How to Read METAR and TAF Reports
Learn how to read METAR and TAF reports in plain language, including wind, visibility, weather, clouds, altimeter, timing, and forecast changes.
METARs and TAFs look intimidating at first because they compress a lot of weather into short coded groups. Once you learn the order, they become much easier to read.
For pilots, this is not trivia. METARs tell you what is happening now. TAFs help you plan what is likely to happen next. Together, they support go/no-go decisions, fuel planning, alternate planning, and personal minimums.
If you want a slower walk-through, use the separate METAR guide and TAF guide as companion pages.
METAR vs. TAF
A METAR is an aviation weather report for current conditions at or near an airport. It usually includes the station, time, wind, visibility, weather, clouds, temperature, dew point, altimeter setting, and sometimes remarks.
A TAF is an aviation forecast for the terminal area around an airport. It uses many of the same codes but adds time periods and forecast change groups.
Think of it this way:
- METAR: what is happening now.
- TAF: what is forecast to happen over the next forecast period.
Start With the Station and Time
A METAR begins with the report type and station identifier. For example, KLAX is Los Angeles International Airport. The time group ends in Z, meaning Zulu time, or UTC.
If you see 180845Z, it means the report was issued on the 18th day of the month at 0845Z.
Pilots need to convert Zulu time to local time correctly. A stale weather report can be worse than no report because it gives false confidence.
Decode the Wind
Wind is usually shown as direction and speed, such as 19004G10KT.
The first three digits are the direction the wind is from, in degrees true. The next digits are the wind speed in knots. A G means gusts.
So 19004G10KT means wind from 190 degrees at 4 knots, gusting to 10 knots.
For training flights, compare this to runway direction and your personal crosswind limits. Do not just read the wind; apply it.
Visibility and Weather
In the United States, visibility is commonly reported in statute miles, such as 10SM.
Weather codes describe precipitation, obscuration, and intensity. For example, RA means rain, SN means snow, FG means fog, BR means mist, TS means thunderstorm, and SH means showers. A minus sign means light, no sign generally means moderate, and a plus sign means heavy.
If you see weather you do not recognize, decode it before flying. Guessing is not weather analysis.
Clouds and Ceilings
Cloud groups show coverage and height. FEW018 means few clouds at 1,800 feet. SCT028 means scattered at 2,800 feet. BKN040 means broken at 4,000 feet.
Cloud heights are reported in hundreds of feet above the station. For aviation purposes, a ceiling is usually the lowest broken or overcast layer, or vertical visibility when reported.
For VFR pilots, ceiling and visibility drive the practical decision. A legal flight can still be a bad idea if the margin is thin. Compare the report to your certificate, route, and personal weather minimums.
Temperature, Dew Point, and Altimeter
Temperature and dew point appear together, such as 18/02. Negative values use M, such as M01.
When temperature and dew point are close, expect more concern for fog, low clouds, or reduced visibility if conditions support it.
The altimeter group may look like A2990, meaning 29.90 inches of mercury. Set the correct altimeter before departure and update it during flight as appropriate.
Reading a TAF
A TAF starts with the station, issue time, and valid period. Many routine TAFs cover 24 or 30 hours, depending on the airport and product. Then the forecast gives expected conditions and change groups.
Common groups include:
FM: from a specific time, conditions change.TEMPO: temporary conditions during a time window.PROB: probability group where used.BECMG: becoming, or gradual change.
TAFs are planning tools, not promises. If the METAR is already worse than the TAF expected, pay attention. If conditions change enough to trigger a special observation, it may appear as a SPECI.
The Student-Pilot Method
Read weather in this order: wind, visibility, ceiling, hazards, trend. Then compare the result to your certificate, aircraft, route, terrain, daylight, and personal minimums.
Common Beginner Mistakes
The first mistake is reading only the nearest airport. Weather can change quickly along a short cross-country, and the airport ten miles away may tell a different story.
The second mistake is reading the decoded text without understanding the raw report. Decoders are useful, but pilots should still recognize the main groups. If an app formats something strangely, you need enough knowledge to catch it.
The third mistake is ignoring trends. A legal VFR METAR with a TAF showing falling ceilings deserves attention. Ask what the weather is doing, not only what it is right now.
METARs and TAFs are not just codes to pass a written test. They are a compact way to decide whether the conditions support the flight.
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.