Flight Check

How to Read a METAR — Airport Weather Decoded

A METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) is a standardized weather observation that pilots and air traffic controllers use to decide whether flights can safely take off and land. Here's how to read one — and what it means for your flight.

Example METAR

KJFK 271156Z 33012G22KT 10SM FEW045 SCT250 13/01 A3012
KJFK

Station: JFK Airport (K prefix = US airport)

271156Z

Time: 27th day of month, 11:56 UTC (Zulu time)

33012G22KT

Wind: From 330° (northwest), 12 knots sustained, gusting to 22 knots. In plain English: NW wind 14 mph, gusts 25 mph.

10SM

Visibility: 10 statute miles — excellent, no delay risk from visibility.

FEW045 SCT250

Clouds: Few clouds at 4,500 ft, scattered at 25,000 ft. No ceiling (no BKN or OVC layers below 5,000 ft).

13/01

Temperature/Dewpoint: 13°C (55°F) / 1°C (34°F). Wide spread = low fog risk.

A3012

Altimeter: 30.12 inHg — standard pressure, no significant weather systems nearby.

Flight categories — what matters for delays

VFRCeiling >3,000 ft, visibility >5 mi — clear skies, no delay impact
MVFRCeiling 1,000–3,000 ft or visibility 3–5 mi — minor delays possible
IFRCeiling 500–1,000 ft or visibility 1–3 mi — delays likely, arrival rates drop
LIFRCeiling <500 ft or visibility <1 mi — significant delays, possible ground stop

See live decoded METARs

Flight Check automatically decodes the METAR for every major airport. Visit any airport's ATC View page to see the current METAR translated into plain English — for example, JFK ATC View or ORD ATC View.