 N: No COM/NAV/ approach aid equipment or the equipment is unserviceable

 S: Standard COM/NAV/approach aid equipment

 Z: Other equipment carried or other capabilities
 E1: FMC WPR ACARS
 E2: D-FIS ACARS
 E3: PDC ACARS
 H: HF RTF
 J1: CPDLC ATN VDL Mode 2
 J2: CPDLC FANS 1/A HFDL
 J3: CPDLC FANS 1/A VDL Mode A
 J4: CPDLC FANS 1/A VDL Mode 2
 J5: CPDLC FANS 1/A SATCOM (INMARSAT)
 J6: CPDLC FANS 1/A SATCOM (MTSAT)
 J7: CPDLC FANS 1/A SATCOM (Iridium)
 M1: ATC RTF SATCOM (INMARSAT)
 M2: ATC RTF (MTSAT)
 M3: ATC RTF (Iridium)
 U: UHF RTF
 V: VHF RTF
 Y: VHF with 8.33 kHz channel spacing capability
 P1-P9: Reserved for RCP
 A: GBAS Landing System
 B: LPV (APV with SBAS)
 K: MLS
 L: ILS
 C: Loran C
 D: DME
 F: ADF
 G: GNSS
 I: Inertial Navigation
 O: VOR
 R: PBN approved
 T: TACAN
 W: RVSM
 X: MNPS approved
 B1: ADS-B with dedicated 1090 MHz ADS-B "out" capability
 B2: ADS-B with dedicated 1090 MHz ADS-B "out" and "in" capability
 U1: ADS-B "out" capability using UAT

1
 U2: U2 ADS-B "out" and "in" capability using UAT
 V1: ADS-B "out" capability using VDL Mode 4
 V2: ADS-B "out" and "in" capability using VDL Mode 4
 D1: ADS-C with FANS 1/A capabilities
 G1: ADS-C with ATN capabilities
 0: No Other Information
 STS/ALTRV
 STS/ATFMX
 STS/HUM
 STS/FFR
 STS/FLTCK
 STS/HAZMAT
 STS/HEAD
 STS/HOSP
 STS/MARSA
 STS/MEDEVAC
 STS/NONRVSM
 STS/SAR
 STS/STATE
 PBN/A1 : RNAV 10 (RNP 10)
 PBN/B1: RNAV 5 all permitted sensors
 PBN/B2: RNAV 5 GNSS
 PBN/B3: RNAV 5 DME/DME
 PBN/B4: RNAV 5 VOR/DME
 PBN/B5: RNAV 5 INS or IRS
 PBN/B6: RNAV 5 LORAN C
 PBN/C1: RNAV 2 all permitted sensors
 PBN/C2: RNAV 2 GNSS
 PBN/C3: RNAV 2 DME/DME
 PBN/C4: RNAV 2 DME/DME/IRU
 PBN/D1: RNAV 1 all permitted sensors
 PBN/D2: RNAV 1 GNSS
 PBN/D3: RNAV 1 DME/DME
 PBN/D4: RNAV 1 DME/DME/IRU
 PBN/L1: RNP 4
 PBN/O1: Basic RNP 1 all permitted sensors
 PBN/O2: Basic RNP 1 GNSS
 PBN/O3: Basic RNP 1 DME/DME

2
 PBN/O4: Basic RNP 1 DME/DME/IRU
 PBN/S1: RNP APCH
 PBN/S2: RNP APCH with BARO-VNAV
 PBN/T1: RNP AR APCH with RF (special authorization required)
 PBN/T2: RNP AR APCH without RF (special authorization required)
 RNAVX: RNAV exempted
 RNAVINOP: RNAV inoperable
 Other: NAV/
 Other: COM/
 EXM833: Exemption of 8.33 carriage
 CPDLCX: CPDLC Exempted
 Other: DAT/
 PER : Aircraft Performance Data
 SUR: Surveillance Equipment
 DEP: Name and location of departure aerodrome
 DEST: Name and location of destination aerodrome
 ALTN: Name of destination aerodrome alternate aerodrome(s)
 RALT: En-route alternate aerodrome(s)
 TALT: Take-off alternate aerodrome(s)
 DOF: Date Of Flight
 REG: Registration mark of the aircraft
 EET: Estimated Elapsed Times
 SEL: SELective CALling radio
 TYP: Type(s) of aircraft
 CODE: Aircraft address
 DLE: En-route delay or holding (DLE)
 OPR: ICAO designator or name of the aircraft operating agency
 ORGN: Originator of the flight plan
 RIF: Re-clearance In Flight
 RMK: Remark field
 RFP: Replacement Flight Plan
 RVR: Runway Visual Range
 A: Transponder Mode A
 C: Transponder Mode C
 E: Transponder Mode S
 H: Transponder Mode S
 I: Transponder Mode S
 L: Transponder Mode S

