How to read a METAR

A METAR is an hourly (or special) observation of conditions at an airport. Once you know the order of the fields it reads like a sentence. Take:

`KJFK 121651Z 18012G20KT 6SM -RA BKN015 OVC025 18/15 A2992 RMK AO2`

• KJFK — station (ICAO).
• 121651Z — the 12th of the month, 1651 Zulu (UTC).
• 18012G20KT — wind from 180° at 12 knots, gusting 20.
• 6SM — visibility 6 statute miles.
• -RA — present weather: light rain (`-` light, `+` heavy, `RA` rain, `SN` snow, `BR` mist, `FG` fog, `TS` thunderstorm…).
• BKN015 OVC025 — broken at 1,500 ft, overcast at 2,500 ft AGL (hundreds of feet). FEW/SCT/BKN/OVC describe coverage.
• 18/15 — temperature 18°C / dew point 15°C. The close spread hints at moisture and possible fog/low cloud.
• A2992 — altimeter 29.92 inHg.
• RMK AO2 — remarks; AO2 means an automated station with a precipitation sensor.

Reading the ceiling (lowest BKN/OVC) and visibility tells you immediately whether the field is VFR, MVFR, IFR or LIFR. The temperature/dew-point spread warns of fog. Wind tells you the active runway and any gust or crosswind concern. Always note the time — an old METAR can mislead.

*Reference and training only. Use official briefings for flight planning.*