A Complete Guide to Aviation Weather Observations (METAR, SPECI, SPECIAL)

Aviation Weather Observation(metar, speci, special)

 Aviation weather observation provides critical meteorological information necessary for safe flight operations. At airports, various weather elements are constantly measured and reported, supporting air traffic controllers and pilots in planning and executing safe flights.

Unlike the weather forecasts that the general public sees on TV or mobile apps, aviation weather reports are written in specialized abbreviations and numeric codes. While they may look meaningless to non-aviators, for controllers and pilots they are a vital source of information.

 

Three Types of Aviation Weather Observations

There are three main categories of aviation weather observations:

1. Routine Observation (METAR: Meteorological Aerodrome Report)

METAR weather observation example from Daegu Air Base (RKTN)

• Conducted at fixed time intervals (every 30 minutes or 1 hour)

• Provides regular updates on airport weather conditions

2. Special Observation (SPECI)

• Conducted when specific weather changes exceed certain thresholds

• Example: wind speed above 50 knots, heavy precipitation, or significant visibility change

3. Occasional Observation (SPECIAL)

• Conducted upon request from air traffic control or in case of an aircraft accident

• Provides immediate weather updates for urgent situations

METAR,SPECI,SPECIAL COMPARISON TABLE.

Understanding METAR and TAF Reports

 For the untrained eye, METAR or TAF reports may seem like meaningless codes. However, to pilots and controllers, these codes represent essential operational information.

• METAR provides a concise snapshot of the current weather conditions at an airport.

• TAF(Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) offers short-term weather forecasts for flight planning.

     ✅CHECK BELOW!

• How to Read a METAR?