TDS: METAR Field Descriptions

Field # Field Name Description Field Type Units
1 raw_text The raw METAR string
2 station_id Station identifier; Always a four character alphanumeric( A-Z, 0-9) string
3 observation_time Time( in ISO8601 date/time format) this METAR was observed. string ISO 8601 date/ time
4 latitude The latitude (in decimal degrees )of the station that reported this METAR float decimal degrees
5 longitude The longitude (in decimal degrees) of the station that reported this METAR float decimal degrees
6 temp_c Air temperature float C
7 dewpoint_c Dewpoint temperature float C
8 wind_dir_degrees Direction from which the wind is blowing.
0 degrees=variable wind direction. 		integer degrees
9 wind_speed_kt Wind speed; 0 degree wdir and 0 wspd = calm winds integer kts
10 wind_gust_kt Wind gust integer kts
11 visibility_statute_mi Horizontal visibility float statute miles
12 altim_in_hg Altimeter float inches of Hg
13 sea_level_pressure_mb Sea-level pressure float mb
14 quality_control_flags Quality control flags (see below) provide useful information about the METAR station(s) that provide the data. string
15 wx_string wx_string descriptions string
16 sky_condition sky_cover - up to four levels of sky cover and base can be reported under the sky_conditions field; OVX present when vert_vis_ft is reported.
Allowed values: SKC|CLR|CAVOK|FEW|SCT|BKN|OVC|OVX 		string
cloud_base_ft_agl - height of cloud base in feet AGL. Up to four levels can be reported under the sky_conditions field. A value exists when the corresponding sky_cover='FEW','SCT','BKN', 'OVC' integer ft (AGL)
17 flight_category Flight category of this METAR. Values: VFR|MVFR|IFR|LIFR
See http://www.aviationweather.gov/metar/help?page=plot#fltcat

NOTE: cloud_base_ft_agl needs to be specified to output flight_category. 		string
18 three_hr_pressure_tendency_mb Pressure change in the past 3 hours float mb
19 maxT_c Maximum air temperature from the past 6 hours float C
20 minT_c Minimum air temperature from the past 6 hours float C
21 maxT24hr_c Maximum air temperature from the past 24 hours float C
22 minT24hr_c Minimum air temperature from the past 24 hours float C
23 precip_in Liquid precipitation since the last regular METAR float in
24 pcp3hr_in Liquid precipitation from the past 3 hours. 0.0005 in = trace precipitation float in
25 pcp6hr_in Liquid precipitation from the past 6 hours. 0.0005 in = trace precipitation float in
26 pcp24hr_in Liquid precipitation from the past 24 hours. 0.0005 in = trace precipitation float in
27 snow_in Snow depth on the ground float in
28 vert_vis_ft Vertical Visibility integer ft
29 metar_type METAR or SPECI string
30 elevation_m The elevation of the station that reported this METAR float meters

METAR Quality Control Flag Description

Quality control flags provide useful information on the METAR station sensors. Please see the Federal Meteorological Handbook (FMH-1) for more information.

The table below describes the available values that the dataserver can provide:

Reported Value Name Corresponding description
corrected Corrected
auto Fully automated
auto_station Indicates that the automated station type is one of the following: A01|A01A|A02|A02A|AOA|AWOS

NOTE: The type of station is not returned. This simply indicates that this station is one of the six stations enumerated above.
maintenance_indicator Maintenance check indicator - maintenance is needed
no_signal No signal
lightning_sensor_off The lightning detection sensor is not operating- thunderstorm information is not available.
freezing_rain_sensor_off The freezing rain sensor is not operating
present_weather_sensor_off The present weather sensor is not operating

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