Free METAR & TAF Lookup
Enter a 3–4 character ICAO code (for example KJFK, EGLL, or CYYZ) to see the latest observation and forecast. Data is sourced directly from the FAA Aviation Weather Center.
Enter a 3 or 4 character ICAO airport code.
Weather data is retrieved from the FAA Aviation Weather Center. This page is for general information only — not for flight planning or operational use. Always consult official sources for flight decisions.
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Quick links to the latest weather at major airports worldwide.
How to read a METAR
A METAR is a coded current weather observation. The same syntax is used worldwide, so once you can read one, you can read them all. Here is a typical example:
KJFK 121951Z 25014KT 10SM FEW250 24/14 A3008
- KJFK
- ICAO airport identifier — New York Kennedy.
- 121951Z
- Day of month and time in Zulu (UTC). Issued on the 12th at 19:51 UTC.
- 25014KT
- Wind from 250° true at 14 knots.
G22would mean gusting 22 knots;VRBmeans variable. - 10SM
- Visibility 10 statute miles (the maximum reported value in the US).
- FEW250
- Few clouds (1–2 oktas) at 25,000 ft AGL. Other coverage codes:
SCTscattered (3–4),BKNbroken (5–7),OVCovercast (8). - 24/14
- Temperature 24°C / dew point 14°C. A small spread can hint at fog risk.
- A3008
- Altimeter setting 30.08 inHg. International stations use a Q code in hectopascals (e.g.
Q1019).
How to read a TAF
A TAF is a 24- or 30-hour terminal aerodrome forecast. It uses the same syntax as a METAR, broken into time periods:
- FM (from) — a sharp change at the indicated time. The conditions that follow apply for the rest of the period unless overridden.
- BECMG (becoming) — a gradual change occurring within the indicated window.
- TEMPO (temporary) — short-lived fluctuations expected to last less than half the indicated period.
- PROB30 / PROB40 — the probability (in percent) that the listed conditions will occur.
Flight categories explained
The FAA assigns each METAR one of four flight categories based on the worst of ceiling and visibility. Color coding is universal across most aviation tools.
| Category | Ceiling | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| VFR | > 3,000 ft AGL | > 5 SM |
| MVFR | 1,000 – 3,000 ft AGL | 3 – 5 SM |
| IFR | 500 – 1,000 ft AGL | 1 – 3 SM |
| LIFR | < 500 ft AGL | < 1 SM |
The category is determined by whichever value is worse. A 4,000 ft ceiling with 2 SM visibility is IFR, not VFR.
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SkyCast Pilot gives you METAR, TAF, PIREPs, SIGMETs & AIRMETs, and winds aloft for any ICAO airport — with offline-friendly caching, a home-screen widget, and color-coded flight categories.
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