METAR Significant Present Weather Codes and Weather Symbols

Vocabulary flashcards covering METAR significant present weather codes (WMO Code Table 4678) descriptors, precipitation types, obscurations, and weather phenomena.

MI

Descriptor code for Shallow.

BC

Descriptor code for Patches.

PR

Descriptor code for Partial.

DR

Descriptor code for Drifting.

BL

Descriptor code for Blowing.

SH

Descriptor code for Shower(s).

TS

Descriptor code for Thunderstorm.

FZ

Descriptor code for Freezing.

DZ

Precipitation code for Drizzle.

RA

Precipitation code for Rain.

SN

Precipitation code for Snow.

SG

Precipitation code for Snow Grains.

IC

Precipitation code for Ice Crystals.

PL

Precipitation code for Ice Pellets.

GR

Precipitation code for Hail.

GS

Precipitation code for Snow Pellets.

UP

Precipitation code for Unknown precipitation (AWOS only).

BR

Obscuration code for Mist with visibility $\ge 5/8\,\text{SM}$.

FG

Obscuration code for Fog with visibility $< 5/8\,\text{SM}$.

FU

Obscuration code for Smoke with visibility $\le 6\,\text{SM}$.

DU

Obscuration code for Dust with visibility $\le 6\,\text{SM}$.

SA

Obscuration code for Sand with visibility $\le 6\,\text{SM}$.

HZ

Obscuration code for Haze with visibility $\le 6\,\text{SM}$.

VA

Obscuration code for Volcanic Ash (occurs with any visibility).

PO

Weather phenomenon code for Dust/sand Whirls (Dust Devils).

SQ

Weather phenomenon code for Squalls.

FC

Weather phenomenon code for Funnel Cloud.

+FC

Weather phenomenon code for Tornado or Waterspout.

SS

Weather phenomenon code for Sandstorm with visibility $< 5/8\,\text{SM}$ ($+SS$ indicates visibility $< 5/16\,\text{SM}$).

DS

Weather phenomenon code for Dust storm with visibility $< 5/8\,\text{SM}$ ($+DS$ indicates visibility $< 5/16\,\text{SM}$).

VC

Proximity qualifier code for In the vicinity.

• (Minus Qualifier)

Intensity qualifier indicating Light precipitation.

• (Plus Qualifier)

Intensity qualifier indicating Heavy precipitation.

Virga

A special weather / showery precipitation phenomenon where streaks of precipitation fall from a cloud but evaporate before reaching the ground.

Freezing Fog

A fog condition where water droplets are supercooled and freeze on contact with surfaces.