AERODROME WEATHER REPORT CODES ACTUALS METARS SAUK 02

AERODROME WEATHER REPORT CODES (ACTUALS) METARS

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= BULLETIN HEADER SA = METAR UK 02 = AREA CODE EGGY = Issuing authority, i. e. Bracknell 231020 Z : Bulletin Date = 23 rd/Bulletin Issue Time = 1020 Zulu or UTC. REPORT TYPE METAR - A/D Actual weather. Compiled half-hourly or hourly while station open SPECI - Aviation selected special weather report (SPECI will not be disseminated by either OPMET in UK or MOTNE in Europe) LOCATION INDICATOR ICAO four-letter code e. g. EGSS = Stansted

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= WIND • Direction in degrees True (3 digits) to nearest 10°. • Wind speed (2 digits), usually 10 minute mean. • Followed by Units. KT, KMH or MPS. E. g. 31015 kt • Further 2 or 3 digits preceded by G gives gust speed when it exceeds 10 minute mean by 10 kt or more E. g. 31015 G 30 KT • Calm indicted by 00000 followed by units. • Variable wind direction given by VRB followed by speed and units. • If direction varies by 60° or more during 10 minutes preceding the observation, the observed extremes are given in clockwise order. E. g. 31015 G 30 KT 280 V 350

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY If no marked variation, the minimum given in metres. For marked visibility variation the reported minimum is followed by one of 8 points of the compass. E. g. 4000 NE If the minimum visibility is less than 1500 m and the visibility in another direction is greater then 5000 m then both are given. Visibility of 10 km or more indicated by 9999 Visibility of less than 50 m indicated by 0000 E. g. 1400 SW 6000 N

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= RUNWAY VISUAL RANGE (RVR) RVR group always prefixed by letter R followed by runway designator, followed by diagonal followed by touchdown RVR in metres. Parallel runways indicated by letters L, R or C. E. g. R 24 L/1100 When RVR is greater than the maximum reportable value then RVR figure preceded by letter P. E. g. R 24 L/P 1500 When the RVR is less than the minimum reportable value then the RVR figure preceded by the letter M. E. g. R 24 L/M 0050 Until further notice trends and significant variations in RVR will not be reported in the U. K.

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= PRESENT WEATHER CODES BR, HZ, FU, IC, DU and SA will not be reported when the visibility is >5000 m

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= CLOUD COVER Shown by 6 character group. First 3 indicate cloud amount in OKTAS. FEW = 1 to 2 oktas BKN = 5 to 7 oktas SCT = 3 to 4 oktas. OVC = 8 oktas Last 3 indicate height of cloud base above a/d level E. g: FEW 018 = 1 to 2 oktas at 1800 feet above a/d level. Only significant convective cloud identified. CB = Cumulonimbus TCU = Towering Cumulus. E. g: SCT 018 CB Sky obscured = VV///

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= CLOUD COVER REPORTING SEQUENCE First group = Lowest layer of 1 okta or more Second group = Next layer of 3 oktas or more Third group = Next layer of 5 oktas or more. Additional group = Significant convective cloud if not already reported. Cloud groups given in ascending order of height. E. g: FEW 005 SCT 010 SCT 018 CB BKN 025 If there is no cloud to report and CAVOK does not apply, then SKC (sky clear) reported

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= CAVOK Visibility, RVR, weather and cloud groups replaced by CAVOK when: Visibility is 10 km or more. No cloud below 5000 ft or MSA, whichever is greater, and No CB present No significant weather phenomena at or in vicinity of a/d.

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= AIR TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT Given in degrees Celcius. Prefix M indicates negative value. E. g: 10/03; 01/M 01; 00/M 00.

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= ALTIMETER SETTING (QNH) QNH is rounded down to nearest whole millibar. Reported as 4 figure group preceded by letter Q E. g: Q 0995 When reported in inches of mercury Prefixed by letter A followed by 4 figure group E. g: A 3027 = 30. 27 inches of mercury.

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Consists of one or more of the following groups in sequence: Recent weather. Windshear. Trend. Runway state group.

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= Recent weather. Operationally significant weather observed since last observation or during the past hour, whichever is shorter. Prefixed by letters RE followed by appropriate weather codes. E. g: RETS, REGR, RESHRA.

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= Windshear Inserted when windshear encountered along takeoff or approach paths below 1600 feet with reference to the runway. Prefixed by the letters WS. E. g: WS RWY 20, WS ALL RWY. Until further notice, UK aerodromes will not insert windshear groups.

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= TREND This a forecast of significant changes in weather conditions during the two hours following the observation time. Change Indicators BECMG (becoming) TEMPO (temporary) followed by by a 4 figure time group (in hours and minutes UTC) preceded by one of the following, FM (from), TL(until) or AT (at). Weather Standard codes used. NOSIG used when no significant change in weather conditions expected. E. g: BECMG FM 1100 25035 G 50 KT; TEMPO FM 0630 TL 0830 3000 SHRA.

