1. The two sections of METAR/SPECI are:
Answer
2. Place the following groups in the order in which they occur in METAR/SPECI:
_____ date and time of report _____ sky condition _____ visibility _____ type of report _____ present weather _____ report modifier _____ altimeter _____ wind _____ temperature and dew point _____ station identifier _____ additive data _____ RVR Answer
3. If an element does not occur or cannot be observed, it is:
a. marked missing b. estimated c. omitted from the report d. added from complementary data Answer
4. If SPECI criteria are met at the time of a routine METAR observation, it will be coded as:
a. METAR b. SPECI c. RSPECI d. RS Answer
5. The station identifier consists of:
a. 3 alphabetic characters b. 4 alphabetic characters c. a 3-digit code d. a 4-character numerical/alphabetic mix Answer
6. A METAR report for Kansas City (KMCI) is taken at 0555 CST (1155 UTC) on the 25th of October. Encode the first three groups of this observation.
Answer
7. What report modifier identifies an observation from a fully automated system with no human intervention or oversight?
a. ASOS b. AWOS c. COR d. AUTO Answer
8. Encode the following wind observations:
Direction Speed Gusts (deg) (kt) (kt) 63 14 _________________________ 107 22 _________________________ 241 35 52 _________________________ 306 103 155 _________________________ calm _________________________ Answer
9. A variable wind direction with a speed of 4 knots would be encoded as:
Answer
10. A variable wind direction with a speed of 14 knots and a mean direction of 290 degrees, varying from 270 to 360 degrees would be encoded as:
Answer
11. Encode the following visibility values (observed in statute miles):
1 ______________ 1¼ ______________ 2½ ______________ 4 ______________ 10 ______________ Answer
12. Encode the following runway visual range data:
runway RVR value (no.) (ft)06 700 ___________________________ 12 left 1200 ___________________________ 24 right 2400 ___________________________ Answer
13. Encode the following variable runway visual range data:
lowest highest runway reportable reportable (no.) (ft) (ft) 06 600 1000 _______________________ 12 right 800 1400 _______________________ 24 left 2000 2600 _______________________ Answer
14. Weather occurring at the point of observation or in the vicinity of the station shall be coded:
a. before the observed wind value b. in the body of the report c. in the remarks section of the report d. as described in Chapter 11 Answer
15. Weather observed but not occurring at the point of observation or in the vicinity of the station shall be coded:
a. before the observed wind value b. in the body of the report c. in the remarks section of the report d. as described in Chapter 11 Answer
16. A present weather obscuration shall be coded in the body of the report if surface visibility is:
a. less than 1 statute mile b. less than 3 statute miles c. less than 7 statute miles d. either IFR or LIFR Answer
17. METAR/SPECI shall contain no more than _____ present weather groups.
Answer
18. Which of the following are valid use of intensity or proximity qualifiers:
_____ +FC _____ +DS _____ +BLDU _____ -TSRA _____ BLSA _____ +SHRA _____ -BLSN _____ VCBLDU _____ -SS _____ +VCSH Answer
19. Which descriptors are used with mist (BR)?
Answer
20. Which descriptors may be used with fog (FG)?
Answer
21. The descriptors low drifting (DR) and blowing (BL) are only coded with which weather phenomena?
Answer
22. The descriptors shower(s) (SH) shall be coded only with what precipitation types?
Answer
23. Is "TSSH" a valid METAR coding?
Answer
24. Is "FZFG" a valid METAR coding?
Answer
25. Types of precipitation coded in a single present weather group shall be coded:
a. in order of decreasing dominance b. in order of increasing dominance c. in the sequence listed in Table 12-2 d. in the sequence freezing, frozen, liquid Answer
26. If the prevailing visibility is 7 statute miles or greater, which obscurations may be coded as present weather?
Answer
27. Encode the following cloud layers:
height amount (ft) (8ths) 200 1/8 _______________________________ 1200 3/8 _______________________________ 6500 5/8 _______________________________ 10000 7/8 _______________________________ 15000 8/8 _______________________________ Answer
28. A cloud layer coded as "SCT///" is used to indicate:
a. a scattered cloud layer with a missing height b. a scattered cloud layer below station level c. a scattered cloud layer above 12,000 feet AGL d. a scattered cirrus layer Answer
29. Explain the difference between SKC and CLR.
Answer
30. Which of the following are reportable values of sky cover height?
_____ 100 _____ 5400 _____ 350 _____ 6500 _____ 1200 _____ 11500 Answer
31. What two cloud types may be reported in the sky condition group of a METAR observation?
Answer
32. Encode the following temperature and dew point values:
Temperature Dew Point (deg C) (deg C) 12.1 6.9 _________________________ 7.0 -1.1 _________________________ 5.8 -0.2 _________________________ 5.8 missing _________________________ missing missing _________________________ Answer
33. Encode the following altimeter values:
30.12 inches ________________________ 29.89 inches ________________________ Answer
34. Time entries will use "hours and minutes" if the time reported occurs:
a. during the same hour the observation is taken b. anytime within 2 hours of observation time c. during an hour that is different from the observation time hour d. anytime (observer option) Answer
35. Weather phenomena which are beyond _____ statute miles from the point of observation are coded as "DSNT".
Answer
36. True or False:
All distance remarks are in statute miles. Answer
37. True or False:
Pre-eruption volcanic activity is always encoded in a METAR. Answer
38. Tornadic activity will be coded as the __________ remark after the "RMK" entry.
Answer
39. Briefly describe the difference between an AO1 and AO2 automated station?
Answer
40. Encode a peak wind remark for a wind of 280 degrees, 46 knots, that occurred at 22 minutes past the current hour.
Answer
41. Encode a wind shift remark for a wind shift that occurred at 30 minutes past the current hour due to a frontal passage.