3
 P: Transponder Mode S
 S: Transponder Mode S
 X: Transponder Mode S
 N: No Surveillance Equipment

4
 Birth of a NOTAM

NOTAM start life as messages on the Aeronautical Fixed System (AFS). They are
received centrally at the UK NOTAM office at London Heathrow from originators
within the UK and from foreign NOTAM offices. AIS staff check and edit the NOTAM
if necessary and they are then placed in the transmit queue for transmission to all UK
NOTAM recipients. These include ATC offices, some airlines, briefing services etc.

There is no central world-wide NOTAM database, databases are built up individually

by users from the incoming message stream.

ICAO NOTAM format

The format of NOTAM is defined in Annex 15 to the International Convention on Civil

Aviation. An explanation of the format can be found here. Here is a typical NOTAM
and its decode.

A1484/02 NOTAMN
Q) EGTT/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005
A) EGLL
B) 0208231540
C) 0210310500 EST
E) RWY 09R/27L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL

Notam Decoder

A1484/02 - one letter to indicate the Series, a 4-digit NOTAM number followed by a
stroke and two digits to indicate the year.

NOTAMN - Suffix N Indicates this is a new NOTAM. Other options are R for NOTAM
replacing another or C for one cancelling another.

Q) EGTT/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005

This is the "Q" or qualifier line, it always starts Q) and contains the following fields,
each separated by a stroke.

FIR (here EGTT, London FIR)

NOTAM Code, a 5 letter code starting with Q, defined in Annexe 15.

Here QMR indicates that it concerns a Runway. XX indicates that remaining detail is in
Plain Language. In this particular case the text shows that certain runway lighting is
unavailable. Strictly speaking under ICAO rules this should have appeared as separate
NOTAM for each type of lighting. QLCAS is the code for centreline lighting u/s QLZAS
is the code for Touch Down Zone lighting u/s and QLAAS is the code for Approach
Lighting u/s (note in all cases AS indicates unserviceable). The use of QMRXX here is a
sensible compromise that reduces the number of NOTAM from three to one. A full list
of codes is included in ICAO document 8126 (Aeronautical Information Services
Manual).

5
IV - Indicates that this is significant for IFR and VFR traffic

NBO - indicates for immediate attention of aircraft operators, for inclusion in PIB's and
Operationally significant for IFR flights

A - Indicates scope, here Aerodrome, others are E (en-route) or W (nav warning)

000/999 - lower and upper limits expressed as a flight level. In this case it has been left
as the default as it is not applicable.

5129N00028W005 - Indicates the geographical centre and radius of influence, always

this number of digits. In this case the radius is 5 n.m.

A) EGLL - ICAO indicator of the aerodrome or FIR (London Heathrow) can include
more than one FIR

B) 0208231540 - Date/time group (UTC) when this NOTAM becomes effective

C) 0210310500 EST - Date/time group (UTC) when the NOTAM ceases to be effective.
Note "EST" means "estimated" (NOT Eastern Standard Time!). All NOTAM with EST
remain in force until cancelled or replaced.

E) RWY 09R/27L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL -

text of the notam using ICAO abbreviations.

