Master METAR Abbreviations Quiz and Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Match the METAR abbreviations with their meanings:

CIG = ceiling CLR = clear DR = low drifting DS = duststorm

Match the METAR abbreviations with their definitions:

AUTO = fully automated report AO1 = automated station without precipitation discriminator BC = patches BKN = broken

Match the METAR abbreviations with their associated terms:

APCH = approach APRNT = apparent ATCT = airport traffic control tower ALP = airport location point

Match the METAR abbreviations with their weather phenomena:

CB = cumulonimbus cloud CC = cloud-cloud lightning CG = cloud-ground lightning CHI = cloud-height indicator Signup and view all the answers

Match the METAR abbreviations with their specific types:

ACSL = altocumulus standing lenticular cloud CCSL = cirrocumulus standing lenticular cloud CBMAM = cumulonimbus mammatus cloud MSHP = aircraft mishap Signup and view all the answers

Match the METAR abbreviations with their operational departments:

DOC = Department of Commerce DOD = Department of Defense DOT = Department of Transportation ACFT = aircraft mishap Signup and view all the answers

Match the METAR abbreviations with their light intensity indicators:

$ = maintenance check indicator <ul> <li>= heavy intensity</li> </ul> <ul> <li>= light intensity cd = candela</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

Match the METAR abbreviations with their conditions or state:

DSIPTG = dissipating CONS = continuous DR = low drifting DSNT = distant Signup and view all the answers

Match the following abbreviations with their meanings:

NCDC = National Climatic Data Center NWS = National Weather Service NOTAM = Notice to Airmen OFCM = Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology Signup and view all the answers

Match the following weather conditions with their abbreviations:

OCNL = occasional OVC = overcast SCT = scattered SKC = sky clear Signup and view all the answers

Match the following weather phenomena with their abbreviations:

PL = ice pellets RA = rain SG = snow grains SN = snow Signup and view all the answers

Match the following meteorological terms with their definitions:

RVR = Runway Visual Range PNO = precipitation amount not available PRES = pressure PWINO = precipitation identifier sensor not available Signup and view all the answers

Match the following directional abbreviations with their meanings:

NE = northeast NW = northwest SE = southeast S = south Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms related to data availability with their abbreviations:

SLPNO = sea-level pressure not available RVRNO = RVR system values not available NOSPECI = no SPECI reports are taken at the station RV = reportable value Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms related to precipitation with their abbreviations:

PCPN = precipitation PRESFR = pressure falling rapidly PRESRR = pressure rising rapidly PK WND = peak wind Signup and view all the answers

Match the following atmospheric conditions with their abbreviations:

OHD = overhead SH = shower(s) RV = reportable value PY = spray Signup and view all the answers

Match the following METAR abbreviations with their definitions:

DU = widespread dust DVR = dispatch visual range DZ = drizzle E = east, ended, estimated ceiling (SAO) Signup and view all the answers

Match the following METAR abbreviations with their meanings:

FAA = Federal Aviation Administration FC = funnel cloud FEW = few clouds FG = fog Signup and view all the answers

Match the following METAR terms with their descriptions:

FIBI = filed but impracticable to transmit FIRST = first observation after a break in coverage at manual station FMH-1 = Federal Meteorological Handbook No.1, Surface Weather FMH2 = Federal Meteorological Handbook No.2, Surface Synoptic Codes Signup and view all the answers

Match the following METAR abbreviations with their phenomena:

FRQ = frequent FROPA = frontal passage FT = feet FU = smoke Signup and view all the answers

Match the following METAR abbreviations with their conditions:

FZ = freezing FZRANO = freezing rain sensor not available G = gust GR = hail Signup and view all the answers

Match the following METAR terms with their meanings:

HLSTO = HLSTO hailstone HZ = haze GS = small hail and/or snow pellets IC = ice crystals, in-cloud lightning Signup and view all the answers

Match the following LETTER METAR abbreviations with their descriptions:

ICAO = International Civil Aviation Organization INCRG = increasing INTMT = intermittent KT = KNOTS Signup and view all the answers

Match the following METAR terms with their measurements:

L = left (with reference to runway designation) LAST = last observation before a break in coverage at a manual station LST = Local Standard Time LTG = lightning Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