Answer
42. Encode a tower visibility remark of 2 1/2 miles.
Answer
43. Encode a variable visibility remark for a visibility range of 1/4 mile to 1 3/4 miles.
Answer
44. Encode a sector visibility remark for a 1 mile visibility northwest of the point of observation.
Answer
45. Encode the following lightning observations as a remark:
frequency: type: location: 1 flash every 2 min cloud-to-cloud overhead ___________________ 4 flashes/minute in-cloud vicinity ___________________ 10 flashes/minute cloud-ground east ___________________ Answer
46. Remarks indicating the beginning and/or ending of precipitation are required on:
a. METAR observations only b. SPECI observations only c. both METAR and SPECI observations d. neither METAR nor SPECI observations Answer
47. Remarks indicating the beginning and/or ending of thunderstorms are required on:
a. METAR observations only b. SPECI observations only c. both METAR and SPECI observations d. neither METAR nor SPECI observations Answer
48. Encode a remark for a thunderstorm to the southwest of the point of observation that is moving northeast.
Answer
49. Encode a remark for the occurrence of hail measuring 2 inches in diameter.
Answer
50. Encode a remark indicating the occurrence of virga overhead.
Answer
51. Encode a remark for a ceiling varying between 800 feet and 1500 feet.
Answer
52. Encode a remark for a ground-based fog layer obscuring 3/4 of the sky.
Answer
53. Encode a remark for a variable sky condition based at 2500 feet that is reported as 3/8 coverage but varies between 3/8 and 5/8 coverage.
Answer
54. Encode a remark for the following significant cloud types:
cumulonimbus south of the point of observation moving north towering cumulus 5 miles north of the point of observation altocumulus castellanus northwest of the point of observation standing lenticular clouds overhead Answer
55. What is the remark for pressure rising rapidly and pressure falling rapidly.
Answer
56. Encode a remark that indicates that sea level pressure is 987.3 hectopascals.
Answer
57. If an observation is taken to document an aircraft mishap, how is it indicated on the observation form?
Answer
58. If no specials are taken at an observation point, how is this indicated in the METAR?
Answer
59. Encode a remark indicating that snow is increasing rapidly with 3 inches of new snow during the past hour and 8 inches on the ground.
Answer
60. Match the type of precipitation measured to the unit of measure (some answers may be used more than once):
_____ liquid precipitation a. 1.0 inch _____ water equivalent of solid b. 0.1 inch precipitation _____ solid precipitation c. 0.01 inch _____ snow depth Answer
61. Match the following precipitation codes to what they represent:
_____ hourly precip amount a. 70125 _____ 3 & 6 hour precip amounts b. 933036 _____ 24-hour precip amount c. P0000 _____ snow depth on the ground d. 60217 _____ water equivalent of snow e. 4/021 on the ground Answer
62. In the cloud types group (8/CLCMCH) a solidus "/" is encoded for:
a. no cloud is present for classification b. layers above an overcast c. missing cloud data d. no cloud is observed due to clear skies Answer
63. Encode additive data that indicates 104 minutes of sunshine during the previous day.
Answer
64. Encode the following hourly temperature and dew point information as additive data:
temperature dew point (ºC) (ºC) 10.3 1.3 ______________________________ 10.3 -1.3 ______________________________ -0.1 -8.3 ______________________________ Answer
65. Encode the following 6-hourly maximum and minimum temperatures as additive data:
maximum minimum temperature temperature (ºC) (ºC) 10.3 1.3 ______________________________ 10.3 -1.3 ______________________________ -0.1 -8.3 ______________________________ Answer