Decode of this is "Runway 09/27 due to work in progress no centreline, touchdown zone
or simple approach lighting system available"

Here's the whole thing again

A1484/02 NOTAMN
Q) EGTT/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005
A) EGLL
B) 0208231540
C) 0210310500 EST
E) RWY 09R/27L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL

and here's the same thing as it appears in the PIB produced by ANAIS

AGA : FROM 02/08/23 15:40 TO 02/10/31 05:00 EST A1484/02

E)RWY 09R/27L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL

You can see that the Q line is omitted entirely, A) has been stripped out because it
appears as the header to the section and B) and C) have been reformatted and placed in
the first line. AGA has been derived from the Q Code "QMR" (see Annex 15)

INTERNATIONAL NOTAM (Q) CODES

6
 This appendix is to be used to interpret the contents of coded international NOTAM's.

a. A NOTAM code group contains five letters. The first letter is always the letter "Q'' to
indicate a code abbreviation for use in the composition of NOTAM's.

b. The second and third letters identify the subject being reported. (See Second and
Third Letter Decode Tables).

c. The fourth and fifth letters identify the status of operation of the subject being
reported. (See Fourth and Fifth Letter Decode Tables).

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
AGA Lighting Facilities (L)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
LA Approach lighting system (specify runway and apch lgt
type)
LB Aerodrome beacon abn
LC Runway center line lights (specify runway) rwy centreline lgt
LD Landing direction indicator lights ldi lgt
LE Runway edge lights (specify runway) rwy edge lgt
LF Sequenced flashing lights (specify runway) sequenced flg lgt
LH High intensity runway lights (specify runway) high intst rwy lgt
LI Runway end identifier lights (specify runway) rwy end id lgt
LJ Runway alignment indicator lights (specify rwy alignment indicator lgt
runway)
LK Category II components of approach lighting category II components
system (specify runway) apch lgt
LL Low intensity runway lights (specify runway) low intst rwy lgt
LM Medium intensity runway lights (specify runway) medium intst rwy lgt
LP Precision approach path indicator (PAPI) (specify papi
runway)
LR All landing area lighting facilities ldg area lgt fac
LS Stopway lights (specify runway) swy lgt
LT Threshold lights (specify runway) thr lgt
LV Visual approach slope indicator system (specify vasis
type and runway)
LW Heliport lighting heliport lgt
LX Taxiway centre line lights (specify taxiway) twy centreline lgt
LY Taxiway edge lights (specify taxiway) twy edge lgt
LZ Runway touchdown zone lights (specify runway) rwy tdz lgt

7
 THE NOTAM CODE
DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
AGA Movement and Landing Area (M)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
MA Movement area mov area
MB Bearing strength (specify part of landing area or bearing strength
movement area)
MC Clearway (specify runway) cwy
MD Declared distances (specify runway) declared dist
MG Taxiing guidance system tax guidance system
MH Runway arresting gear (specify runway) rwy arst gear
MK Parking area prkg area
MM Daylight markings (specify threshold, centre line, day markings
etc.)
MN Apron apron
MP Aircraft stands (specify) acft stand
MR Runway (specify runway) rwy
MS Stopway (specify runway) swy
MT Threshold (specify runway) thr
MU Runway turning bay (specify runway) rwy turning bay
MW Strip (specify runway) strip
MX Taxiway(s) (specify) twy

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
AGA Facilities and Services (F)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
FA Aerodrome ad
FB Braking action measurement equipment (specify ba measurement eqpt
type)
FC Ceiling measurement equipment ceiling measurement
eqpt
FD Docking system (specify AGNIS, BOLDS, etc.) dckg system
FF Fire fighting and rescue fire and rescue
FG Ground movement control gnd mov ctl
FH Helicopter alighting area/platform hel alighting area
FL Landing direction indicator ldi
FM Meteorological service (specify type) met

8
FO Fog dispersal system fog dispersal
FP Heliport heliport
FS Snow removal equipment snow removal eqpt
FT Transmissometer (specify runway and, where transmissometer
applicable, designator(s) of transmissometer(s))
FU Fuel availability fuel avbl
FW Wind direction indicator wdi
FZ Customs cust

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
COM Communications and Radar Facilities (C)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
CA Air/ground (specify service and frequency) a/g fac
CE En route surveillance radar rsr
CG Ground controlled approach system (GCA) gca
CL Selective calling system (SELCAL) selcal
CM Surface movement radar smr
CP Precision approach radar (PAR) (specify runway) par
CR Surveillance radar element of precision approach sre
radar system (specify wavelength)
CS Secondary surveillance radar (SSR) ssr
CT Terminal area surveillance radar (TAR) tar

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
COM Instrument and Microwave Landing System (I)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
ID DME associated with ILS ils dme
IG Glide path (ILS) (specify runway) ils gp
II Inner marker (ILS) (specify runway) ils im
IL Localizer (ILS) (specify runway) ils liz
IM Middle marker (ILS) (specify runway) ils mm
IO Outer marker (ILS) (specify runway) ils om
IS ILS Category I (specify runway) ils I
IT ILS Category II (specify runway) ils II
IU ILS Category III (specify runway) ils III

9
IW Microwave landing system (MLS) (specify mls
runway)
IX Locator, outer (ILS) (specify runway) ils lo
IY Locator, middle (ILS) (specify runway) ils lm

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
COM Terminal and En Route Navigation Facilities (N)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
NA All radio navigation facilities (except...) all rdo nav fac
NB Nondirectional radio beacon ndb
NC DECCA decca
ND Distance measuring equipment (DME) dme
NF Fan marker fan mkr
NL Locator (specify identification) l
NM VOR/DME vor/dme
NN TACAN tacan
NO OMEGA omega
NT VORTAC vortac
NV VOR vor
NX Direction finding station (specify type and df
frequency)

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
RAC Airspace Organization (A)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
AA Minimum altitude (specify en mnm alt
route/crossing/safe)
AC Class B, C, D, or E Surface Area ctr
AD Air defense identification zone (ADIZ) adiz
AE Control area (CTA) cta
AF Flight information region (FIR) fir
AH Upper control area (UTA) uta
AL Minimum usable flight level mnm usable fl
AN Area navigation route rnav route
AO Oceanic control area (OCA) oca

10
AP Reporting point (specify name or Coded rep
designator)
AR ATS route (specify) ats route
AT Class B Airspace tma
AU Upper flight information region (UIR) uir
AV Upper advisory area (UDA) uda
AX Intersection (INT) int
AZ Aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ) atz

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
RAC Air Traffic and VOLMET Services (S)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
SA Automatic terminal information service atis
(ATIS)
SB ATS reporting office aro
SC Area control centre (ACC) acc
SE Flight information service (FIS) fis
SF Aerodrome flight information service (AFIS) afis
SL Flow control centre flow ctl centre
SO Oceanic area control centre (OAC) oac
SP Approach control service (APP) app
SS Flight service station (FSS) fss
ST Aerodrome control tower (TWR) twr
SU Upper area control centre (UAC) uac
SV VOLMET broadcast volmet
SY Upper advisory service (specify) advisory ser

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
RAC Air Traffic Procedures (P)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
PA Standard instrument arrival (STAR) (specify route star
designator)
PB Standard VFR arrival std vfr arr
PC Contingency procedures contingency proc
PD Standard instrument departure (SID) (specify route sid

11
 designator)
PE Standard VFR departure std vfr dep
PF Flow control procedure flow ctl proc
PH Holding procedure hldg proc
PI Instrument approach procedure (specify type and inst apch proc
runway)
PL Obstacle clearance limit (specify procedure) ocl
PK VFR approach procedure vfr apch proc
PM Aerodrome operating minima (specify procedure opr minima
and amended minimum)
PN Noise operating restrictions noise opr restrictions
PO Obstacle clearance altitude oca
PP Obstacle clearance height och
PR Radio failure procedure radio failure proc
PT Transition altitude transition alt
PU Missed approach procedure (specify runway) missed apch proc
PX Minimum holding altitude (specify fix) mnm hldg alt
PZ ADIZ procedure adiz proc

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
Navigation Warnings: Airspace Restrictions (R)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
RA Airspace reservation (specify) airspace reservation
RD Danger area (specify national prefix and ..d..
number)
RO Overflying of ... (specify) overflying
RP Prohibited area (specify national prefix and ..p..
number)
RR Restricted area (specify national prefix and ..r..
number)
RT Temporary restricted area tempo restricted

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
Navigation Warnings: Warnings (W)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
WA Air display air display

12
WB Aerobatics aerobatics
WC Captive balloon or kite captive balloon or kite
WD Demolition of explosives demolition of explosives
WE Exercises (specify) exer
WF Air refueling air refueling
WG Glider flying glider flying
WJ Banner/target towing banner/target towing
WL Ascent of free balloon ascent of free balloon
WM Missile, gun or rocket firing frng
WP Parachute jumping exercise (PJE) pje
WS Burning or blowing gas burning or blowing gas
WT Mass movement of aircraft mass mov of acft
WV Formation flight formation flt
WZ model flying model flying

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
Other Information (O)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
OA Aeronautical information service ais
OB Obstacle (specify details) obst
OE Aircraft entry requirements acft entry rqmnts
OL Obstacle lights on ... (specify) obst lgt
OR Rescue coordination centre rcc

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS
Availability (A)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
AC Withdrawn for maintenance withdrawn maint
AD Available for daylight operation avbl day ops
AF Flight checked and found reliable fltck okay
AG Operating but ground checked only, awaiting opr awaiting fltck
flight check
AH Hours of service are now hr ser
AK Resumed normal operations okay
AM Military operations only mil ops only
AN Available for night operation avbl night ops

13
AO Operational opr
AP Available, prior permission required avbl ppr
AR Available on request avbl o/r
AS Unserviceable u/s
AU Not available (specify reason if appropriate) not avbl
AW Completely withdrawn withdrawn
AX Previously promulgated shutdown has been promulgated shutdown cnl
cancelled

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS
Changes (C)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
CA Activated act
CC Completed cmpl
CD Deactivated deactivated
CE Erected erected
CF Operating frequency(ies) changed to freq change
CG Downgraded to downgraded to
CH Changed changed
CI Identification or radio call sign changed to ident change
CL Realigned realigned
CM Displaced displaced
CO Operating opr
CP Operating on reduced power opr reduced pwr
CR Temporarily replaced by tempo rplcd by
CS Installed installed
CT On test, do not use on test, do not use

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS
Hazard Conditions (H)
Code Signification Uniform
Abbreviated
Phraseology
HA Braking action is ... ba is
1)Poor

2)Medium/Poor

14
3)Medium

4)Medium/Good

5)Good
HB Braking coefficient is ... (specify measurement brkg
device used) coefficient is
HC Covered by compacted snow to depth of cov compacted
snow depth
HD Covered by dry snow to a depth of cov dry snow
depth
HE Covered by water to a depth of cov water
depth
HF Totally free of snow and ice free of snow
and ice
HG Grass cutting in progress grass cutting
HH Hazard due to (specify) hazard due
HI Covered by ice cov ice
HJ Launch planned ... (specify balloon flight launch plan
identification or project Code name, launch site,
planned period of launch(es)_date/time, expected
climb direction, estimate time to pass 18,000 m
(60,000 ft), together with estimated location)
HK Migration in progress migration inpr
HL Snow clearance completed snow clr cmpl
HM Marked by marked by
HN Covered by wet snow or slush to a depth of cov wet snow
depth
HO Obscured by snow obscured by
snow
HP Snow clearance in progress snow clr inpr
HQ Operation cancelled ... (specify balloon flight opr cnl
identification or project Code name)
HR Standing water standing water
HS Sanding in progress sanding
HT Approach according to signal area only apch according
signal area
only
HU Launch in progress ... (specify balloon flight launch inpr
identification or project Code name, launch site,
date/time of launch(es), estimated time passing
18,000 m (60,000 ft), or reaching cruising level if
at or below 18,000 m (60,000 ft), together with
estimated location, estimated date/time of

15
 termination of the flight, and planned location of
ground contact when applicable)
HV Work completed work cmpl
HW Work in progress wip
HX Concentration of birds bird
concentration
HY Snow banks exist (specify height) snow banks hgt
HZ Covered by frozen ruts and ridges cov frozen ruts
and ridges

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS
Limitations (L)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
LA Operating on auxiliary power supply opr aux pwr
LB Reserved for aircraft based therein reserved for acft based therein
LC Closed clsd
LD Unsafe unsafe
LE Operating without auxiliary power supply opr without aux pwr
LF Interference from interference from
LG Operating without identification opr without ident
LH Unserviceable for aircraft heavier than u/s acft heavier than
LI Closed to IFR operations clsd ifr ops
LK Operating as a fixed light opr as f lgt
LL Usable for length of...and width of... usable length/width
LN Closed to all night operations clsd night ops
LP Prohibited to prohibited to
LR Aircraft restricted to runways and taxiways acft restricted to rwy and twy
LS Subject to interruption subj intrp
LT Limited to limited to
LV Closed to VFR operations clsd vfr ops
LW Will take place will take place
LX Operating but caution advised due to opr but caution due

