METAR Weather Report
A standardized aviation weather observation report providing current conditions at an airport.
What is METAR?
METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) is a standardized format for reporting current weather conditions at airports. METARs are issued every hour (or more frequently when conditions change rapidly) and include information about wind, visibility, cloud cover, temperature, dew point, and barometric pressure. Pilots and dispatchers use METARs to assess whether conditions meet requirements for takeoff and landing. Poor METAR conditions often lead to delays or diversions.
Common Causes
Impact & Duration
Impact Level
N/A - Weather observation format, not a delay type
Typical Duration
N/A - Reports are issued hourly or as conditions change
Frequently Asked Questions
How do METARs affect flight delays?
When METARs show conditions below minimums (low visibility, strong crosswinds, etc.), flights may be delayed or diverted. Airlines use METAR data to make operational decisions about departures and arrivals.
How often are METARs updated?
Routine METARs are issued hourly at most airports. Special METARs (SPECIs) are issued when significant weather changes occur between scheduled observations.
Can I read METARs as a passenger?
METARs are available on aviation weather websites but use coded abbreviations. Apps like FlightQueue translate this data into user-friendly delay predictions and weather impact assessments.
Check for Active Delays
See if any airports currently have this type of delay active.
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