66. Encode the 24-hour maximum and minimum temperatures of 5.3C and -2.3C, respectively, as additive data.
Answer
67. Encode a 3-hourly pressure change was a steady increase of 4.6 hectopascals as additive data.
Answer
68. If the freezing rain sensor on an automated station is inoperative, how would it be encoded:
a. RVRNO b. PWINO c. PNO d. FZRANO Answer
1. body, remarks [12.3]
2. 3 date & time of report
9 sky condition
6 visibility
1 type of report
8 present weather
4 report modifier
11 altimeter
5 wind
10 temperature and dew point
2 station identifier
12 additive data
7 RVR [12.4]
3. c [12.5]
4. a [12.6.1]
5. b [12.6.2]
6. METAR_KMCI_251155Z [12.6.1, 12.6.2, 12.6.3]
7. d [12.6.4]
8. direction speed gust answer
63 deg 14 kt 06014KT
107 deg 22 kt 11022KT
241 deg 35 kt 52 kt 24035G52KT
306 deg 103 kt 155 kt 310103G155KT
calm 00000KT [12.6.5]
9. VRB04KT [12.6.5]
10. 29014KT 270V360 [12.6.5]
11. visibility answer
1 1SM
1¼ 1 1/4SM
2½ 2 1/2SM
4 4SM
10 10SM [12.6.6]
12. runway RVR answer
06 700 ft R06/0700FT
12 left 1200 ft R12L/1200FT
24 right 2400 ft R24R/2400FT [12.6.7a]
13. runway lo RVR hi RVR answer
06 600 ft 1000 ft R06/0600V1000FT
12 right 800 ft 1400 ft R12R/0800V1400FT
24 left 2000 ft 2600 ft R24L/2000V2600FT [12.6.7b]
14. b [12.6.8]
15. c [12.6.8]
16. c [12.6.8]
17. 3 [12.6.8]
18. Yes +FC Yes +DS
No +BLDU Yes -TSRA
Yes BLSA Yes +SHRA
No -BLSN Yes VCBLDU
No -SS No +VCSH [12.6.8a]
19. none [12.6.8b]
20. shallow (MI)
partial (PR)
patches (BC) [12.6.8b(1)]
21. dust (DU)
sand (SA)
snow (SN) [12.6.8b(2)]
22. rain (RA)
snow (SN)
ice pellets (PE)
small hail (GS)
large hail (GR) [12.6.8b(3)]
23. No [12.6.8b(4)]
24. Yes [12.6.8b(5)]
25. a [12.6.8c]
26. shallow fog (MIFG)
patches of fog (BCFG)
partial fog (PRFG) [12.6.8d(2)]
27. height amount answer
200 ft 1/8 FEW002
1200 ft 3/8 SCT012
6500 ft 5/8 BKN065
10000 ft 7/8 BKN100
15000 ft 8/8 OVC150 [12.6.9, Table 12-3]
28. b [12.6.9a]
29. SKC used for clear skies at manual stations
CLR used for no clouds indicated at or below 12,000 ft at an automated station
[12.6.9c]
30. Yes 100
No 350
Yes 1200
No 5400
Yes 6500
No 11500 [Table 12-4]
31. CB, TCU [12.6.9]
32. temperature dew point answer
12.1 6.9 12/07
7.0 -1.1 07/M01
5.8 -0.2 06/M00
5.8 missing 06/
missing missing not coded [12.6.10]
33. 30.12 inches A3012
29.89 inches A2989 [12.6.11]
34. c [12.7b]
35. 10 [12.7c]
36. False - automated lightning remarks are in nautial miles [12.7d]
37. False [12.7.1a]
38. first [12.7.1b]
39. AO1 - automated station with no precipitation discriminator
AO2 - automated station with a precipitation discriminator [12.7.1c]
40. PK_WND_28046/22 [12.7.1d]
41. WSHFT_30_FROPA [12.7.1e]
42. TWR_VIS_2_1/2 [12.7.1f]
43. VIS_1/4V1_3/4 [12.7.1g]
44. VIS_NW_1 [12.7.1h]
45. frequency type location answer
1 flash/2 min cloud-cloud overhead OCNL_LTGCC_OHD
4 flashed/min in-cloud vicinity FRQ_LTGIC_VC
10 flashes/min cloud-ground east CONS_LTGCG_E [12.7.1j, Table 12-5]
46. a [12.7.1k]
47. c [12.7.1l]
48. TS_SW_MOV_NE [12.7.1m]
49. GR_2_1/2 [12.7.1n]
50. VIRGA_OHD [12.7.1o]
51. CIG_008V015 [12.7.1p]
52. FG_BKN000 [12.7.1q]
53. SCT025_V_BKN [12.7.1r]
54. CB_S_MOV_N
TCU_N
ACC_NW
CLD TYPE_OVD, e.g., ACSL_OHD, CCSL_OHD [12.7.1s]
55. PRESRR PRESFR [12.7.1u]
56. SLP873 [12.7.1v]
57. (ACFT_MSHP) is included in the remarks [12.7.1w]
58. NOSPECI is included in the remarks [12.7.1x]
59. SNINCR_3/8 [12.7.1y]
60. liquid precipitation - c
water equivalent - c
solid precipitation - b
snow depth - a [Table 12-6]
61. hourly precip amount - c
3 and 6-hour precip amounts - d
24-hour precip amount - a
snow depth - e
water equivalent - b [12.7.2a]
62. b [12.7.2b]
63. 98104 [12.7.2c]
64. temperature dew point answer
10.3°C 1.3°C T01030013
10.3°C -1.3°C T01031013
-0.1°C -8.3°C T10011083 [12.7.2d]
65. max temp min temp answer
10.3°C 1.3°C 10103 20013
10.3°C -1.3°C 10103 21013
0.1°C -8.3°C 11001 21083 [12.7.2e,f]
66. 400531023 [12.7.2g]
67. 52046 [12.7.2h, Table 12-7, Table 12-8]
68. d [12.7.2i]