Understanding METAR and TAF: Weather Reports for Drone Pilots 2025

Every Part 107 pilot has stared at a METAR report feeling completely lost. Those cryptic strings of letters and numbers look like someone fell asleep on a keyboard—until you know how to read them. After filing hundreds of flight plans and teaching weather interpretation to drone pilots, I can tell you that understanding METAR and TAF reports isn’t just a test requirement—it’s the difference between safe flying and dangerous conditions.

Quick Answer: What Are METAR and TAF?

METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report): Current weather observation from an airport, updated every hour (sometimes every 30 minutes).

TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast): Weather forecast for the next 24-30 hours at an airport, updated every 6 hours.

Why Drone Pilots Need These:

• FAA Part 107 test requires METAR/TAF interpretation
• Most accurate weather data for aviation operations
• Required for commercial flight planning and documentation
• Helps identify unsafe conditions (wind, visibility, storms)
• Free and available for all airports nationwide

Understanding METAR Reports

Basic METAR Format

Here’s a real METAR broken down step-by-step:

METAR KJFK 121251Z 24016G28KT 10SM FEW250 23/14 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP125

Drone Flight Decision: ✅ Safe to fly—good visibility, winds manageable for most drones (convert 16kt = ~18mph, gusts to 32mph). Monitor wind gusts closely.

Decoding Wind Information

Wind is the most critical METAR element for drone pilots.

Format: DDDSSGSKT

• DDD = Direction (degrees magnetic, where wind is coming FROM)
• SS = Speed (knots)
• GS = Gust speed (if present)
• KT = Knots

Examples:

• 09008KT = Wind from 090° at 8 knots (~9 mph) – Excellent for drones
• 27015G25KT = Wind from 270° at 15 knots, gusts 25 knots (~17 mph gusting to 29 mph) – Marginal, use caution
• VRB03KT = Variable direction at 3 knots (~3 mph) – Perfect conditions
• 00000KT = Calm (no wind) – Ideal

Quick Conversion: 1 knot ≈ 1.15 mph (multiply knots by 1.15 for mph)

Drone Flying Wind Limits:

• Safe: 0-15 mph sustained winds
• Caution: 15-25 mph (experienced pilots only)
• Unsafe: 25+ mph or gusty conditions (gusts >10 mph difference)

Visibility Codes

Visibility is reported in statute miles (SM).

Part 107 Requirement: Minimum 3 statute miles visibility required for legal drone operations (unless you have a visibility waiver).

Cloud Coverage Abbreviations

Cloud reports show coverage and altitude (in hundreds of feet AGL).

Coverage Terms:

• SKC = Sky Clear (0/8 coverage)
• FEW = Few (1/8 to 2/8 coverage)
• SCT = Scattered (3/8 to 4/8 coverage)
• BKN = Broken (5/8 to 7/8 coverage)
• OVC = Overcast (8/8 coverage – completely cloudy)

Examples:

• FEW050 = Few clouds at 5,000 feet AGL
• SCT025 BKN040 = Scattered clouds at 2,500 ft, broken layer at 4,000 ft
• OVC008 = Overcast at 800 feet (very low ceiling)

Part 107 Cloud Clearance: Must stay 500 feet below clouds and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.

Weather Phenomena Codes

Weather abbreviations appear before visibility.

Intensity Prefixes:

• – = Light
• (none) = Moderate
• + = Heavy

Understanding TAF Forecasts

Basic TAF Format

TAFs predict weather for the next 24-30 hours.

TAF KJFK 121720Z 1218/1324 25015G25KT P6SM FEW250
     FM130200 27012KT P6SM SCT250
     FM131400 29008KT P6SM FEW120 SCT250

Breaking it down:

TAF Change Indicators

FM (FROM): Rapid change expected at specific time

BECMG (BECOMING): Gradual change over 1-2 hours

TEMPO (TEMPORARY): Temporary fluctuations (less than half the time period)

PROB (PROBABILITY): Probability of occurrence (PROB30 = 30% chance)

Example with TEMPO:

TAF KLAX 151800Z 1518/1624 24008KT P6SM SKC
     TEMPO 1520/1524 BKN015

Translation: Generally clear skies, but between 20:00Z and 24:00Z on the 15th, expect temporary broken clouds at 1,500 feet.