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS
Other (XX)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology

16
XX Where 4th and 5th letter Code does not cover the (plain language
situation, use XX and supplement by plain language following the
NOTAM Code)

17
 BACK TO THE METAR/TAF PAGE

Aerodrome forecast - TAF decode

CODE ELEMENT EXAMPLE DECODE NOTES

1 Report type

TAF 'TAF' Name for an aerodrome

forecast

2 Location

EGSS 'London Stansted' Station four-letter ICAO

indicator

3 Date/Time of origin

130500Z 'For the 13th at oh, Usually omitted

five, hundred, Zulu'

4 Validity time

130716 'Valid from oh, seven, UTC (Greenwich Mean

hundred, to, sixteen, Time)
hundred, on the 13th'

5 Wind

31015G25KT 'Three one zero VRB = Variable; 00000KT =

degrees fifteen, max calm
twenty five knots'

6 Min visibility or CAVOK*

8000 'Eight kilometres' 9999 = 10 km or more; 0000

= less than 50 metres

7 Significant weather

-SHRA 'Light rain showers' See present weather table on

METAR page for details;
NSW = No significant
weather

18
8 Cloud

FEW005 'Few at 500 feet, SKC = sky clear; FEW = 1-2

SCT010 scattered at one oktas; SCT = 3-4 oktas;
SCTO18CB thousand feet, BKN = 5-7 oktas; OVC = 8
BKN025 scattered oktas; '///' = state of sky
cumulonimbus at one obscured (figures after '///'
thousand eight will give forecast vertical
hundred feet. Broken visibility in hundred of feet)
at two thousand five NSC = no significant cloud
hundred feet' (none below 5,000 feet and
no CB) CB will be the only
cloud type specified

9 Significant changes

Probability PROB30 '30% probability' Normally only 30% or 40%

probability will be used.

Time 1416 'from fourteen hundred Indicates beginning and end

to sixteen hundred,' time of forecast period in
or Universal Time Co-ordinated
(UTC) or Zulu time (Z)

Change indicator BECMG 1416 'becoming from Also TEMPO = temporarily

fourteen hundred to may be used
FM 1400 sixteen hundred'
or
'from fourteen
hundred' followed by

Met. groups TSRA 'Thunderstorm with Met. group follows

BKN010CB rain, broken indicating a change in some
cumulonimbus at one or all of the elements
thousand feet' forecast in the first part of
the TAF

*Indicates a mandatory code element, CAVOK will replace visibility and cloud groups

Example
18-hr TAF
19
FTUK31 EGGY 102200
EGLL 110624 13010KT 9000 BKN010 BECMG 0608 SCT015 BKN020
PROB30 TEMPO 0816 17025G40KT 4000 TSRA SCT010 BKN015CB BECMG 1821
3000 BR SKC=

Decode
Eighteen-hour TAF issued at 2200 Zulu on the 10th. London Heathrow valid from oh six
hundred to midnight the next day. Wind one three zero degrees ten knots. Nine kilometres
visibility. Broken at one thousand feet. Becoming from oh six hundred to oh eight hundred,
scattered at one thousand five hundred feet, broken at two thousand feet. Prob thirty,
temporarily oh eight hundred to sixteen hundred, wind one seven zero degrees twenty five
knots, gusting to forty knots. Four thousand metres visibility. Thundertorm with rain.
Scattered at one thousand feet. Broken cumulonimbus at one thousand five hundred feet.
Becoming from eighteen hundred to twenty one hundred, three thousand metres visibility,
mist, sky clear.

Example
9-hour TAF
FCUK33 EGGY 300900
EGGW 301019 23010KT 9999 SCT010 BKN018 BECMG 1114 6000 -RA BKN012
TEMPO 1418 2000 DZ OVC004 FM1800 30020G30KT 9999 -SHRA BKN015CB=

Decode
Nine-hour TAF issued at 0900 Zulu on the 30th. Luton valid from ten hundred to nineteen
hundred Zulu on the 30th. Wind two three zero degrees ten knots. Ten kilometres or more
visibility. Scattered at one thousand feet. Broken at one thousand eight hundred feet.
Becoming from eleven hundred to fourteen hundred, six kilometres, light rain. Broken at
one thousand two hundred feet. Temporarily fourteen hundred to eighteen hundred. Two
thousand metres visibility. Moderate drizzle. Overcast four hundred feet. From eighteen
hundred, three zero zero degrees twenty knots gusting to thirty knots. Ten kilometres or
more visibility. Light rain showers. Broken CB one thousand five hundred feet.

( For METAR runway state group decoding, click

here: )

Aerodrome actual weather - METAR decode

CODE
EXAMPL
ELEMEN DECODE NOTES
E
T

20
1 Identification*

METAR METAR METAR METAR — aviation routine report,

Location EGLL London Station four-letter indicator

indicator Heathrow

Date/Time 291020Z 'ten twenty Usually omitted when METARS are presented in
Zulu on the bulletin.
29th'

2 Wind

Wind 31015G27 'three one Max only given if >= 10KT greater than the mean.
direction/sp KT zero VRB = variable. 00000KT = calm.
eed degrees,
fifteen
knots, max
twenty
seven
knots'

Extreme 280V350 'varying Variation given in clockwise direction, but only

direction between when mean speed is greater than 3 KT.
variance two eight
zero and
three five
zero
degrees'

3 Visibility

Minimum 1400SW 'one 0000 = 'less than 50 metres' 9999 = 'ten kilometres
visibility thousand or more'. Direction (given by eight-point compass)
four is appended to the minimum visibility when
hundred minimum visibility is <= 5000m and maximum is
metres to at least 50% greater than this. .
south-west'

Maximum 6000N 'six Given where minimum visibility < 1500 m and
visibility thousand maximum > 5000 m.
metres to
the north'

4 RVR

R27R/110 'RVR, RVR tendency (U = increasing; D = decreasing;

0 runway N = no change; not reported in UK at present)

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 two seven may be added after figure e.g.
right, one R27R/1100D P1500 = more than 1500 m;
thousand M0050 = less than 50 m. Significant variations —
one example : R24/0950V1100, i.e. varying between
hunded two values.
metres'

5 Present weather

+SHRA 'heavy rain + = Heavy (well developed in the case of +FC and
showers' +PO); - = Light; no qualifier = Moderate.

BC=Patche BL=Blowin BR=Mist DR=Drifti

s g ng

DS=Dustst DU=Dust DZ=Drizzle FC=Funn

orm el cloud

FG=Fog FU=Smoke FZ=Freezing GR=Hail

(>5mm)

GS=Small HZ=Haze IC=Ice MI=Shall

hail or crystals ow
snow
pellets

PL=Ice PO=Dust PR=Banks RA=Rain

pellets devils

SA=Sand SH=Showe SG=Snow SN=Snow

rs grains

SQ=Squall SS=Sandst TS=Thunderst VA=Volca

s orm orm nic ash

VC=In
vicinity

Up to three groups may be present, constructed

by selecting and combining from the above.
Group omitted if no weather to report.

6 Cloud

FEW005 'few at five SKC=Sky clear (0 oktas), FEW='few' (1-2 oktas),

BKN025 hundred SCT='Scattered' (3-4 oktas), BKN='Broken' (5-7
SCT010C feet, oktas), OVC='Overcast'. There are only two cloud

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 B scattered types reported; TCU=towering cumulus and
cumulonim CB=cumulonimbus. W///='state of sky obscured'
bus at one (cloud base not discernable): Figures in lieu of '///'
thousand give vertical visibility in hundreds of feet. Up to
feet, three, but occasionally more, cloud groups may be
broken at reported.
two
thousand
five
hundred
feet'

7 CAVOK#

CAVOK 'cav-oh- Visibility greater or equal to 10 km, no

kay' cumulonimbus, no cloud below 5000 ft or highest
MSA (greater) and no weather significant to
aviation.

8 Temp and dew point

10/03 'temperatu If dew point is missing, example would be reported

re ten as 10///.
degrees
Celcius,
dew point
three
degrees
Celcius'

9 QNH*

Q0995 'nine nine Q indicates millibars. If the letter A is used QNH is

five' in inches and hundredths.

