TAF/METAR Decode

Question 1

MI

Answer 1

Descriptor: Shallow

Question 2

BL

Answer 2

Descriptor: Blowing

Question 3

BC

Answer 3

Descriptor: Patches

Question 4

SH

Answer 4

Descriptor: Showers

Question 5

PR

Answer 5

Descriptor: Partial

Question 6

DR

Answer 6

Descriptor: Drifting

Question 7

TS

Answer 7

Descriptor: Thunderstorm

Question 8

FZ

Answer 8

Descriptor: Freezing

Question 9

DZ

Answer 9

Precipitation: Drizzle

Question 10

IC

Answer 10

Precipitation: Ice Crystals

Question 11

UP

Answer 11

Unknown precipitation in automated observations

Question 12

RA

Answer 12

Precipitation: Rain

Question 13

PL

Answer 13

Precipitation: Ice pellets

Question 14

SN

Answer 14

Precipitation: Snow

Question 15

GR

Answer 15

Precipitation: Hail

Question 16

SG

Answer 16

Precipitation: Snow Grains

Question 17

GS

Answer 17

Precipitation: Small Hail/Snow Pellets

Question 18

BR

Answer 18

Obscuration: Mist (>= 5/8SM)

Question 19

SA

Answer 19

Obscuration: Sand

Question 20

FG

Answer 20

Obscuration: Fog (< 5/8SM)

Question 21

HZ

Answer 21

Obscuration: Haze

Question 22

FU

Answer 22

Obscuration: Smoke

Question 23

PY

Answer 23

Obscuration: Spray

Question 24

VA

Answer 24

Obscuration: Volcanic Ash

Question 25

DU

Answer 25

Obscuration: Widespread Dust

Question 26

SQ

Answer 26

Other Weather: Squall

Question 27

FC

Answer 27

Other Weather: Funnel Cloud

Question 28

SS

Answer 28

Other Weather: Sandstorm

Question 29

+FC

Answer 29

Other Weather: Tornado/Waterspout

Question 30

DS

Answer 30

Dust storm

Question 31

PO

Answer 31

Well Developed Dust/Sand Whirls

Question 32

TEMPO

Answer 32

Temporary Group: Used for any wind, visibility, weather, or sky conditions which are expected to last for less than 1/2 hour at a time and occur during less than half of the forecasted period. TEMPO followed by 4 digit number indicating beginning and ending hour during which conditions expected.

Question 33

BECMG

Answer 33

Becoming Group: used when a gradual change in conditions is expected over a longer time period (usually 2 hours). BECMG followed by 4 digit number marking the expected start and end time of the change.

Question 34

FM

Answer 34

From Group: Used when a rapid change, usually occurring in less than one hour, is expected. FM followed by a 4 digit number signifying the hour and minute the change is expected to start.

Question 35

PROB

Answer 35

Probable: structured PROB(2 digit percentage) (4 digit beginning and ending hour of the expected precipitation or thunderstorm)

Question 36

WS

Answer 36

Wind Shear: Structured WS(3 digit number indicating altitude)/(5 digit number indicating wind direction and speed)

Question 37

SM

Answer 37

Visibility in statute miles. ie: 5SM=visibility is 5 statute miles.

Question 38

SKC

Answer 38

Sky clear

Question 39

BKN

Answer 39

Sky condition broken (lowest broken or overcast layer or vertical visibility into a complete obscuration is the ceiling)

Question 40

SCT

Answer 40

Sky condition scattered.

Question 41

OVC

Answer 41

Sky condition overcast (lowest broken or overcast layer or vertical visibility into a complete obscuration is the ceiling)

Question 42

VV

Answer 42

Vertical Visibility: when sky is obscured by a surface based phenomenon.

Question 43

P

Answer 43

Used before visibility to indicate said visibility is more than stated. ie P6SM= visibility is greater than 6 statute miles.