SAUK 02 EGGY 231020 Z METAR EGSS 231020 Z 31015 G 30 KT 1400 SW 6000 N R 24 L/P 1500 SHRA FEW 005 SCT 010 CB BKN 025 10/03 Q 0995 RETS WS RWY 23 NOSIG 88290592= RUNWAY STATE GROUP See handout.

Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) Codes

FCUK 31 EGGY 300900 EGGW 300900 301019 23010 KT 9999 SCT 010 BECMG 1114 6000 -RA BKN 012 TEMPO 1418 2000 RADZ OVC 004 FM 1800 30020 G 30 KT 9999 -SHRA BKN 015 CB= HEADER: • Letters FC = 9 hour TAF (Issued every 3 hrs. ) • FT = 18 hour TAF. (Issued every 6 hrs. ) • UK 31 = Forecast region. • EGGY = Issuing authority (Bracknell UK). • Date of issue = 30 th. • Time of issue = 0900 UTC. • EGGW = ICAO location identifier. • 301019 = Valid on date 30 th between 1000 UTC and 1900 UTC.

FCUK 31 EGGY 300900 EGGW 300900 301019 23010 KT 9999 SCT 010 BECMG 1114 6000 -RA BKN 012 TEMPO 1418 2000 RADZ OVC 004 FM 1800 30020 G 30 KT 9999 -SHRA BKN 015 CB= • Forecast Elements of a TAF. – Surface Wind – Visibility – Weather – Cloud – Probability – Significant changes – Amendments • Other Groups (not used on UK civil aerodromes). – Forecast temperature. – Airframe ice accretion. – Turbulence.

FCUK 31 EGGY 300900 EGGW 300900 301019 23010 KT 9999 SCT 010 BECMG 1114 6000 -RA BKN 012 TEMPO 1418 2000 RADZ OVC 004 FM 1800 30020 G 30 KT 9999 -SHRA BKN 015 CB= Same format as METAR. Variations in Surface Wind : direction not forecast. Same format as METAR. Only the minimum expected forecast. Weather: If no significant weather expected - group omitted. If the weather after a change group ceases to be significant - abbreviation NSW (no significant weather) inserted. Cloud : When clear sky forecast - SKC (sky clear) inserted or CAVOK if criteria apply. Horizontal Visibility : If SKC or CAVOK not appropriate then NSC (no significant cloud) used. Only CB cloud will be specifie

FCUK 31 EGGY 300900 EGGW 300900 301019 23010 KT 9999 SCT 010 BECMG 1114 6000 -RA BKN 012 TEMPO 1418 2000 RADZ OVC 004 FM 1800 30020 G 30 KT 9999 -SHRA BKN 015 CB= • Significant Changes : – BECMG • followed by 4 figure time group indicates expected permanent change in items specified at regular or irregular rate. E. g. BECMG 2124 27017 KT 4000 BKN 010 – FM • followed by 4 figure time group in hours and minutes UTC to indicate beginning of a self contained part of forecast. • All conditions before FM are superseded by

FCUK 31 EGGY 300900 EGGW 300900 301019 23010 KT 9999 SCT 010 BECMG 1114 6000 -RA BKN 012 TEMPO 1418 2000 RADZ OVC 004 FM 1800 30020 G 30 KT 9999 -SHRA BKN 015 CB= • Significant Changes Cont. : – TEMPO • followed by 4 figure time group indictes temporary variations in f/cast wx. Each occurrence lasting <1 hour and in total less than half period specified. – PROB • followed by 30 or 40 as a % followed by 4 figure time group. E. g. PROB 40 TEMPO 1416 TSRA.

FCUK 31 EGGY 300900 EGGW 300900 301019 23010 KT 9999 SCT 010 BECMG 1114 6000 -RA BKN 012 TEMPO 1418 2000 RADZ OVC 004 FM 1800 30020 G 30 KT 9999 -SHRA BKN 015 CB= Amendments : AMD inserted after location identifier to indicate amended TAF. The new forecast covers remaining period of validity. E. g: TAF EGZZ AMD 130820 Z 130816 In an amended TAF bulletin, the indicators AAA or AAB and time of origin will appear in the header line beginning FC or FT. AMD and date/time not normally used in UK TAF’s.

FCUK 31 EGGY 300900 EGGW 300900 301019 23010 KT 9999 SCT 010 BECMG 1114 6000 -RA BKN 012 TEMPO 1418 2000 RADZ OVC 004 FM 1800 30020 G 30 KT 9999 -SHRA BKN 015 CB= Other Groups: Forecast Temperature Airframe Ice Accretion Turbulence Not used at UK civil aerodromes, but are used in overseas and UK military TAF’s. See handout for decodes. Have not yet been asked in CAA exams.