METARs Field Descriptions

Field #	Field Name	Description	Field Type	Units
1	raw_text	The raw METAR	string
2	station_id	Station identifier; Always a four character alphanumeric (A-Z, 0-9)	string
3	observation_time	Time (in ISO8601 date/time format) this METAR was observed	string	ISO 8601 date/time
4	latitude	The latitude (in decimal degrees) of the station that reported this METAR	float	decimal degrees
5	longitude	The longitude (in decimal degrees) of the station that reported this METAR	float	decimal degrees
6	temp_c	Air temperature	float	C
7	dewpoint_c	Dewpoint temperature	float	C
8	wind_dir_degrees	Direction from which the wind is blowing. 0 degrees=variable wind direction	integer	degrees
9	wind_speed_kt	Wind speed; 0 degree wdir and 0 wspd = calm winds	integer	kts
10	wind_gust_kt	Wind gust	integer	kts
11	visibility_statute_mi	Horizontal visibility	float	statute miles
12	altim_in_hg	Altimeter	float	inches of Hg
13	sea_level_pressure_mb	Sea-level pressure	float	mb
14	quality_control_flags	Quality control flags provide useful information about the METAR station(s) that provide the data.	string
15	wx_string	wx_string descriptions	string
16	sky_cover	Sky cover, up to four levels of sky cover can be reported; OVX present when vert_vis_ft is reported. Allowed values: SKC \| CLR \| CAVOK \| FEW \| SCT \| BKN \| OVC \| OVX	string
17	cloud_base_ft_agl	Height of cloud base in feet AGL. Up to four levels can be reported. A value exists when the corresponding skyCover='FEW','SCT','BKN', 'OVC'	integer	ft (AGL)
18	flight_category	Flight category of this METAR. Values: VFR \| MVFR \| IFR \| LIFR	string
19	three_hr_pressure_tendency_mb	Pressure change in the past 3 hours	float	mb
20	maxT_c	Maximum air temperature from the past 6 hours	float	C
21	minT_c	Minimum air temperature from the past 6 hours	float	C
22	maxT24hr_c	Maximum air temperature from the past 24 hours	float	C
23	minT24hr_c	Minimum air temperature from the past 24 hours	float	C
24	precip_in	Liquid precipitation since the last regular METAR	float	in
25	pcp3hr_in	Liquid precipitation from the past 3 hours. 0.0005 in = trace precipitation	float	in
26	pcp6hr_in	Liquid precipitation from the past 6 hours. 0.0005 in = trace precipitation	float	in
27	pcp24hr_in	Liquid precipitation from the past 24 hours. 0.0005 in = trace precipitation	float	in
28	snow_in	Snow depth on the ground	float	in
29	vert_vis_ft	Vertical Visibility	integer	ft
30	metar_type	METAR or SPECI	string
31	elevation_m	The elevation of the station that reported this METAR	float	meters

Quality Control Flags

Quality control flags provide useful information on the METAR station sensors. Please see the Federal Meteorological Handbook (FMH-1) for more information.

The table below describes the available values that the data server can provide.

Reported Value Name	Corresponding description
corrected	Corrected
auto	Fully automated
auto_station	Indicates that the automated station type is one of the following: A01 \| A01A \| A02 \| A02A \| AOA \| AWOS - NOTE: The type of station is not returned. This simply indicates that this station is one of the six stations enumerated above.
maintenance_indicator	Maintenance check indicator - maintenance is needed
no_signal	No signal
lightning_sensor_off	The lightning detection sensor is not operating- thunderstorm information is not available.
freezing_rain_sensor_off	The freezing rain sensor is not operating
present_weather_sensor_off	The present weather sensor is not operating

Experimental ADDS

METARs Field Descriptions

Quality Control Flags