Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Science

METAR Quiz: Decode and Read Aviation Weather Reports

Quick, free metar test to check your decoding skills. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Finaz AhmadUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Metar Practice Quiz testing METAR reading skills on teal background

This METAR quiz helps you practice reading and decoding aviation weather reports, from wind and visibility to temperature and altimeter. Build speed for checkrides or study sessions, then go deeper with our meteorology quiz, sharpen instruments with an altimeter reading quiz, or review broader topics with weather quiz questions.

In the wind group 23012G22KT, what is the steady wind speed being reported?
12 kt
230 kt
34 kt
22 kt
undefined
What does VRB03KT indicate about the wind?
Wind direction is variable with a speed of 3 kt
Wind varies between 030 and 300 degrees at 3 kt
Wind variable with gusts to 3 kt
Wind is calm and direction unknown
undefined
What does 00000KT mean in a METAR?
Calm wind
Wind unknown
Zero visibility
Wind from 000 at 0 gusting 0
undefined
In international METAR format, what does 9999 represent for visibility?
Visibility 10 km or more
Visibility 9 km
Visibility 9,999 m exactly
Visibility unavailable
undefined
In a US METAR, visibility 3SM means what?
3 nautical miles
3 meters
3 statute miles
3 kilometers
undefined
How do you interpret the temperature/dew point group M02/M06?
Temperature -2 F, Dew point -6 F
Temperature +2 C, Dew point +6 C
Temperature -2 C, Dew point -6 C
Temperature +2 C, Dew point -6 C
undefined
What does R06/1200V1800FT indicate?
Runway 06 length between 1,200 and 1,800 ft
Runway 06 wind varying between 120 and 180 degrees
Runway 06 visual approach from 1,200 to 1,800 feet AGL
Runway 06 RVR varying between 1,200 and 1,800 feet
undefined
In the group R23/0600U, what does the U at the end of the RVR group signify?
RVR is unknown
RVR is uniform across the runway
RVR is rising (upward trend)
RVR is unusable
undefined
What ceiling is reported when the cloud groups are SCT020 BKN040?
2,000 ft AGL
No ceiling is present
4,000 ft AGL
6,000 ft AGL
undefined
Which cloud amount constitutes a ceiling in METAR reporting?
Few (FEW) only
Scattered (SCT) only
Broken (BKN) or overcast (OVC)
Few (FEW) or scattered (SCT)
undefined
What does CAVOK indicate in international METARs?
Visibility 10 km or more, no cloud below 5,000 ft (or MSA), and no significant weather
Ceiling and visibility zero
Clear skies at all levels
Calm wind and unlimited visibility
undefined
How do you interpret WS R25 in a METAR?
Wind shear above 2,500 ft
Wind shift to runway heading 25
Wind shear reported in the vicinity of Runway 25
Wind calm on Runway 25
undefined
How do you interpret BKN/// in a METAR?
Cloud amount broken, height unknown or unavailable
Cloud height broken at 3,000 ft
No significant clouds reported
Vertical visibility 300 ft
undefined
What is indicated by R06/1200 without a unit suffix in an international METAR?
Runway 06 RVR 1.2 kilometers only in US
Runway 06 visual range unknown
Runway 06 RVR 1,200 feet
Runway 06 RVR 1,200 meters
undefined
In the US METAR remark PK WND 28045/30, what does it mean?
Peak wind 45 kt from 280 degrees occurred at 30 minutes past the hour
Peak wind 280 kt at 45 minutes past the hour
Peak wind 45 mph from 280 degrees at 30 seconds past
Peak wind 30 kt from 280 degrees at 45 minutes past the hour
undefined
What does SNOCLO indicate in a METAR or aerodrome report?
Snow cover low on runway
Snow showers likely
Snow clouds observed overhead
Aerodrome closed due to snow
undefined
In which part of a METAR would you find sea-level pressure coded as SLPxxx in US practice?
Remarks (RMK) section
Main body after QNH
Before station identifier
In the RVR group
undefined
Which of the following correctly indicates a variable wind direction at higher speeds?
A 3-digit mean wind with a variation group like 180V240
Using VAR after the wind group
Appending G for gusts
Using VRB regardless of speed
undefined
In international METARs, which visibility format is correct when multiple sector visibilities are provided?
The minimum prevailing visibility is in the main field; sector visibilities appear in remarks
All sector visibilities replace the main visibility
Sector visibilities are never reported
Only the maximum sector visibility is reported
undefined
Which of the following best interprets the remark T00151008 in a US METAR?
Temperature 0.15 C, dew point 0.08 C
Temperature 1.5 C, dew point 0.8 C (to tenths)
Temperature -1.5 C, dew point -0.8 C
Temperature 15.0 C, dew point 8.0 C
undefined
0

Study Outcomes

  1. Interpret METAR Reports -

    Understand the structure and components of METAR codes through our metar practice quiz, enabling you to quickly recognize key report elements.

  2. Decode Wind Information -

    Analyze wind direction and speed entries in practice metars to accurately determine aviation-critical wind patterns.

  3. Evaluate Visibility and Weather Conditions -

    Assess visibility ranges and weather phenomena within METAR reports to make informed decisions in varied flight scenarios.

  4. Calculate Temperature and Dew Point -

    Apply your metar reading practice to interpret temperature and dew point data, improving your understanding of atmospheric conditions.

  5. Apply Altimeter Settings -

    Learn to extract and set accurate altimeter values from METAR codes, ensuring precise altitude calculations for safe flight operations.

  6. Build Confidence for Real-World Use -

    Leverage this free metar quiz to reinforce your skills, boosting confidence and readiness for actual aviation weather interpretation challenges.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Wind Group Decoding -

    Master the wind group by parsing "27015G25KT" into 270° true direction, 15-knot steady wind, gusting to 25 knots. Use the mnemonic "DDD-SS[G-GG]-KT" (Direction, Speed, [Gust], Knots) from the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). This builds confidence in spotting crosswinds and gust factors in your metar practice.

  2. Visibility and RVR Interpretation -

    Interpret prevailing visibility in statute miles (e.g., "1/4SM") or meters for RVR (e.g., "R23/2400FT") by noting fractions and runway identifiers. ICAO Annex 3 and NOAA guidelines explain how to read "P6SM" as "greater than six miles" and RVR values by runway. Practicing these distinctions in a metar reading practice session helps you gauge safe landing minima confidently.

  3. Temperature/Dew Point Pairs -

    Decode temperature and dew point as "TT/DD" (e.g., "10/08") with "M" indicating minus for sub-zero values (e.g., "M03/M07"). Remember the motto "M adds Minus" and consult FAA AC00-6B for conversion standards. Regular metar quiz practice cements your ability to assess humidity and frost risk quickly.

  4. Altimeter Settings (QNH vs. QFE) -

    Read the pressure group "A2992" as 29.92 inHg and "Q1013" as 1013 hPa for international use by ICAO standards. The formula to switch units is in the UK Met Office MET Guide or FAA AIM: hPa × 0.02953 = inHg (e.g., 1013 × 0.02953 ≈ 29.92). Solid metar reading practice makes setting cockpit instruments second nature.

  5. Weather Phenomena Symbols -

    Memorize intensity and descriptor codes like "+TSRA" for heavy thunderstorms with rain or "-DZ" for light drizzle, as defined by the WMO and ICAO Annex 3. Use the simple phrase "Dot, Dash, Plus" to recall light (-), moderate (no symbol), and heavy (+) qualifiers before the two-letter phenomena code. Practicing with practice metars ensures you'll spot critical weather hazards instantly during pre-flight checks.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Earth & Space Science Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker