Aviation Meteorological Services

TAF & METAR/SPECI Reference Card

This reference card contains selected TAF and METAR /SPECI information to help
users gain a better understanding of aerodrome forecasts and reports.

TAF (Aerodrome Forecast) is a statement Sample TAF & METAR

of meteorological conditions expected for the TAF AMD YPPH 020328Z 0203/0306
specified period of time in the airspace within 01010KT 9999 -SHRA SCT030
5 nautical miles of the aerodrome reference FM020400 25014KT 9999 -SHRA SCT030
point. FM030300 28020G30KT 9999 -SHRA SCT025
INTER 0203/0208 25015G25KT 4000 SHRA SCT015
METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) INTER 0208/0212 25015G25KT 6000 SHRA SCT020
is a routine aerodrome weather report issued at INTER 0304/0306 28025G35KT 4000 SHRA BKN015
half hourly time intervals. RMK
T 11 15 15 13 Q 1019 1017 1018 1019
SPECI (Special Meteorological Report) is a
SPECI YPPH 020500Z 27007KT 9999 FEW016
special aerodrome weather report issued only
SCT035 13/11 Q1018
when meteorological parameters meet specific
RMK RF00.4/006.2 HAZE.
criteria.
INTER 0500/0800 25015G25KT 4000 SHRA SCT015

Elements of TAF and METAR/SPECI

AUTO will be included when a METAR/SPECI Air temperature (and dewpoint temperature in
contains only automated observations. METAR/SPECI) are given in degrees Celsius in
a two-digit group, rounded to the nearest whole
Wind is given in the format DDDSSKT where DDD
degree. Negative values are preceded by M
is the mean direction in degrees True rounded to
(minus), e.g. M03. In TAF, air temperature values
the nearest 10 degrees and SS is the mean speed
are preceded by the letter T. In METAR/SPECI,
in knots (KT).
the air temperature and dewpoint temperatures
The maximum gust will be given after the letter G if are given in the format TT/TdTd , where T is the air
it is forecast or observed to exceed the mean by 10 temperature and Td is the dewpoint temperature,
knots or more, e.g. 33028G40KT gives a mean wind e.g. 22/15.
direction of 330 degrees True, with a mean speed
of 28 knots and a maximum gust of 40 knots. QNH is given in hectopascals in a four figure group,
e.g. 1008, or 0998. QNH values are preceded by the
At selected aerodromes, an additional wind variation letter Q. QNH values in METAR/SPECI are rounded
group may also be included in METAR/SPECI when down to the whole hectopascal.
the wind direction varies by sixty degrees or more
during the sampling period used for the wind report. TAF3 -the inclusion of TAF3, following the forecast
For example, 150V220 indicates that the wind has QNH readings in the RMK section of the TAF,
varied between 150 and 220. indicates the presence of a TAF3 service. It may
also be followed by a VALID TL (till) and time stamp
Visibility is given in metres, in a four-figure group
indicating the cessation of the TAF3 service at
(e.g. 0500 = 500m, 2000 = 2000m) with 9999 being
aerodromes offering a limited service, i.e. TAF3
used to indicate visibility of 10 kilometres or more.
VALID TL 150600. Refer to the TAF3 brochure for
In METAR/SPECI, two groups may be reported more information.
when visibility is not the same in different
directions; the prevailing visibility first, then the TAF issue time and METAR/SPECI report time
minimum visibility and its direction (using one of the is given in the format DDHHMMZ. For example,
eight points of the compass) from the observing 171655Z indicates an issue time of 1655UTC on the
station, e.g. 8000 2000NE. 17th day of the month.
 Weather Information (CB) and towering cumulus (TCU)
Did You Know? when not included in the above.
In TAF, the four temperature Prefix Weather Intensity Cloud type is not given except for
and QNH values are point + Heavy CB and TCU.
forecasts for HH, HH+3,
no Weather is included in a forecast
HH+6 and HH+9 where HH Moderate
prefix or report using the abbreviations
is the commencement of the
Light in the table (left). Examples are:
TAF validity. –
BCFG for fog patches.
Users should use a linear Code Weather Descriptor
interpolation to determine the SHRA for moderate showers
BC Patches of rain.
forecast value between these
BL Blowing Intensity is indicated for
points.
DR Drifting precipitation, dust storms,
sandstorms and funnel clouds
Cloud Information DL Distant lightning
(tornados and water spouts), by
Cloud Amount FZ Freezing prefixing the weather groups as
Code
MI Shallow shown in these examples:
FEW Few (1 to 2 oktas)
PR Partial +TSRA for thunderstorm
SCT Scattered (3 to 4 oktas)
with heavy rain showers.
BKN Broken (5 to 7 oktas) SH Showers
DZ for moderate drizzle.
OVC Overcast (8 oktas) TS Thunderstorm

NSC Nil Significant cloud

VC in the Vicinity Common Abbreviations
Code Weather Phenomenon
NCD Nil cloud detected (in BECMG Becoming
AUTO reports only) BR Mist
CAVOK Cloud and visibility and
DU Dust weather ok
A TAF is normally issued half an DS Duststorm FM From
hour to two hours prior to the
start of the validity period. DZ Drizzle INTER Intermittent variations –
Validity period for a TAF is given FC Funnel cloud periods < 30 mins in a hour
in the format DDHH/DDHH, e.g. FG Fog MOD Moderate
1718/1900 indicates a validity of FU Smoke PROB30 30% chance of forecast
thirty hours from 1800UTC on
the 17th. GR Hail conditions occurring

Cloud amount is forecast or GS Small hail/snow pellets PROB40 40% chance of forecast
reported using the abbreviations HZ Haze conditions occurring
above. RMK (remark) in TAF precedes
PL Ice pellets
Cloud information in TAF and information on turbulence (if
PO Dust devil
METAR/SPECI is given in the forecast), temperatures, QNH and
order of lowest to highest in RA Rain TAF3 (when applicable)
accordance with the following SA Sand SEV Severe
rules:
SG Snow grains TEMPO Temporary variations –
1st group is the lowest layer
regardless of amount. 2nd group
SN Snow periods of 30 mins to < 60 mins
is the next layer covering more SQ Squall Z Appended at the end of issue
than two eighths of sky. 3rd SS Sandstorm and validity times to signify UTC
group is the next layer covering (Coordinated Universal Time)
more than 4 eighths of sky. VA Volcanic ash
More abbreviations can be found
Extra groups - cumulonimbus UP Unidentified precipitation in the AIP Book

The information in this publication is provided for reference only to assist in

the interpretation of TAF and METAR/SPECI. Comprehensive educational
resources can be found at www.bom.gov.au/aviation/knowledge-centre.
For flight planning purposes, users should refer to Airservices Australia’s
Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP).
© Commonwealth of Australia, 17 May 2021