Decoding METARS
"04590147"
"54590159"
"2591//95"
These are all runway state codes.
Decode as them as follows
(a) Runway Designator (First Two Digits)
27 = Runway 27 or 27L 88 = All runways
77 = Runway 27R 99 = A repetition of the last message received
(50 added to the designator for 'right' Runway) because no new information received.
(b) Runway Deposits (Third Digit)
0 = Clear and dry 6 = Slush
1 = Damp 7 = Ice
2 = Wet or water patches 8 = Compacted or rolled snow
3 = Rime or frost covered 9 = Frozen ruts or ridges
(depth normally less than 1 mm) / = Type of deposit not reported
4 = Dry Snow (eg due to runway clearance in progress).
5 = Wet Snow
(c) Extent of Runway Contamination (Fourth Digit)
1 = 10% or less 9 = 51% to 100%
2 = 11% to 25% / = Not reported (eg due to runway clearance in
5 = 26% to 50% progress).
(d) Depth of Deposit (Fifth and Sixth Digits)
The quoted depth is the mean number of readings or, if operationally significant, the greatest depth measured.
00 = less than 1 mm 96 = 30 cm
01 = 1 mm etc 97 = 35 cm
through to 98 = 40 cm or more
90 = 90 mm 99 = Runway(s) non-operational due to snow,
91 = not used slush, ice, large drifts or runway clearance,
92 = 10 cm but depth not reported.
93 = 15 cm // = Depth of deposit operationally not significant
94 = 20 cm or not measurable.
95 = 25 cm
(e) Friction Co-efficient or Braking Action (Seventh and Eighth Digits)
The mean value is transmitted or, if operationally significant, the lowest value. For example:
28 = Friction co-efficient 0.28 95 = Braking action: Good
35 = Friction co-efficient 0.35 99 = Figures unreliable (eg if equipment has been
or used which does not measure satisfactorily
91 = Braking action: Poor in slush or loose snow)
92 = Braking action: Medium/Poor // = Braking action not reported (eg runway not
93 = Braking action: Medium operational; closed; etc)
94 = Braking action: Medium/Good
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