METAR and SYNOP

Quick introduction manual

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This manual
This manual servers as a quick introduction to the METAR and SYNOP messages.
It contaions examples of METAR and SYNOP coding using the METAR and SYNOP forms
from the SKY-IMS software. In each example the current meteorological situations is
described on the first page followed by screenshots, notes calculated values and on the final
page the finished message.

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Innehåll
This manual...............................................................................................................................2
1 METAR Encoding examples.................................................................................................6
Exemple No. 1:.....................................................................................................................6
SITUATION:....................................................................................................................6
Calculated variables:.........................................................................................................6
Final report:.......................................................................................................................6
Exemple No. 2:.....................................................................................................................8
SITUATION:....................................................................................................................8
Calculated variables:.........................................................................................................8
Final Message :.................................................................................................................8
Exemple No. 3:...................................................................................................................10
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................10
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................10
Final report:.....................................................................................................................10
Exemple No. 4:...................................................................................................................11
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................11
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................12
Final message:.................................................................................................................12
Exemple No. 5:...................................................................................................................13
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................13
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................14
Final Message:................................................................................................................14
Exemple No. 6:...................................................................................................................15
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................15
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................16
Final message:.................................................................................................................16
Exemple No. 7:...................................................................................................................17
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................17

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 Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................18
Final message:.................................................................................................................18
Exemple No. 8:...................................................................................................................19
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................19
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................20
Final message:.................................................................................................................20
Exemple No. 9:...................................................................................................................21
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................21
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................22
Final message:.................................................................................................................22
Exemple No. 10:.................................................................................................................23
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................23
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................24
Final message:.................................................................................................................24
2 SYNOP encoding examples.................................................................................................26
Exemple No. 1:...................................................................................................................26
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................26
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................26
Final message:.................................................................................................................26
Exemple No. 2:...................................................................................................................28
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................28
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................28
Final message:.................................................................................................................28
Exemple No. 3:...................................................................................................................30
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................30
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................30
Final message:.................................................................................................................30
Exemple No. 4:...................................................................................................................32
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................32
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................32

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 Final message:.................................................................................................................32
Exemple No. 5:...................................................................................................................34
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................34
Data for 06:00 UTC........................................................................................................34
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................34
Final Report:...................................................................................................................34
Exemple No. 6:...................................................................................................................36
SITUATION:..................................................................................................................36
Calculated variables:.......................................................................................................36
Final message:.................................................................................................................36

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1 METAR Encoding examples
Exemple No. 1:
SITUATION:
High pressure zone with
Wind Variable direction, speed 2 knots
Visibility 35 km
Clouds 4/8 of Ci and Cs, cloud base 20 000 ft CAVOK
Phenomena none
Measured pressure 1000.5 hPa
Barometer temperature: 25˚C
Dry thermometer 31.0˚C
Wet thermometer 25.5˚C
Recent weather No significant recent weather for aviation
TREND forecast NOSIG
Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Pressure at barometer level 996.4 hPa
QNH 1010.61 hPa
Water vapour pressure 28.2 hPa
Relative humidity 62.8 %
Dew point 23.1 °C
QFF 1009.7 hPa

Final report:
METAR GMFF 180835Z VRB02KT CAVOK 31/23 Q1010 NOSIG =

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Exemple No. 2:
SITUATION:
Shallow summer low pressure area , with
Wind North-east, 5 knots
Visibility 35 km
Clouds 3/8 of Cu, cloud base 4 500 ft
Phenomena none
Measured pressure 1000.5 hPa
Barometer temperature: 25˚C
Dry thermometer 31.0˚C
Wet thermometer 25.5˚C
Recent weather No significant recent weather for aviation
TREND forecast NOSIG

Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Pressure at barometer level 996.4 hPa
QNH 1010.61 hPa
Water vapour pressure 28.2 hPa
Relative humidity 62.8 %
Dew point 23.1 °C
QFF 1009.7 hPa

