METAR/TAF Abbreviations

Question 1

What is the intensity when a minus (-) sign is shown on a TAF or METAR?

Answer 1

Light Intensity

Question 2

What is the intensity when a plus (+) sign is shown on a TAF or METAR?

Answer 2

Heavy Intensity

Question 3

What is the intensity when no sign is shown on a TAF or METAR?

Answer 3

Moderate Intensity

Question 4

What is the proximity when VC is listed?

Answer 4

In the “vincity”, but not aerodrome. For a METAR, 5-10 SM from point of observation; for a TAF, 5-10 SM from the center of the runway complex; elsewhere, within 8000m.

Question 5

BC

Answer 5

Patches

Question 6

MI

Answer 6

Shallow

Question 7

BL

Answer 7

Blowing

Question 8

PR

Answer 8

Partial

Question 9

DR

Answer 9

Drifting

Question 10

SH

Answer 10

Showers

Question 11

FZ

Answer 11

Freezing

Question 12

TS

Answer 12

Thunderstorms

Question 13

DZ

Answer 13

Drizzle

Question 14

IC

Answer 14

Ice Crystals

Question 15

SN

Answer 15

Snow

Question 16

GR

Answer 16

Hail

Question 17

PL

Answer 17

Ice Pellets

Question 18

UP

Answer 18

Unknown precipitation in automated observations

Question 19

GS

Answer 19

Small Hail or Snow Pellets

Question 20

RA

Answer 20

Rain

Question 21

SG

Answer 21

Snow Grains

Question 22

BR

Answer 22

Mist (greater than or equal 5/8SM)

Question 23

HZ

Answer 23

Haze

Question 24

DU

Answer 24

Widespread Dust

Question 25

PY

Answer 25

Spray

Question 26

FG

Answer 26

Fog (<5/8SM)

Question 27

SA

Answer 27

Sand

Question 28

FU

Answer 28

Smoke

Question 29

VA

Answer 29

Volcanic Ash

Question 30

DS

Answer 30

Dust Storm

Question 31

PO

Answer 31

Well-developed dust or sand whirls

Question 32

FC

Answer 32

Funnel Cloud

Question 33

+FC

Answer 33

Tornado or Waterspout

Question 34

SQ

Answer 34

Squall

Question 35

SS

Answer 35

Sandstorm

Question 36

Sky Cover: SKC

Answer 36

Clear (no clouds)

Question 37

Sky Cover: FEW

Answer 37

> 0 to 2/8

Question 38

Sky Cover: SCT

Answer 38

Scattered (3/8s to 4/8s of clouds)

Question 39

Sky Cover: BKN

Answer 39

Broken (5/8s to 7/8s of clouds)

Question 40

Sky Cover: OVC

Answer 40

Overcast (8/8s clouds)

Question 41

Sky Cover: CB

Answer 41

Cumulonimbus when present

Question 42

Sky Cover: TCU

Answer 42

Towering cumulus when present