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4 Answers

METAR Coverage Distance?

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General Aviation

I know that TAFs cover a distance of 5 sm of the reporting airport. Does anyone know the distance that METAR covers?

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4 Answers



  1. Steve Butler on Jun 21, 2014

    A TAF is a forecast of conditions surrounding the site, therefore the 5sm radius. A METAR is a report of conditions “at” a specific reporting location.

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  2. Best Answer


    Scott on Jun 21, 2014

    As Steve said, it’s basically where the sensors and/or observers are that determine what’s in the main part of the METAR. There’s a few things that can be qualified as VC(5-10 mi), and then DSNT (10+). If you ever want to learn all the nuiances of how METARs can be manually done, the Surface Weather Observers order is the go-to guide for how manual observations are taken.

    http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/JO%207900.5C.pdf

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  3. Wes Beard on Jun 21, 2014

    A better handbook on everything in a metar report.

    http://www.ofcm.gov/fmh-1/fmh1.htm

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  4. August on Jun 22, 2014

    Thank you all for your responses. I will take a look at those documents. It’s not anything that is critical for flying, but I was just curious.

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