Final Message :
METAR GMFF 180859Z 31005KT 9999 SCT045 31/23 Q1010 NOSIG =

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Exemple No. 3:
SITUATION:
Warm Front, rain
Wind east, 15 knots, gust 26 knots
Visibility 7 km
Clouds 4/8 of Sc, cloud base 3000 ft
6/8 of Sc, cloud base 5 500 ft
8/8 As, cloud base 8 000 ft
Phenomena Moderate rain
Measured pressure 995.0 hPa
Barometer temperature: 22˚C
Dry thermometer 24.4˚C
Wet thermometer 22.1˚C
Recent weather No significant recent weather for aviation
TREND forecast None
Wind shear All runways
Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Pressure at barometer level 991.4 hPa
QNH 1005.56 hPa
Water vapour pressure 24.7 hPa
Relative humidity 81.1 %
Dew point 21.0 °C
QFF 1004.9 hPa

Final report:
METAR GMFF 180922Z 27015G26KT 7000 RA SCT030 BKN055 OVC080 24/21 Q1005
WS ALL RWY=

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Exemple No. 4:
SITUATION:
High pressure area, cold (freezing) fog

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 Wind calm
Visibility 200 m
RVR RWY 09, 250 m, no changes
RWY27, 250 m, no changes
Clouds Cloud base not visibile, vertical
visibility 50 ft
Phenomena Freezing fog
Measured pressure 1013.0 hPa
Barometer temperature: 25.4˚C
Dry thermometer -7.4˚C
Wet thermometer -7.5˚C
Recent weather No significant recent weather for aviation
TREND forecast None

Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Pressure at barometer level 1008.8 hPa
QNH 1023.13 hPa
Water vapour pressure 3.2 hPa
Relative humidity 96.9 %
Dew point -7.8 °C
QFF 1024.3 hPa

Final message:
METAR GMFF 181337Z 00000KT 0200 R09/0250N R27/0250N FZFG VV000 M07/M08
Q1023=

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Exemple No. 5:
SITUATION:
Low pressure area, occluded front, rain

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 Wind North, 9 knots
Visibility 15 km
Clouds 1/8 of Cu, cloud base 2000 ft
5/8 of Sc, cloud base 4 500 ft
8/8 of As, cloud base 9000 ft
Phenomena Light rain
Measured pressure 1008,4 hPa
Barometer temperature: 25.4˚C
Dry thermometer 27.2˚C
Wet thermometer 25,9˚C
Recent weather Moderate rain
TREND forecast None

Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Pressure at barometer level 1004.2 hPa
QNH 1018.5 hPa
Water vapour pressure 32.3 hPa
Relative humidity 89.7 %
Dew point 25.4 °C
QFF 1017.7 hPa
Final Message:
METAR GMFF 181402Z 36009KT 9999 -RA FEW020 BKN045 OVC090 27/25 Q1018
RERA=

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Exemple No. 6:
SITUATION:
Low pressure area, cold front, thunderstorms

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 Wind Variable, 12 knots
Visibility 6 km
Clouds 4/8 of Cb, cloud base 4 500 ft
7/8 of Sc, cloud base 5 600 ft
Phenomena Thunderstorm with rain
Measured pressure 995.0 hPa
Barometer temperature: 25.1˚C
Dry thermometer 28.0˚C
Wet thermometer 23.1˚C
Recent weather Thunderstorms with hail
TREND forecast BECMG 27010KT 9999 NSW
FEW045CB SCT060
Wind shear All runways

Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Pressure at barometer level 990.9 hPa
QNH 1005.05 hPa
Water vapour pressure 24.3 hPa
Relative humidity 64.5 %
Dew point 20.7 °C
QFF 1004.3 hPa
Final message:
METAR GMFF 181421Z VRB12KT 6000 TSRA SCT045CB BKN056 28/21 Q1005
RETSGR WS ALL RWY BECMG 27010KT 9999 NSW FEW045CB SCT060=

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Exemple No. 7:
SITUATION:
Mild winter low pressure area, mist

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 Wind East, direction varying between 060˚
and 120˚
5 knots
Visibility Predominant 5 km,
Minimum 2.2km in direction south-east
Clouds 2/8 of St, cloud base 200 ft
7/8 of St, cloud base 800 ft
Phenomena Mist
Measured pressure 1025.0 hPa
Barometer temperature: 20.1˚C
Dry thermometer 0.0˚C
Wet thermometer -0.8˚C
Recent weather Not significant for aviation
TREND forecast
Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Pressure at barometer level 1021.6 hPa
QNH 1036.11 hPa
Water vapour pressure 5.1 hPa
Relative humidity 83.7 %
Dew point -2.4 °C
QFF 1036.9 hPa

