What information does a METAR report provide?

A METAR report provides current weather conditions at an airport. It is an aviation routine weather report that is issued at least once an hour and includes a variety of weather parameters such as temperature, dew point, wind direction and speed, visibility, weather phenomena (like rain, snow, or fog), and cloud cover. This information is crucial for pilots, dispatchers, and other aviation personnel as it helps them make informed decisions regarding flight operations and safety.

While forecasted weather, air traffic control updates, and runway availability are important aspects of aviation, they are not included in a METAR report. A METAR focuses exclusively on the current state of the atmosphere at the reporting station, making it an essential tool for real-time weather assessment in aviation contexts.