🌤️ METAR, TAF, NOTAM: Learning to read aviation weather

📡 METAR — Current weather Example: KJFK 071200Z 24015G25KT 10SM FEW025 SCT040 18/12 A3015 RMK AO2 🔍 Breaking it down: KJFK = 📍 New York JFK 071200Z = 📅 Day 07, ⏰ 12:00 UTC 24015G25KT = 💨 Wind 240° 15 knots, gusts 25 10SM = 👁️ Visibility 10 statute miles FEW025 SCT040 = ☁️ Clouds: FEW = few (1-2/8) 025 = at 2,500 feet SCT = scattered (3-4/8) 040 = at 4,000 feet Cloud coverage: ☀️ FEW — few 🌤️ SCT — scattered ⛅ BKN — broken (5-7/8) ☁️ OVC — overcast (8/8) 18/12 = 🌡️ +18°C, dew point +12°C A3015 = 📊 Altimeter 30.15 inHg RMK AO2 = 📝 Remarks (automated station) 🌧️ Weather codes Intensity: - = light (nothing) = moderate + = heavy Types: 🌧️ RA = rain 🌨️ SN = snow 🌫️ FG = fog ⚡ TS = thunderstorm 🌧️ SH = showers 🧊 GR = hail Examples: -RA = light rain +TSRA = heavy thunderstorm with rain FZFG = freezing fog 📅 TAF — Forecast Example: TAF EGLL 071100Z 0712/0818 24015KT 9999 FEW030 TEMPO 0712/0716 24020G30KT BECMG 0800/0802 28012KT Breaking it down: EGLL 071100Z = 📍 London Heathrow, ⏰ issued 07/11:00Z 0712/0818 = 📆 Valid: from 07/12Z to 08/18Z 24015KT 9999 FEW030 = 💨 Base forecast TEMPO 0712/0716 = ⚠️ Temporarily from 12Z to 16Z 💨 Wind increases to 20kt gusting 30 BECMG 0800/0802 = 🔄 Gradually from 00Z to 02Z 💨 Wind changes to 280° 12kt Important groups: ⚡ TEMPO — temporary (<1 hour) 📈 BECMG — gradual change 🎲 PROB30/40 — 30%/40% probability 🔄 FM — rapid change 📋 NOTAM — Operational info What you'll find: 🚧 Runway closures: RWY 24L CLOSED 0712120000-0712180000 📡 Equipment out of service: ILS RWY 06 U/S 🎪 Obstacles: CRANE 500FT HEIGHT ⚔️ Military zones: MILITARY EXERCISES PROHIBITED 🔍 Where to check? 🌐 aviationweather.gov — official 🌐 SimBrief — built-in planner 🌐 metar.vatsim.net — for VATSIM 📱 Aviation Weather (app)