Final message:
METAR GMFF 210633Z 09005KT 060V120 5000 2200SE BR FEW002
BKN008 00/M02 Q1036=

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Exemple No. 8:
SITUATION:
High pressure area ; summer ; haze

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 Wind Variable, 2 knots
Visibility 5 km
Clouds 2/8 of Ci, cloud base 20 000 ft
Phenomena Haze
Measured pressure 1000.0 hPa
Barometer temperature: 25.4˚C
Dry thermometer 32.4˚C
Wet thermometer 25.1˚C
Recent weather Not significant for aviation
TREND forecast NOSIG

Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Pressure at barometer level 995.9 hPa
QNH 1010.04 hPa
Water vapour pressure 26.0 hPa
Relative humidity 53.5 %
Dew point 21.8 °C
QFF 1009.1 hPa

Final message:
METAR GMFF 210655Z VRB02KT 5000 HZ NSC 32/22 Q1010 NOSIG =

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Exemple No. 9:
SITUATION:
High pressure zone ; winter ; Fog; Snow grains

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 Wind 110˚, 3 knots
Visibility 750 m
RVR RWY09: min 800m, max 1400 m, falling
RWY27, min 800m max 1400m´, falling
Clouds 8/8 of St, cloud base 200 ft
Phenomena Freezing fog
Mild snow grains
Measured pressure 1013.4 hPa
Barometer temperature: 20.4˚C
Dry thermometer -3.1˚C
Wet thermometer -3.3˚C
Recent weather Not significant for aviation
TREND forecast NOSIG
Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Pressure at barometer level 1010.0 hPa
QNH 1024.37 hPa
Water vapour pressure 4.5 hPa
Relative humidity 95.2 %
Dew point -3.8 °C
QFF 1025.3 hPa

Final message:
METAR GMFF 210722Z 11003KT 0750 R09/0800V1400D R27/0800V1400D FZFG -SG
OVC002 M03/M04 Q1024 NOSIG =

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Exemple No. 10:
SITUATION:
Warm front ; winter ; freezing rain
Wind 080˚, 5 knots
Visibility 2800 m
Clouds 5/8 of St, cloud base 400 ft
8/8 of St, cloud base 600 ft
Phenomena Mild freezing rain
Mist
Measured pressure 1001.3 hPa
Barometer temperature: 20.5˚C
Dry thermometer -0.1˚C
Wet thermometer -0.5˚C
Recent weather Not significant for aviation
Runway state RWY09: Entire runway covered with
melting snow at a depth of 1 mm
Friction coefficient 0.42
TREND forecast
Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Pressure at barometer level 998.0 hPa
QNH 1012.15 hPa
Water vapour pressure 5.6 hPa
Relative humidity 91.9 %
Dew point -1.3 °C
QFF 1012.9 hPa
Final message:
METAR GMFF 210910Z 08005KT 2800 -FZRA BR BKN004 OVC006 M00/M01 Q1012
R09690142=

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2 SYNOP encoding examples
Exemple No. 1:
SITUATION:
High pressure area; summer
Wind East 8.7 knots
Visibility 15 km
Clouds No clouds
Phenomena No phenomena
Measured pressure 1016.2 hPa
Pressure tendecy Decreasing, when stationaty, -0.1 hPa
Dry thermometer 35.1˚C
Wet thermometer 25.4˚C
Recent weather Clear sky
Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Station level 117.0 m
Pressure at station level 1016.4 hPa
QNH 1029.6 hPa
Water vapour pressure 24.5 hPa
Low level water vapour pressure 32.0 hPa
Relative humidity 43.4 %
Dew point 20.8 °C
QFF 1030.6 hPa
Final message:
AAXX 21034
60141 42965 00909 10351 20208 40296 56001 =