Real-World METAR Examples for Drone Pilots

Example 1: Perfect Flying Conditions

METAR KPHX 151856Z 09005KT 10SM CLR 38/M02 A2992

Decoded:

• Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
• 15th day, 18:56 UTC
• Wind from 090° at 5 knots (~6 mph)
• 10 statute miles visibility
• Clear skies
• Temperature 38°C, Dewpoint -2°C
• Altimeter 29.92

Flight Decision: ✅ Excellent conditions—light winds, unlimited visibility, clear skies. Watch for heat-related battery performance in 38°C (100°F) temperature.

Example 2: Marginal Conditions

METAR KORD 151856Z 28022G35KT 3SM -RA BR BKN008 OVC015 18/16 A2965

Decoded:

• Chicago O’Hare
• Wind from 280° at 22 knots gusting 35 knots (~25 mph gusting 40 mph)
• 3 statute miles visibility (legal minimum)
• Light rain and mist
• Broken clouds at 800 ft, overcast at 1,500 ft
• Temperature 18°C, Dewpoint 16°C (high humidity)

Flight Decision: ❌ Do NOT fly—dangerous gusts, rain will damage drone, low clouds violate 500-foot rule, humidity risks condensation damage.

Example 3: Low Visibility

METAR KSFO 151856Z 30008KT 1/2SM FG VV002 15/14 A3012

Decoded:

• San Francisco International
• Wind from 300° at 8 knots (~9 mph)
• 1/2 statute mile visibility (well below Part 107 minimum)
• Fog present
• Vertical visibility 200 feet (indefinite ceiling)
• Temperature 15°C, Dewpoint 14°C

Flight Decision: ❌ Illegal—visibility far below 3 SM requirement, fog creates unsafe VLOS conditions.

Where to Get METAR and TAF Reports

Best Free Resources

1. Aviation Weather Center (aviationweather.gov)

• Official NOAA aviation weather site
• Raw and decoded METAR/TAF
• Interactive maps
• URL: https://www.aviationweather.gov/metar

2. AviationWeather.gov Mobile App

• Free iOS/Android app
• Real-time METAR/TAF
• Location-based nearest airports

3. ForeFlight (Commercial Pilots)

• Premium app ($99-299/year)
• Comprehensive flight planning
• Decoded weather with graphics
• Industry standard for professionals

4. UAV Forecast App (Drone-Specific)

• Free iOS/Android
• Drone-friendly weather interpretation
• KP Index (solar activity affecting GPS)
• Satellite visibility prediction

5. 1800wxbrief.com (Flight Service)

• Official FAA briefing source
• Free account required
• Complete weather briefings
• File flight plans if needed

How to Look Up Airport Weather

Step 1: Find Nearest Airport

• Use SkyVector.com to find airport identifiers
• Most towns have small airports within 20 miles
• All US airports use 4-letter identifiers starting with “K”

Step 2: Get Current METAR

• Visit aviationweather.gov/metar
• Enter airport code (e.g., KJFK)
• View raw and decoded report

Step 3: Check TAF Forecast

• Visit aviationweather.gov/taf
• Enter same airport code
• Review forecast for your planned flight time

METAR/TAF Quick Reference for Part 107

Part 107 Weather Minimums

METAR Abbreviations Cheat Sheet

Practice METAR Interpretation

Practice Problem 1

METAR KATL 161353Z 18012KT 10SM FEW045 SCT250 28/21 A3001

Question: Is this safe for drone operations?

Answer: ✅ Yes, excellent conditions

• Wind: 180° at 12 knots (~14 mph) – manageable
• Visibility: 10 SM – excellent
• Clouds: Few at 4,500 ft, scattered at 25,000 ft – plenty of clearance
• Temperature: 28°C (82°F) – normal operating range

Practice Problem 2

METAR KDEN 161353Z 35025G40KT 1SM -SN BKN015 OVC025 M05/M08 A2980

Question: Is this safe for drone operations?

Answer: ❌ No, dangerous conditions

• Wind: 350° at 25 knots gusting 40 knots (~29 mph gusting 46 mph) – extremely dangerous
• Visibility: 1 SM – below Part 107 minimum (3 SM required)
• Weather: Light snow – moisture will damage drone
• Clouds: Broken at 1,500 ft, overcast at 2,500 ft – violates 500-foot clearance
• Temperature: -5°C (23°F) – cold affects battery performance

Practice Problem 3

TAF KMIA 161720Z 1618/1724 09015G25KT P6SM SCT040
     FM162100 12018KT P6SM VCTS SCT030CB
     FM170300 15012KT P6SM SCT050

Question: When is the best time to fly in the next 24 hours?

Answer: ✅ After 03:00Z on the 17th (FM170300)

• Initial (1618/1721): Marginal – gusts to 25kt (~29 mph)
• 21:00Z-03:00Z: ❌ Dangerous – thunderstorms in vicinity (VCTS), cumulonimbus clouds (CB)
• After 03:00Z: ✅ Best – winds decrease to 12kt (~14 mph), thunderstorms clear

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to check METAR before every flight?

For commercial Part 107 operations, yes—it’s considered best practice and provides legal documentation of weather conditions. For recreational flying, it’s highly recommended but not legally required. Always document weather checks for commercial flights.

What if there’s no airport near my flight location?

Use the nearest airport’s METAR as a reference (within 20-30 miles). Weather can vary locally, so combine METAR data with on-site observations. Apps like UAV Forecast provide hyperlocal weather interpolation between reporting stations.

How often are METARs updated?

Standard METAR reports are issued hourly (at :56 past the hour). Special METARs (SPECI) are issued when significant weather changes occur between regular reports. Always check the timestamp to ensure current data.

Can I fly if METAR shows 3SM visibility exactly?

Legally yes, 3 SM is the Part 107 minimum. However, it’s marginal—weather can deteriorate quickly. Best practice is to maintain 5+ SM visibility for safety buffer. If visibility is at legal minimums, postpone non-critical flights.

What does “A2990” mean in the altimeter setting?

Altimeter setting reports barometric pressure in inches of mercury (29.90 inHg in this example). This is critical for manned aircraft altitude calculations but less important for drone pilots. Standard pressure is 29.92 inHg.

How do I convert UTC (Zulu) time to local time?

Use an online UTC converter or:

• Eastern: UTC – 5 hours (EST) or UTC – 4 hours (EDT)
• Central: UTC – 6 hours (CST) or UTC – 5 hours (CDT)
• Mountain: UTC – 7 hours (MST) or UTC – 6 hours (MDT)
• Pacific: UTC – 8 hours (PST) or UTC – 7 hours (PDT)

What’s the difference between METAR and SPECI?

METAR is a routine hourly observation. SPECI (Special Report) is issued when weather changes significantly between routine reports (e.g., thunderstorm develops, visibility drops below minimums). Both use identical format.

Do I need to understand TAF for the Part 107 test?

Yes, the Part 107 exam includes multiple questions on METAR and TAF interpretation. You’ll need to decode reports, identify weather trends, and determine if conditions meet regulatory minimums. Practice with real examples.

Can I fly if TAF predicts bad weather but current METAR is good?

Legally yes, but use caution. If TAF shows deteriorating conditions within your flight window, delay or cancel. Never ignore forecast trends—weather can change rapidly. Always plan for worst-case scenario in the forecast period.

What’s “RMK” in METAR reports?

RMK indicates “Remarks” section containing additional information like pressure trends, precipitation amounts, or automated station indicators (AO2). Remarks are supplementary—focus on main weather elements for flight decisions.

METAR/TAF Pre-Flight Checklist

Before Every Commercial Drone Flight:

1. ✅ Identify nearest airport(s) to flight location (within 20 miles)
2. ✅ Get current METAR from aviationweather.gov or app
3. ✅ Check TAF forecast for flight time window
4. ✅ Verify visibility is 3+ SM (preferably 5+ SM)
5. ✅ Check wind speed – convert knots to mph, watch for gusts
6. ✅ Review cloud coverage – ensure 500 ft clearance below clouds
7. ✅ Check for precipitation – any rain/snow/fog = no fly
8. ✅ Note temperature – extreme heat/cold affects battery performance
9. ✅ Save/screenshot weather data for flight documentation
10. ✅ Re-check METAR if flight delayed more than 1 hour

Weather Data Retention: Keep METAR screenshots or printouts for 2 years as part of commercial flight records. If incident occurs, weather documentation protects you legally.

Summary: METAR and TAF Essentials

Understanding METAR and TAF reports transforms you from someone who “checks the weather” to a pilot who makes informed aviation decisions. These reports aren’t just test questions—they’re the difference between safe operations and dangerous situations.

Key Takeaways:

• ✅ METAR = current conditions, TAF = forecast (next 24-30 hours)
• ✅ Part 107 minimums: 3 SM visibility, 500 ft below clouds, 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds
• ✅ Convert wind from knots to mph (multiply by 1.15)
• ✅ Never fly in rain, snow, fog, or thunderstorms
• ✅ Always check METAR within 1 hour of commercial flight
• ✅ Use aviationweather.gov or drone-specific apps for reports
• ✅ Document weather checks for legal protection

Master METAR and TAF interpretation, and you’ll not only pass the Part 107 test—you’ll make safer flight decisions every time you launch.