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METAR-TAF.com is about METAR and TAFs. Both are prepared for aviation and contain weather information that pilots need. They mainly contain information about the weather, but also information about the runway conditions. But what's the difference and how do you use them?
A METAR (METeorological Aerodrome Report) is an observation and provides information about the current weather. Sometimes a METAR also gives a short-term forecast. A TAF (Terminal Area Forecast) provides a forecast for a longer period, for example 8, 24 or 36 hours. In addition to the METAR and TAF, there is also a SPECI (special). This is prepared when the weather has changed such that an interim observation is issued.
A METAR (METeorological Aerodrome Report) is an observation and provides information about the current weather. A TAF (Terminal Area Forecast) provides a forecast for a longer period, for example 8, 24 or 36 hours. Both are prepared for aviation and contain weather information that pilots need.
A METAR is prepared by a meteorologist or automatically. Sometimes a METAR is automatically prepared and then checked or supplemented by a meterologist. Most weather stations provide a new observation every half hour. Distribution
After compilation, the METAR is distributed in an encrypted format. That seems very outdated in the year 2024, but it is not. A lot of information can be passed on with few characters. This is done in a standardized way to avoid misunderstandings. The information from one round (cycle) of all approximately 4,200 measuring stations together is still about 3 Mb. Limitations
Yet encrypted METAR and TAFs do have their limitations. Sometimes it is difficult to quickly visualize all the information it contains.
These shortcomings are overcome by METAR decoders such as METAR-TAF.com.
The interactive map shows the most recent data from all METAR stations in the world. Click on a field to view the METAR, TAF and NOTAMs. If there is no METAR station on that airport, we will show the closest METAR in combination with the runways of the chosen space. In addition to a decoded METAR and TAF, you will also see the crosswind components.
Sign up for a free account to set and save your preferences. You can set a home base to center the map automatically and you can change all units. Certain functions are only available for logged in users, such as extensive historical METAR data.
The information on this website is intended for educational purposes only. Operational use is at your own risk.
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The color codes you see on the site are calculated based on the visibility values and cloud base. These color codes do not tell anything about the temperature, wind, type of clouds and other warnings. On the map above you only see the first letter of the color code. (Visual Flight Rules, Marginal VFR, Instrument Flight Rules, Low IFR)
Code | Visibility | Ceiling | |
---|---|---|---|
VFR | > 5 mi | > 3,000 ft | |
MVFR | 3-5 mi | 1,000‑3,000 ft | |
IFR | 1-3 mi | 500‑1,000 ft | |
LIFR | < 1 mi | < 500 ft | |
UNKN | Incomplete or expired data |
SIGMETs are severe weather advisories. They warn pilots for icing, mountain waves, ash clouds, heavy turbulence and thunderstorms. Current SIGMETs are drawn on the map with yellow polygons or circles.
If only one coordinate could be extracted from a SIGMET, a circle with a 25 km radius is drawn around it. In case we couldn't extract coordinates, the SIGMET will not be shown on the map.
Observed | |
Forecasted | |
CLD | Radioactive cloud |
DS | Dust storm |
ICE | Icing |
MTW | Mountain wave |
SS | Sand storm |
TC | Cyclone |
TS | Thunderstorms |
TURB | Turbulence |
VA | Vulcanic ash |
When an airport has no METAR you see one of these markers: