Weather Reports & Observations
Weather Reports & Observations is a core knowledge area on the Aviation Weather FAA written exam. This hub collects our 7 in-depth, ACS-aligned weather reports & observations articles — each written in plain English and grounded in the official FAA handbooks. Work through them below, then drill the topic with practice questions.
Surface Weather Observations: Manual, Automated, and Augmented
Surface weather observations come in three types—manual, automated, and augmented—each serving distinct roles in aviation weather reporting, with ASOS and AWOS forming the backbone of today's automated network.
ASOS and AWOS: How Automated Stations Sense the Weather
ASOS and AWOS are the two main automated surface weather observing systems in the U.S., each sensing and broadcasting different sets of weather elements to support safe flight operations.
SPECI Special Weather Reports and What Triggers Them
A SPECI is a special aviation weather report issued outside the regular hourly METAR cycle whenever surface conditions cross critical safety thresholds; understanding what triggers one—and which systems generate them—is essential for preflight planning and in-flight weather awareness.
Decoding a METAR: Wind, Visibility, Weather, Sky, and Altimeter
A METAR packs critical surface weather into a compact coded string. This article breaks down every field — wind, visibility, weather, sky condition, and altimeter — so you can decode any report quickly and accurately.
Runway Visual Range (RVR) and Sky Condition Reporting
Runway Visual Range (RVR) and sky condition reporting are critical components of the METAR/SPECI system, giving pilots precise low-visibility and cloud-layer data needed for instrument approach decisions.
METAR Present-Weather Codes: Intensity, Descriptor, and Phenomena
METAR present-weather codes use a structured three-part system—intensity prefix, descriptor, and phenomena—to concisely encode precipitation, obstructions to visibility, and other atmospheric conditions reported at surface observation stations.
METAR Remarks (RMK) Decoded: Sea-Level Pressure to Lightning
METAR remarks (RMK) translate critical data—sea-level pressure, temperature/dewpoint in tenths, lightning direction, and more—that the main body omits; mastering them is essential for safe preflight planning.
More Aviation Weather subjects
Articles are original summaries grounded in the public-domain FAA handbooks and cite their source. ACS-aligned study aids — not a substitute for the official handbooks or regulations.