METAR Lookup - Aviation Weather for Any Airport

Enter any airport's ICAO code to check the current aviation weather there - decoded into plain English alongside the raw METAR text.

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How to read a METAR

A METAR packs a lot into one short line. Here's a real example, broken down field by field:

EGLL 061720Z AUTO 02002KT 9999 NCD 20/12 Q1016

  • EGLL - the ICAO code for the station (London Heathrow)
  • 061720Z - the 6th of the month, 17:20 UTC (Zulu time)
  • AUTO - an automated observation, with no human check
  • 02002KT - wind from 020° at 2kt
  • 9999 - visibility of 10km or more
  • NCD - no cloud detected
  • 20/12 - temperature 20°C, dewpoint 12°C
  • Q1016 - QNH (altimeter setting) of 1016 hPa

A manned station adds cloud groups (e.g. FEW030 - a few clouds at 3,000ft), present weather codes (e.g. RA for rain, BR for mist), and sometimes a trend forecast at the end.

Frequently asked questions

What does METAR stand for?

METAR is a French-origin abbreviation (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) for the standard format airports worldwide use to report current weather conditions - wind, visibility, cloud, temperature, dewpoint and pressure, all in one compact coded line.

How often is a METAR updated?

Most airports issue a new METAR once an hour, on a fixed schedule. Busier airports often issue one every 30 minutes, and a SPECI (special report) can be issued in between scheduled reports if conditions change significantly.

What's the difference between a METAR and a TAF?

A METAR is an actual observation of current conditions, right now. A TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) is a forecast of expected conditions over the following 24-30 hours - useful for flight planning, where a METAR is useful for an immediate go/no-go decision.

What does the flight category (VFR/MVFR/IFR/LIFR) mean?

It's a quick visibility/cloud-base summary derived from the METAR: VFR means good visual flying conditions, MVFR (marginal) and IFR mean reduced visibility or cloud base, and LIFR means very poor conditions. It's a convenience summary, not a substitute for reading the actual visibility and cloud figures.

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