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Aviation Weather Reports Explained: METAR, TAF, and PIREP

Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Weather is one of the most important factors in aviation safety. Pilots rely on accurate and timely weather reports not only to plan their flights but also to make in-flight decisions. Among the many weather tools available, three of the most widely used in aviation are METARs, TAFs, and PIREPs.


Each provides unique information: METARs give current conditions, TAFs provide forecasts, and PIREPs supply real-world pilot observations. Together, they form the backbone of aviation weather awareness.



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METAR – Meteorological Aerodrome Report

  • What it is: A METAR is an aviation routine weather report issued once an hour (or more often if conditions change significantly). It provides the most up-to-date observation of weather conditions at an airport.

  • Contents include:

    • Wind speed and direction.

    • Visibility and prevailing weather (rain, snow, fog, etc.).

    • Sky condition (cloud type, coverage, and ceiling).

    • Temperature and dew point.

    • Altimeter setting (pressure).

    • Remarks (significant weather trends, lightning, runway conditions, etc.).

  • Aviation use: METARs are critical for flight planning, takeoff, approach, and landing decisions. Pilots rely on them to determine whether an airport is operating under VFR (Visual Flight Rules) or IFR (Instrument Flight Rules).


TAF – Terminal Aerodrome Forecast

  • What it is: A TAF is a forecast of expected weather conditions for a specific airport, typically issued four times daily. Unlike METARs, which describe what’s happening now, TAFs provide a forward-looking outlook.

  • Contents include:

    • Forecasted wind, visibility, and weather.

    • Predicted cloud coverage and ceilings.

    • Specific time frames for expected changes.

  • Duration: Most TAFs cover a 24-hour period (some extend up to 30 hours for major airports).

  • Aviation use: TAFs are vital for preflight planning. They help pilots anticipate conditions upon arrival and during alternate planning, ensuring they can meet weather minimums for their operations.


PIREP – Pilot Report

  • What it is: A PIREP is a pilot weather report given by a pilot currently in flight. These reports provide real-time, in-situ observations that automated systems like METARs or TAFs might not capture.

  • Contents include:

    • Location, altitude, and time of observation.

    • Weather phenomena: turbulence, icing, visibility, clouds, etc.

    • Pilot’s assessment of flight conditions (light, moderate, severe turbulence/icing).

  • Aviation use: PIREPs are invaluable because they reflect actual conditions encountered by pilots. For example, while a forecast may not indicate turbulence, a PIREP from another pilot may alert others and ATC to hazardous conditions.


Key Differences Between METAR, TAF, and PIREP

  • METAR: Current observed conditions, issued hourly.

  • TAF: Forecasted conditions, issued four times daily, covering 24–30 hours.

  • PIREP: Real-time pilot observations, providing insight into actual in-flight weather.


Together, these reports give pilots a complete weather picture—from what’s happening now, to what’s expected, to what other pilots are experiencing in the air.


Conclusion

METARs, TAFs, and PIREPs are the foundation of aviation weather reporting. METARs tell pilots the current airport conditions, TAFs forecast what’s ahead, and PIREPs provide real-world verification. By combining all three, pilots can make safer decisions, avoid hazards, and prepare for changing weather during flight operations.



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