What is sky condition in METAR?

Sky Conditions: BKN – Broken cloud layer 5/8ths to 7/8ths. CB – Cumulonimbus. CLR – Sky clear at or below 12,000AGL. FEW – Few cloud layer 0/8ths to 2/8ths.

How much sky is covered when the METAR reports SCT?

The cloud cover will either be FEW (1/8 TO 2/8 cloud coverage), SCT (SCATTERED, 3/8 TO 4/8 cloud coverage, BKN (5/8-7/8 coverage), and OVC (OVERCAST, 8/8 Coverage). An indefinite ceiling caused by fog, rain, snow, etc., will require a designator as VV (Vertical Visibility).

What are the types of visibility in METAR?

Reporting Prevailing Visibility: Surface (horizontal) visibility is reported in METAR reports in terms of statute miles and increments thereof; e.g., 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, 1, 1 1/8, etc.

When no clouds below 12000 feet are reported at an automated station How will it appear in the METAR?

As BKN or broken cloud cover. 20 . When no clouds below 12,000 feet are reported at an automated station how will it appear in the METAR? UNDT.

What are the different sky conditions?

Used in a forecast to describes the predominant/average sky condition based upon octants (eighths) of the sky covered by opaque (not transparent) clouds….

What is obscured sky cover?

(Also called obscured sky cover.) In U.S. weather observing practice, the designation for the sky cover when the sky is completely hidden by surface-based obscuring phenomena.

What is considered low cloud cover?

It is measured in eights (oktas) according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). For aviation, the altitude of cloud base for the lowest cloud with coverage ≥ 5 oktas (i.e. lowest broken or overcast clouds) is considered the ceiling (see Learning Goal 1d).

How is visibility reported in a METAR?

Prevailing visibility is defined as “the greatest visibility value that is reached within at least half the horizon circle or within at least half of the surface of the aerodrome. The visibility reported in the METAR should be assessed at a height of about 1.5 m above the ground at the observing site.

How is visibility reported?

Visibility and/or RVR are reported in routine and special reports using abbreviated plain language, or the Meteorological Terminal Air Report (METAR) or SPECI code; at aerodromes, visibility and RVR is also reported in abbreviated plain language in Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) transmissions.

What does a METAR report?

A typical METAR contains data for the temperature, dew point, wind direction and speed, precipitation, cloud cover and heights, visibility, and barometric pressure. The complement to METARs, reporting forecast weather rather than current weather, are TAFs. METARs and TAFs are used in VOLMET broadcasts.

Is METAR AGL or ASL?

Heights in METAR and TAF are always stated as height AGL. On the other hand, heights in graphic area forecasts (GFA) and PIREPs are normally stated as height ASL, since terrain heights are variable over the larger area covered.

How is vertical visibility reported in METAR weather report?

CB or TCU is added as needed. Vertical visibility (VV) is reported in hundreds of feet. Partially obscured is reported as SKC ( if no cloud) or is included with the first layer. Observed values with 0.5 degrees are rounded up to the next warmer degree.

When is the sky obscured by weather phenomena?

The portion of the sky (including higher clouds, the moon, or stars) hidden by weather phenomena either surface-based or aloft. If 8/8ths of the sky is obscured the obscuration is considered a total obscuration. If only a portion of the sky is obscured, the obscuration is considered a partial obscuration.

How long are METAR weather reports valid for?

T02940167 gives us more accurate temperature and dew point information: Temperature of 29.4ºC and dew point of 16.7ºC. How long are METARs valid for? METARs in the U.S. are valid for one hour and are issued hourly.

What does CAVOK stand for in METAR weather report?

CAVOK stands for “ceiling and visibility OK” and means no cloud below 5000 feet, no cumulonimbus (CB) or towering cumulus (TCU) at any level, and visibility 10 KM/6 SM or greater. What is the meaning of VC in METARs?