The Aviation Weather Center delivers consistent, timely and accurate weather information for the world airspace system. They are a team of highly skilled people dedicated to work with customers and partners to enhance safe and efficient flight.
TAF: The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast is one of the most prominent and widely accepted
forecasting tools for flight planning.
METAR: Aerodrome Routine Meteorological Report
SPECI: Special Meteorological Report
The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), Aerodrome Routine Meteorological Report (METAR), and irregularly issued Special Meteorological Report (SPECI) are internationally standardized reports intended to ensure an orderly flow of air traffic.
Abbreviations
ANNEX 3 A regulation for Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation issued by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) AMD Amended
BECMG Becoming (used in TREND and TAF code)
BKN Broken (5–7/8 cloud cover; used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
BL Blowing (used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
BR An abbreviation of the French word “brume”, standing for “mist” (used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
CAVOK Clouds and visibility OK (used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
CB Cumulonimbus (used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
COR Corrected (used in METAR, SPECI, and TAF code)
DR Drifted (used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
DRSA Drifted Sand (used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
ETA Estimated Time Arrival
ETD Estimated Time Departure
FEW Few (1–2/8 cloud cover; used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
FG Fog (used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
FM From (used in TREND and TAF code)
Ft Feet
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization
IFR Instrumental flight rules: a set of regulations under which a pilot operates WMO World Meteorological Organization
Kts Knots
METAR Meteorological Aviation Routine Weather Report
NORTAF TAF verification scheme developed by the Northern European Meteorological Institutes
NSC No significant clouds (used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
NSW No Significant Weather
OVC Overcast (8/8 cloud cover; used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
PROB Probability followed by percentage value (used in TAF code)
QNH The value of the atmospheric pressure adjusted to mean sea in an aeronautical code Q code
REG QNH The forecast value of the atmospheric pressure adjusted to mean sea level for an altimeter setting region in an aeronautical code Q code
RMK Remarks (used in METAR and SPECI code)
RVR Runway visual range
RWY Runway
SCT Scattered (3–4/8 cloud cover; used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code) Atmosphere 2021, 12, 138 22 of 22
SPECI Special Meteorological Report, issued when an operationally significant deterioration or improvement in airport weather conditions is observed
SYNOP Synoptic code used for reporting weather observations
TAF Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
TCU Towering cumulus (used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
TEMPO Temporary (used in TREND and TAF code)
Td Dew point temperature
TREND A form of the landing forecast (used in METAR and SPECI code)
U/D/N Up/down/neutral
UTC Coordinated universal time
VA Volcanic ash (used in METAR, SPECI, TREND, and TAF code)
VFR Visual flight rules: a set of regulations under which a pilot operates WMO World Meteorological Organization
Weather for Pilots – 01 – Layers of the Atmosphere
Weather for Pilots – 02 – Air Masses and Fronts
Weather for Pilots – 03 – Stablity & Hazards
Weather for Pilots – 04 – Introduction to Weather Products