AIM

8/15/19

7

−

1

−

67

Meteorology

(10)

Lightning. When lightning is observed

at a manual location, the frequency and location is
reported.

When cloud

−

to

−

ground lightning is detected by an

automated lightning detection system, such as
ALDARS:

[a]

Within 5 nautical miles (NM) of the

Airport Reference Point (ARP), it will be reported as
“TS” in the body of the report with no remark;

[b]

Between 5 and 10 NM of the ARP, it

will be reported as “VCTS” in the body of the report
with no remark;

[c]

Beyond 10 but less than 30 NM of the

ARP, it will be reported in remarks as “DSNT”
followed by the direction from the ARP.

EXAMPLE

−

LTG DSNT W or LTG DSNT ALQDS

(11)

Beginning/Ending of Precipitation/

TSTMS.

(12)

TSTM Location MVMT.

(13)

Hailstone Size (GR).

(14)

Virga.

(15)

VRB CIG (height).

(16)

Obscuration.

(17)

VRB Sky Condition.

(18)

Significant Cloud Types.

(19)

Ceiling Height 2nd Location.

(20)

PRESFR PRESRR.

(21)

Sea

−

Level Pressure.

(22)

ACFT Mishap (not transmitted).

(23)

NOSPECI.

(24)

SNINCR.

(25)

Other SIG Info.

(c) Additive and Automated Maintenance

Data.

(1)

Hourly Precipitation.

(2)

3

−

 and 6

−

Hour Precipitation Amount.

(3)

24

−

Hour Precipitation.

(4)

Snow Depth on Ground.

(5)

Water Equivalent of Snow.

(6)

Cloud Type.

(7)

Duration of Sunshine.

(8)

Hourly Temperature/Dew Point

(Tenths).

(9)

6

−

Hour Maximum Temperature.

(10)

6

−

Hour Minimum Temperature.

(11)

24

−

Hour Maximum/Minimum

Temperature.

(12)

Pressure Tendency.

(13)

Sensor Status.

PWINO
FZRANO
TSNO
RVRNO
PNO
VISNO

Examples of METAR reports and explanation:

METAR KBNA 281250Z 33018KT 290V360
1/2SM R31/2700FT SN BLSN FG VV008 00/M03
A2991 RMK  RAE42SNB42

METAR

aviation routine weather 

. . . . . .

report

KBNA

Nashville, TN

. . . . . . . .

281250Z

date 28

th

, time 1250 UTC

. . . . . .

(no modifier)

This is a manually generated

. .

report, due to the absence of
“AUTO” and “AO1 or AO2”
in remarks

33018KT

wind three three zero at one

. . . . .

eight

290V360

wind variable between

. . . . . .

two nine zero and three six
zero

1/2SM

visibility one half

. . . . . . . .

R31/2700FT

Runway three one RVR two

. . .

thousand seven hundred

SN

moderate snow

. . . . . . . . . . .

BLSN FG

visibility obscured by 

. . . . .

blowing snow and fog

VV008

indefinite ceiling eight

. . . . . . .

hundred

00/M03

temperature zero, dew point

. . . . . . .

 minus 

three

A2991

altimeter two niner niner one

. . . . . . . .

RMK

remarks

. . . . . . . .