METAR Abbreviations

METAR stands for Routine Weather Report, and is a standard format for aviation weather reporting at airports.
TAF stands for Terminal Aerodrome Forecast and is a forecast for a specific airport for a certain period of time.
$ indicates the start of visual range data
+ indicates heavy intensity
ACC is altocumulus castellanus, a type of cloud which rises to a significant height.
ACSL is altocumulus standing lenticular cloud, a lens-shape cloud that appears stationary and is often associated with mountain ranges.
AO1 indicates an automated weather station without a precipitation discriminator.
AO2 indicates an automated weather station with a precipitation discriminator.
APCH refers to the airport approach.
APRX means approximately.
AUTO indicates a fully automated report
BC denotes patches of clouds
BKN indicates broken cloud cover
BR means mist or fog.
C indicates the center of a runway.
CB indicates a cumulonimbus cloud, a vertically developed cloud that is associated with thunderstorms.
CC stands for cloud-cloud lightning, indicating lightning occurring between clouds and not reaching the ground.
cd indicates candela, a unit of luminous intensity.
CHI stands for cloud-height indicator, used to provide information about the height of the cloud layer.
CIG indicates ceiling, the lowest height of the cloud layer.
CLR means clear, indicating no clouds.
CONS indicates continuous
DOC stands for the Department of Commerce in the United States
DOT means the Department of Transportation in the United States.
DR indicates a low, drifting, or light cloud.
DS indicates a duststorm, a strong wind carrying dust.
DSIPTG indicates something is dissipating.
DSNT means distant.
DU indicates widespread dust.
DVR indicates the dispatch visual range.
E indicates east, or ended, or an estimated ceiling.
FAA stands for the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States.
FEW indicates few clouds.
FG means fog.
FIBI means filed but impracticable to transmit, indicating a delayed report when conditions change rapidly.
FIRST indicates the first observation after a break in coverage at a manual weather station.
FMH-1 is the Federal Meteorological Handbook No. 1, which covers surface weather observations and reports (METAR).
FMH2 is the Federal Meteorological Handbook No. 2, which covers surface synoptic codes, providing information about surface weather observations.
FRQ indicates frequent occurrences of a weather phenomenon.
FROPA indicates a frontal passage, the boundary between two air masses.
FT indicates feet, a unit of measure for altitude
FU indicates smoke.
FZ indicates freezing, referring to temperatures below freezing.
FZRANO indicates that the freezing rain sensor is not available.
G indicates a gust, a sudden increase in wind speed.
GR indicates hail.
GS indicates small hail and/or snow pellets.
HLSTO indicates a hailstone.
HZ indicates haze, a type of atmospheric condition characterized by reduced visibility due to suspended particles.
ICAO is the International Civil Aviation Organization.
INCRG indicates increasing intensity or amount
INTMT indicates intermittent occurrences of a weather phenomenon.
KT indicates knots, a unit of measure for speed
L indicates the left side of a runway. It can also indicate low intensity.
LAST indicates the last observation before a break in coverage at a manual weather station.
LST indicates local standard time.
LWR indicates lower.
M indicates minus or less than a certain value.
max indicates the maximum value of a measurement.
METAR is the routine weather report provided at fixed intervals.
MI indicates a shallow depth or layer.
min indicates the minimum value of a measurement.
MOV means moved/moving/movement
MT indicates mountains
N indicates north.
N/A means not applicable.
NCDC stands for the National Climatic Data Center.
NE indicates northeast.
NOS stands for the National Ocean Survey.
NOSPECI indicates that no SPECI reports are available.
NOTAM indicates a notice to airmen, providing important information for pilots.
NWS stands for the National Weather Service, which provides weather information.
OFCM stands for the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology, responsible for coordinating meteorological activities.
OHD means overhead.
OVC stands for overcast, meaning the sky is completely covered by clouds.
OVR means over.
P indicates a value greater than the highest reportable value.
PCPN means precipitation.
PL refers to ice pellets.
PNO means precipitation amount not available.
PO indicates dust/sand whirls (dust devils).
PRES means Pressure.
PRESFR indicates pressure falling rapidly.
PRESRR indicates pressure rising rapidly.
PWINO indicates the precipitation identifier sensor is not available.
PY indicates spray.
R indicates right (with reference to runway designation), or runway.
RA indicating rain.
RTD means routine delayed, which indicates a late observation.
RV means reportable value.
RVR stands for runway visual range, indicating the distance a pilot can see down the runway.
RVRNO indicates that the RVR system values are not available.
RY indicates a runway.
S indicates snow or south.
SA indicates sand.
SCSL stands for stratocumulus standing lenticular cloud, another lens-shape cloud often associated with mountains.
SCT indicates scattered cloud cover.
SE indicates southeast.
SFC means surface.
SG indicates snow grains.
SH indicates shower(s) of precipitation.
SKC indicates a sky clear, or no cloud condition.
SLP stands for sea-level pressure.
SLPNO means sea-level pressure not available.
SM indicates statute miles, which are used to measure distance.
SN indicates snow.