10 Recent weather

RETS 'recent RE = Recent, weather codes given above. Up to

thundersto three groups may be present.
rm'

11 Wind shear

WS 'wind Will not be reported at present for UK

RWY24 shear aerodromes.
runway
two four'

12 Trend

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 BECMG 'becoming BECMG=Becomi TEMPO=Temporar NOSIG=N
FM1100 from 1100, ng ily o sig
23035G50 230 change
KT degrees 35
TEMPO KT , max
NSW=No sig AT=At FM=From
FM0630 50 KT,
TL 0830 temporaril weather
3000 y from
SHRA 0630 until TL=Until NSC=No sig cloud
0830, 3000
metres, Any of the wind forecast, visibility, weather or
Moderate cloud groups may be used, and CAVOK. Multiple
rain groups may be present.
shower's

*Indicates a mandatory code element #CAVOK will replace visibility and cloud groups

Example
SAUK02 EGGY 301220 METAR
EGLY 24015KT 200V280 8000 —RA FEW010 BKN025 OVC080 18/15
Q0983 TEMPO 3000 RA BKN008 OVC020=

An example of the above METAR for 1220 UTC on the 30th of the month, in plain
language:
EGLY: Surface wind: mean 240 deg true, 15 kn; varying between 200 and 280 deg;
minimum vis 8 km; light rain; cloud; 1-2 oktas base 1000 ft , 5-7 oktas 2500 ft, 8 oktas 8000
ft; temperature +18 °C, dew point +15°C; QNH 983 mb; Trend: temporarily 3000 m in
moderate rain with 5-7 oktas 800 ft, 8 oktas 2000 ft.

Example
SAUK02 EGGY 301220 METAR
EGPZ 30025G37KT 270V360 1200NE 6000S +SHSN SCT005 BKN010CB
03/M01 Q0999 RETS BECMG AT1300 NSW SCT015 BKN100=

An example of the above METAR for 1220 UTC on the 30th of the month, in plain
language:
EGPZ: Surface wind: mean 300 deg true, 25 kn; maximum 37 kn, varying between 270 and
360 deg; minimum vis 1200 m (to north-east), maximum vis 6 km (to south); heavy shower
of snow, Cloud; 3-4 oktas base 500 ft , 5-7 oktas CB base 1000 ft, temperature +3°C, dew
point -1°C; QNH 999 mb; Thunderstorm since the previous report; Trend: improving at 1300
Zulu to 10 km or more, nil weather, 3-4 oktas 1500 ft, 5-7 oktas 10,000 ft.

Optional groups (Forecast icing, Turbulence & Temperature)

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T= Temperature group indicator

Temperature: two digits (if below 0°, will be preceded by “M”),”/”

Expected time temperature will be reached: 2 digits, Z.

Icing Layer(s): 6 digits for each icing group (6WXXXY).

6: first digit of the icing group is always a 6.

Icing type: Second digit:

Icing Intensity Location
0 None None
1 Light Icing
2 Light Icing In cloud
3 Light Icing In precipitation
4 Moderate
5 Moderate In cloud
6 Moderate In precipitation
7 Severe
8 Severe In cloud
9 Severe In precipitation

Icing layer’s base: next 3 digits. (direct reading in 100s of ft/30s meters)

Thickness of icing layer: last digit:

Thickness of Layer
0 Up to top of cloud
1 300m/1000’
2 600m/2000’
3 900m/2000’
4 1200m/4000’
5 1500m/5000’
6 1800m/6000’
7 2100m/7000’
8 2400m/8000’
9 2700m/9000’

Turbulence Layer(s): 6 Digits (5WXXXY)

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5: first digit of the turbulence group is always a 5.

Turbulence type: Second digit:

Intensity Weather Condition Frequency
0 None
1 Light
2 Moderate Clear Occasional
3 Moderate Clear Frequent
4 Moderate Cloud Occasional
5 Moderate Cloud Frequent
6 Severe Clear Occasional
7 Severe Clear Frequent
8 Severe Cloud Occasional
9 Severe Cloud Frequent

Turbulence layer’s base: next 3 digits. (direct reading in 100s of ft/30s meters)

Thickness of turbulence layer: last digit:

Thickness of Layer
0 Up to top of cloud
1 300m/1000’
2 600m/2000’
3 900m/2000’
4 1200m/4000’
5 1500m/5000’
6 1800m/6000’
7 2100m/7000’
8 2400m/8000’
9 2700m/9000’

This site was last updated 08/20/10

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