JPATS Weather - NETC

JPATS AVIATION WEATHER BOOKLET
METAR KNPA 082255Z 27004KT 7/8SM R04/4500FT DZ FG SCT000 BKN011 OVC380
19/18 A2997 RMK VIS1/2V1 CIG009V013 FG SCT000 BKN TOPS 027 SLP149
Figure 6-6 — Wind Direction and Speed in METAR
Examples:
09008KT — Wind from 090 degrees at 08 knots.
270112KT — Wind from 270 degrees at 112 knots.
GUSTS — The letter “G” immediately following the average wind speed indicates the presence
of gusts, which are rapid fluctuations in speeds of peaks and lulls of 10 knots or more. Wind
speed for the most recent 10 minutes is used to determine gusts, and the maximum peak is
reported using two or three digits.
Examples:
14015G28KT — Wind from 140 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 28 knots.
33065G105KT — Wind from 330 degrees at 65 knots with gusts to 105 knots.
VARIABLE WINDS — If “VRB” is present in place of the wind direction, the direction cannot
be determined (used with wind speeds of 6 knots or less). If the wind direction is variable with
speeds greater than 6 knots, a special group will immediately follow the wind group using the
letter “V” between two directions (listed clockwise).
Example:
22015KT 180V250 — Winds from 220 degrees at 15 knots with direction varying from 180
degrees to 250 degrees.
CALM WINDS — Calm winds are reported as 00000KT.
Notes:
1. Peak winds and wind shifts will be reported in the RMK section of the METAR/SPECI.
(See remarks section later in this chapter.)
2. A sudden increase in wind speed of at least 16 knots and sustained at 22 knots or more for at
least 1 minute requires that Squalls (SQ) be reported in the present weather section of the
report.
Group 5: Visibility
METAR uses the prevailing visibility, reported in statute miles (SM) in the United States and in
meters at overseas stations (Figure 6-7). Any of the values in Table 6-1 may be used. Automated
stations may use “M” to indicate less than ¼ statute mile when reporting visibility (think of
“Minus”). If visibility is less than 7 statute miles, then the weather/obstruction to vision will also
be reported (using the abbreviations discussed later in the Present Weather section and shown in
Table 6-2).
METAR KNPA 082255Z 27004KT 7/8SM R04/4500FT DZ FG SCT000 BKN011 OVC380
19/18 A2997 RMK VIS1/2V1 CIG009V013 FG SCT000 BKN TOPS 027 SLP149
Figure 6-7 — Visibility in METAR
Version 3.2/Dec 08 6-5