Aviation Weather Reports and Forecasts Explained | METAR TAF ATIS D-ATIS

An explanation of a Meteorological Aviation Report (METAR), Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), and Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) are given along with abbreviations encountered in each report.
There is also an explanation of symbols and where to find more information to decode reports. How to find each type of weather report is given also.
For help decoding METARs and TAFs go here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/METAR
This can be used in Microsoft Flight Simulator and in the real world.
#ATIS #METAR #TAF #D-ATIS #aviationweather #learntofly #groundschool #PPL
For Microsoft Flight Simulator - PC and XBOX

[@exiletsj2570]

I swear this guy reads my mind, I was going to look this up tomorrow.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Truth be known, I somehow only read your mind.

[@exiletsj2570]

@@thecorporatepilotdad I’m thinking of a number between 1 and 3...

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@exiletsj2570 so much pressure...2?

[@TBizzleII]

Thank you very much for this video. Just last week, I was trying to figure out what the G meant in the METAR and after 3 or 4 Google searches, I finally found out it was wind gusts.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Yep it sure does. And if you ever see M1/4 vs 1/4, the M means minus most of the time but in that case in means visibility less than 1/4 mile. That's a good day to stay home. Too bad I don't get to decide that. If it's legal to go, we go (with some exceptions and we still have the final say).

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Many people asked for a METAR/TAF video and I threw in some extra info such as where to get reports and ATIS. In case it was too fast, to estimate cloud height = (SFC TEMP(C) - DEW POINT(C)) / 2.5. Multiply that answer by 1,000 to get the approximate ceiling in feet AGL.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

Now this is an Outstanding explanation of Metars and TAFS Great Job! 47 years ago yesterday I earned my private Pilot Certificate. back then we had a whole different weather reporting system that was much simpler to interpret but limited due to tele type band with. Today with the technology we have available there is no need for the stupid code that is used with metars and TAFS just write it out! and decode it! why make it so complicated? I can give you the back story of why it is so complicated!

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

I would love to hear more about it. I remember when DUATS was a thing. My level of amazement went through the roof when I saw that new technology. Printing weather reports and taking them on the flight was so amazing.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

@@thecorporatepilotdad I was the 674 th person to sign up on DUATs the day it open up. I happen to be on a trip and stopped in Jacksonville, FL

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Well, to be cool also, I have a very early number on Fltplan.com!

[@Poseidon6363]

Brilliant, thank you,

[@jasonbirnie977]

Really helpful video. Thank you!

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

You are welcome.

[@Guatywaves]

This was exactly what I needed thank you

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

I am glad you found this video. It doesn't get a lot of attention because METARs and TAFs are not the most exciting part of aviation. If you're interested, here is a similar type of video on winds aloft: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYeTnYyOor6Je5I

[@greenesyt563]

Thanks so much

[@snatr]

Thanks! The METAR sea level (SLP) was a little confusing, but I think I got it 👍

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

SLP does not really serve a practical purpose. The altimeter will still be set by the first pressure reading before the RMKS section. I would have ignored it but I wanted to hit on it briefly because it was on the screen.

[@snatr]

@@thecorporatepilotdad Yeah. The best I can come up with when looking into it is that's it's more useful for meteorological reasons than aviation. I guess it might help when looking at previous readings for that purpose 🤔

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@snatr I've never used it. Like in the video, nice to know but not need to know information.

[@stu3tristan9x9]

this is absolutely awesome on this confusing topic thank you so much! One question on some airplanes MCDU I have seen BARO what is this?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Without seeing it, I believe it is used to set minimums based on barometric pressure for a DA or RAD (radar altimeter) which is used for a DH on an ILS.

[@Jw20000]

I've always wanted my helicopter license. But I'm dyslexic and this being about 0.5% of what you need to know has just taken me into brain fog 😂

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Reading these reports become easy. They are read before every flight and they quickly become quite simple.

[@Jw20000]

@@thecorporatepilotdad I imagine they do :) I hope in the training hours I can master them all. At least the weather in the uk changes by the minute from storm to solid sun so should see a good variety.

[@kimberlywentworth9160]

I just loaded the atis on my phone. I fly out of John Wayne airport, Cool I can just click it on my phone. Yea. No more having to listen to that robot lady.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

No more robot lady or her friend robot guy. It’s a great app. We use it enroute over the airplane WI-FI hours away from the destination.

[@texasvirgo1]

When flying heavy jets, how far out can you tune to arrival ATIS?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

In real world flying, at high altitudes we can get it 75-150 miles out. It depends on the terrain around the airport. Mountainous airports like Aspen with higher terrain around it not until maybe 30-50 miles out.

[@06L]

I was not too far with my homemade calculation: Difference between ground surface and dew point: 6.1 celcius times 4 = 24.4 (add a 0) = 2,440 feet!

[@06L]

Or 400 feet for each celcius...