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Exemple No. 2:
SITUATION:
High pressure area; sommer
Wind Variable 2 knots
Visibility 25 km
Clouds 4/8 of Ci and Cs, cloud base 20 000 ft
Phenomena No change in clouds
Measured pressure 1000.5 hPa
Pressure tendecy
Dry thermometer 31.0˚C
Wet thermometer 25.5˚C
Recent weather Cloud cover ½
Cloud cover < ½
Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Station level 117.0 m
Pressure at station level 1000.7 hPa
QNH 1014.7 hPa
Water vapour pressure 28.2 hPa
Low level water vapour pressure 16.7 hPa
Relative humidity 62.8 %
Dew point 23.1 °C
QFF 1013.8 hPa
Final message:
AAXX 21094
60141 42975 49902 10310 20231 40138 84006 333 84270 =

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Exemple No. 3:
SITUATION:
Shallow depression; summer
Wind North.east, 5 knots
Visibility 35 km
Clouds 3/8 of Cu, cloud base 4500 ft
Phenomena Clouds forming and developing
Measured pressure 1000.5 hPa
Pressure tendecy
Dry thermometer 31.0˚C
Wet thermometer 25.5˚C
Recent weather Cloud cover < ½
Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Station level 117.0 m
Pressure at station level 1005.2 hPa
QNH 1018.4 hPa
Water vapour pressure 21.8 hPa
Low level water vapour pressure 16.7 hPa
Relative humidity 62.8 %
Dew point 23.1 °C
QFF 1019.3 hPa
Final message:
AAXX 21094
60141 42681 33105 10310 20213 40184 83100 333 83845 =

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Exemple No. 4:
SITUATION:
Warm front, rain
Wind East, 15 knots , gust 25 knots
Visibility 7 km
Clouds 4/8 of Sc, cloud base 3000 ft
6/8 of Sc, cloud base 5500 ft
8/8 of As, cloud base 8000 ft
Phenomena Moderate rain
Measured pressure 995.0 hPa
Pressure tendecy
Dry thermometer 24.4˚C
Wet thermometer 22.1˚C
Recent weather Rain, Cloud cover > ½
Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Station level 117.0 m
Pressure at station level 995.2 hPa
QNH 1008.5 hPa
Water vapour pressure 24.7 hPa
Low level water vapour pressure 5.8 hPa
Relative humidity 81.1 %
Dew point 20.9 °C
QFF 1009.2 hPa
Final message:
AAXX 21094
60141 41557 82715 10244 20209 40085 76362 8652/ 333 84630 86650 88458 =

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Exemple No. 5:
SITUATION:
High pressure area ; winter ; fog
Wind Calm
Visibility 200 m
Clouds Cloud base hidden, vertical visbility 50 ft
Phenomena Fog
Measured pressure 1013.0 hPa
Pressure tendecy Stationary
Dry thermometer -7.4˚C
Wet thermometer -7.5˚C
Recent weather Fog, Snow
Data for 06:00 UTC
Minimum temperature -8.2 ˚C
Soil state Wet
Total precipitation 24 h 6.0 mm
Sunshine duration 1 hour
Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Station level 117.0 m
Pressure at station level 1013.3 hPa
QNH 1027.4 hPa
Water vapour pressure 3.2 hPa
Water vapour low pressure 0.1 hPa
Relative humidity 96.9 %
Dew point -7.8 °C
QFF 1028.6 hPa
Final Report:
AAXX 22064
60210 41002 90000 11074 21078 40286 54000 74974 333 21082 89/00 555 00097 21082
33010 4////=

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Exemple No. 6:
SITUATION:
Low pressure area ; cold front ; thunderstorms
Wind East 12 knots
Visibility 6 km
Clouds 5/8 of Cb, cloud base 4 500 ft
8/8 of Sc, cloud base 5 600 ft
Phenomena Moderate thunderstorms with rain
Measured pressure 995.0 hPa
Pressure tendecy
Dry thermometer 28.0˚C
Wet thermometer 23.1˚C
Recent weather Thunderstorm with hail, Cloud cover > ½
Calculated variables:
Barometer Altitude 119.0 m
Station level 117.0 m
Pressure at station level 995.2 hPa
QNH 1009.2 hPa
Water vapour pressure 24.3 hPa
Water vapour low pressure 13.4 hPa
Relative humidity 64.4 %
Dew point 20.7 °C
QFF 1008.4 hPa
Final message:
AAXX 22094
60210 41656 82712 10280 20207 40084 79592 883// 333 85945 88650 =

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