TAF/METAR etc Coded Terms

Question 1

FU

Answer 1

Smoke

vis<5km

Question 2

DU

Answer 2

Dust

vis<5km

Question 3

SA

Answer 3

Sand

vis<5km

Question 4

VA

Answer 4

Volcanic ash

vis<5km

Question 5

HZ

Answer 5

Haze

vis<5km

Question 6

BR

Answer 6

Mist

5km>vis>1km

Question 7

RA

Answer 7

Rain - Showers (Cu, Cb), Continuous widespread(Ns)

Question 8

DZ

Answer 8

Drizzle (MAX 500ft) - stratus clouds

Question 9

SN

Answer 9

Snow - Ns, Cu, Cb

Question 10

FG

Answer 10

Fog

>2m AGL

Question 11

MIFG

Answer 11

Shallow fog

<2m AGL

Question 12

BLSN

Answer 12

Blowing snow

>2m AGL

Question 13

DRSN

Answer 13

Drifting snow

<2m AGL

Question 14

FEW

Answer 14

Few clouds covering 1-2 Octas

Question 15

SCT

Answer 15

Scattered clouds covering 3-4 Octas

Question 16

BKN

Answer 16

Broken clouds covering 5-7 Octas

Question 17

OVC

Answer 17

8 Octas

Question 18

ISOL

Answer 18

Isolated

Question 19

LYR

Answer 19

Layer or layered

Question 20

EMBD

Answer 20

Embedded

Question 21

CAVOK

Answer 21

Ceiling and visibility okay
Visibility is >= 10km
SKY below 5000ft or below highest MSA (Whichever is higher), no Cb or TCu, no significant weather

Question 22

NSC

Answer 22

No significant cloud

Any visibility, may be some cloud but none of importance

Question 23

VV003

Answer 23

Sky obscured, vertical visibility 300ft

Question 24

FZDZ

Answer 24

Freezing drizzle (MAX 500ft) - stratus clouds - if reaches the ground below 0°C.

Question 25

SG

Answer 25

Snow grains (MAX 500ft) - stratus clouds - if very cold

Question 26

FZRA

Answer 26

Freezing rain - Ns

Question 27

PL

Answer 27

Ice pellets - Ns - Indicates an inversion

Question 28

GS

Answer 28

Snow pellets - Cu, Cb

Question 29

GR

Answer 29

Hail - TCu, Cb - large>5mm, small<5mm

Question 30

+

Answer 30

Heavy

Question 31

-

Answer 31

Light