METAR (aerodrome routine weather report)
Weather
A METAR is a coded, observed weather report for an aerodrome, usually issued every 30 or 60 minutes. It states wind, visibility, weather, cloud, temperature, dew point and QNH.
- German term
- METAR (Flugplatzwettermeldung)
- Abbr.
- METAR
Example
EDDF 011350Z 24012KT 9999 FEW035 12/06 Q1018 NOSIG
Reading the example: EDDF (Frankfurt), observed on the 1st at 13:50 UTC, wind 240° at 12 kt, visibility 10 km or more, few clouds at 3,500 ft, temperature 12 °C, dew point 6 °C, QNH 1018 hPa, no significant change expected. A METAR describes what was observed — for what is coming, read the TAF.
In practice
Always check the observation time — an old METAR can hide a fast-moving front. Compare temperature and dew point: a spread of 2 °C or less hints at fog or low cloud.
Related in Altimate Pilot
Weather & Flyability ScoreRelated terms
Official sources
Content reviewed: 2026-11
For general information only. Always use official sources, your aircraft's flight manual and current national rules for flight decisions.