statute miles. In U.S. METARs, visibility is commonly reported in statute miles.
Visibility helps determine whether VFR flight is legal and practical. It also affects pattern work, traffic spotting, and runway acquisition. If you are using the report for a go/no-go decision, compare it with your weather minimums, the route, terrain, and forecast trend.
Weather
DZ means drizzle. Weather codes may describe rain, snow, mist, fog, haze, thunderstorms, freezing precipitation, and more.
Intensity may be shown with - for light or + for heavy. TSRA means thunderstorm with rain. BR means mist. FG means fog. HZ means haze.
Learn the common codes first. Then keep a decoder handy for the rare ones.
Clouds
OVC010 means overcast clouds at 1,000 feet above the reporting station. Cloud height groups are reported in hundreds of feet.
Common cloud coverage codes include:
FEW: few clouds.SCT: scattered.BKN: broken.OVC: overcast.CLRorSKC: clear or sky clear, depending on reporting format.
For VFR pilots, ceilings are critical. Broken and overcast layers usually define a ceiling.
Temperature and Dew Point
10/08 means temperature 10 degrees Celsius and dew point 8 degrees Celsius.
When temperature and dew point are close, relative humidity is high and fog or low clouds may become more likely. Temperature also affects density altitude and aircraft performance.
Altimeter
A3000 means the altimeter setting is 30.00 inches of mercury. Set it correctly so your altimeter reads properly relative to sea level pressure.
Wrong altimeter settings create altitude errors. This matters for terrain clearance, traffic separation, and pattern altitude.
Final Takeaway
Read METARs in chunks: station, time, wind, visibility, weather, clouds, temperature/dew point, altimeter, and remarks if present.
Do not just decode the letters. Ask what the report means for your flight: runway, legality, performance, cloud clearance, alternates, and go/no-go decision. For practice combining current observations with forecasts, review METAR and TAF reports together.
Official References
Need help applying this to your training?
Use this guide as a starting point, then bring the confusing parts to a focused ground lesson. Diego works with Louisville-area and remote students on FAA knowledge, oral-prep, and practical training decisions.
Related guide collections
- Weather Guides for Student Pilots - Student-pilot weather guides for METARs, TAFs, density altitude, crosswinds, turbulence, thunderstorms, icing, fog, and go/no-go decisions.