If you’ve started your pilot training in Canada, you’ve likely seen a METAR—the coded aviation weather report used worldwide. At first glance, METARs look intimidating, full of numbers and abbreviations. But once you learn how to read them, you’ll realize they’re one of the most useful tools a pilot has.
This guide will break down METARs step by step, using Canadian examples, and give you practice exercises to sharpen your skills.
What Is a METAR?
- METAR stands for Meteorological Aerodrome Report.
- Issued every hour, it provides real-time weather at airports.
- Essential for planning safe flights and required knowledge for the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) exams.
Structure of a METAR
A typical METAR follows this order:
METAR CYYZ 121800Z 28012KT 15SM SCT025 BKN080 18/12 A2992 RMK CU2AC4 SLP132
Breaking it down:
- Station Identifier (CYYZ = Toronto Pearson)
- Date/Time (121800Z = 12th day at 1800 Zulu/UTC)
- Winds (28012KT = 280° at 12 knots)
- Visibility (15SM = 15 statute miles)
- Clouds (SCT025 = scattered at 2,500 ft; BKN080 = broken at 8,000 ft)
- Temperature/Dewpoint (18/12 = temp 18°C, dewpoint 12°C)
- Altimeter (A2992 = 29.92 inHg)
- Remarks (CU2AC4 SLP132 = extra info on cloud types and sea-level pressure)
Step-by-Step: How to Decode a METAR
Step 1: Identify the airport
Look for the four-letter ICAO code (e.g., CYYC for Calgary, CYOW for Ottawa).
Step 2: Decode the time
Format is DDHHMMZ (day, hour, minute, Zulu time). Convert to local time if needed.
Step 3: Read the winds
Direction (true north) + speed. If gusts are reported, they’ll appear as G##KT.
Step 4: Check visibility
In Canada, visibility is given in statute miles (SM).
Step 5: Interpret clouds
- FEW = 1–2 oktas
- SCT = scattered (3–4 oktas)
- BKN = broken (5–7 oktas)
- OVC = overcast (8 oktas)
Step 6: Temperature & dewpoint
Displayed as temp/dewpoint. A “M” means minus (e.g., M05 = -5°C).
Step 7: Altimeter setting
“A2992” means altimeter setting of 29.92 inches of mercury.
Step 8: Remarks
Optional section for more details like cloud types, runway conditions, or sea-level pressure.
Canadian METAR Examples
Example 1:
METAR CYEG 051500Z 22008KT 12SM BKN030 03/M01 A3010 RMK SC6
- Edmonton Intl at 1500Z.
- Winds: 220° at 8 knots.
- Visibility: 12 SM.
- Clouds: Broken at 3,000 ft.
- Temp: 3°C, Dewpoint: -1°C.
- Altimeter: 30.10.
- Remarks: Stratocumulus covering 6 oktas.
Example 2:
METAR CYYC 072000Z 34020G28KT 6SM -SN BKN015 OVC030 M02/M05 A2985 RMK SN2SC4
- Calgary Intl at 2000Z.
- Winds: 340° at 20 knots, gusting 28.
- Visibility: 6 SM.
- Weather: Light snow (-SN).
- Clouds: Broken at 1,500 ft, overcast at 3,000 ft.
- Temp: -2°C, Dewpoint: -5°C.
- Altimeter: 29.85.
- Remarks: Snow intensity 2, stratocumulus covering 4 oktas.
Practice Exercise
Try decoding this METAR (answer at the bottom):
METAR CYOW 111800Z 19015G22KT 10SM SCT040 BKN080 22/15 A3005 RMK CU3AC3
Why This Matters for Student Pilots
- METAR decoding is part of Transport Canada exams.
- Understanding weather builds decision-making confidence.
- It keeps you safe in real-world flying, especially in Canada’s diverse conditions.
Conclusion
Learning to decode a METAR may seem tricky at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. Start by breaking each report into sections and focus on the details that matter most for your flight planning.
Want to master weather reports and more? Enroll in Level Flight’s Online Ground School today.
Need extra help understanding METARs? Call us at 403-525-5622 and we’ll walk you through it.
Practice Exercise Answer
- CYOW Ottawa Intl at 1800Z
- Winds: 190° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 SM
- Clouds: Scattered at 4,000 ft, broken at 8,000 ft
- Temp: 22°C, Dewpoint: 15°C
- Altimeter: 30.05
- Remarks: Cumulus 3 oktas, altocumulus 3 oktas
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