About

About METAR & TAF

Real-Time Aviation Weather Intelligence for Pilots, Dispatchers & Enthusiasts

Our Mission

METAR & TAF was built to make aviation weather data accessible, understandable, and actionable. We decode raw METAR and TAF reports from over 1,600 airports worldwide and present them in a clear, visual format that helps aviation professionals make informed decisions.

What We Offer

  • Live METAR Decoding: Real-time Meteorological Aerodrome Reports from 1,600+ airports, automatically decoded and color-coded by flight category (VFR, MVFR, IFR, LIFR).
  • TAF Forecasts: Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts decoded into easy-to-read format, showing expected weather conditions for the next 24-30 hours.
  • Worst Weather Rankings: Our proprietary 9-category scoring engine analyzes current conditions across all monitored airports and ranks the top 50 most hazardous weather situations, updated every 30 minutes.
  • Interactive 3D Map: Explore airport weather conditions on our interactive map with real-time flight category overlays and detailed station information.
  • Cloud Profile Visualization: 3D cloud layer visualization showing cloud types, coverage, and altitude for each reporting station.
  • Crosswind Calculator: Built-in crosswind component calculator for runway operations planning.
  • Historical Weather Data: Access past METAR observations to analyze weather trends and patterns at any monitored airport.

Understanding METAR

METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) is a standardized format for reporting current weather conditions at an airport. Issued at regular intervals (typically every 30 or 60 minutes), METAR reports include essential information such as wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud cover, temperature, dew point, and atmospheric pressure. These reports are critical for flight planning and in-flight decision making.

Understanding TAF

TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) is a weather forecast for the area around an airport, typically covering a 24 to 30-hour period. TAFs complement METAR observations by providing expected future conditions, including anticipated changes in wind, visibility, weather phenomena, and cloud cover. Pilots and dispatchers use TAFs alongside METARs for comprehensive pre-flight weather briefings.

Flight Categories Explained

  • VFR (Visual Flight Rules): Ceiling greater than 3,000 feet and visibility greater than 5 statute miles. Good flying conditions.
  • MVFR (Marginal VFR): Ceiling 1,000-3,000 feet and/or visibility 3-5 statute miles. Caution advised.
  • IFR (Instrument Flight Rules): Ceiling 500-999 feet and/or visibility 1-3 statute miles. Instrument rating required.
  • LIFR (Low IFR): Ceiling below 500 feet and/or visibility below 1 statute mile. Most hazardous conditions.

Data Sources & Accuracy

Our weather data is sourced from official meteorological services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center, ICAO reporting stations, and national weather services worldwide. Data is refreshed automatically and displayed in real-time. While we strive for accuracy, this service is intended for informational purposes and should not be the sole source for operational flight decisions.

Contact

For questions, suggestions, or partnership inquiries, please reach us at: info@metarandtaf.com