METAR/TAF Abbreviations Flashcards
1
Q
What is the intensity when a minus (-) sign is shown on a TAF or METAR?
A
Light Intensity
2
Q
What is the intensity when a plus (+) sign is shown on a TAF or METAR?
A
Heavy Intensity
3
Q
What is the intensity when no sign is shown on a TAF or METAR?
A
Moderate Intensity
4
Q
What is the proximity when VC is listed?
A
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.
5
Q
BC
A
Patches
6
Q
MI
A
Shallow
7
Q
BL
A
Blowing
8
Q
PR
A
Partial
9
Q
DR
A
Drifting
10
Q
SH
A
Showers
11
Q
FZ
A
Freezing
12
Q
TS
A
Thunderstorms
13
Q
DZ
A
Drizzle
14
Q
IC
A
Ice Crystals
15
Q
SN
A
Snow
16
Q
GR
A
Hail
17
Q
PL
A
Ice Pellets
18
Q
UP
A
Unknown precipitation in automated observations
19
Q
GS
A
Small Hail or Snow Pellets
20
Q
RA
A
Rain
21
Q
SG
A
Snow Grains
22
Q
BR
A
Mist (greater than or equal 5/8SM)
23
Q
HZ
A
Haze
24
Q
DU
A
Widespread Dust
25
PY
Spray
26
FG
Fog (<5/8SM)
27
SA
Sand
28
FU
Smoke
29
VA
Volcanic Ash
30
DS
Dust Storm
31
PO
Well-developed dust or sand whirls
32
FC
Funnel Cloud
33
+FC
Tornado or Waterspout
34
SQ
Squall
35
SS
Sandstorm
36
Sky Cover: SKC
Clear (no clouds)
37
Sky Cover: FEW
>0 to 2/8
38
Sky Cover: SCT
Scattered (3/8s to 4/8s of clouds)
39
Sky Cover: BKN
Broken (5/8s to 7/8s of clouds)
40
Sky Cover: OVC
Overcast (8/8s clouds)
41
Sky Cover: CB
Cumulonimbus when present
42
Sky Cover: TCU
Towering cumulus when present
