METAR & TAF Weather Codes Reference Directory

Overview#

METAR and TAF reports encode large amounts of weather information into compact text strings used worldwide in aviation.

Pilots, dispatchers, and meteorologists rely on these standardized codes to quickly interpret:

This directory summarizes the most common code groups and links to full decoding guides.

Start here → Aviation Weather Explained covers the meteorology fundamentals. Then read How to Read a METAR and How to Read a TAF for full decoding walkthroughs.

Code	Meaning	Coverage	Ceiling?
SKC / CLR	Sky clear	0/8	No
FEW	Few clouds	1–2/8	No
SCT	Scattered clouds	3–4/8	No
BKN	Broken clouds	5–7/8	Yes
OVC	Overcast	8/8	Yes
VV	Vertical visibility	Obscured sky	Yes

The three-digit number following the code indicates height in hundreds of feet AGL.

Example: BKN025 means a broken cloud layer at 2,500 ft AGL.

Visibility units vary slightly between reporting regions.

Example: 0800 means visibility of 800 meters.

CAVOK replaces the visibility, cloud, and weather groups when conditions meet all of the following:

Standard wind format:

Code	Meaning	Code	Meaning
RA	Rain	SN	Snow
DZ	Drizzle	FG	Fog
BR	Mist	HZ	Haze
TS	Thunderstorm	GR	Hail
SH	Showers	FZ	Freezing
+	Heavy intensity	-	Light intensity
VC	In the vicinity

These codes can be combined.

Example: -SHRA means light rain showers.

Code	Meaning	Duration
FM	From — abrupt change starting at the stated time	Instant
BECMG	Becoming — gradual transition	Usually 2–4 hours
TEMPO	Temporary fluctuations	Less than 1 hour at a time, under half the forecast period
PROB30 / PROB40	Probability group	Attached to forecast conditions

These groups are what make TAFs readable once you stop treating them like encrypted government nonsense.

RVR, or Runway Visual Range, is reported when low visibility becomes operationally important.

Example: R09L/2400FT means:

Trend indicators may also appear:

Prefix	Meaning
METAR	Routine scheduled observation
SPECI	Special unscheduled observation
TAF	Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
TAF AMD	Amended TAF