Question Re: METAR and TAF

[Fly Hunt Fish NZ]

Hey all,

Am about to start my CPL/MEIR course in the next couple of weeks.
Leaving school at 15, I didn't have the minimum requirements to gain entry to the course. Made a deal with the flight school that if I passed 2 of the CPL theory exams then they would let me in. Flew through the human factors exam. Have the Air Law exam on Tuesday. Due to the fact that I have self studied and have not had access to the material for Meteorology etc some of the questions in the CPL Law practice exam are a bit beyond me. Did a bit of a search and think I understand most of the METAR and TAF information. Just want some reassurance that I'm on the right track in case something similar pops up in the exam.

There's a question relating to the info below...

METAR NZGM 160200Z AUTO 24015 6000NDV -RASH BKN008/// OVC120/// 16/14 Q1004
TAF NZGM 151450Z 1515/1608 22020 12KM BKN012 RASH BECMG 0508 8000 BKN018 OVC120

So, my first attempt at breaking it down....

METAR NZGM
160200= 16th at 0200UTC
AUTO = Automated forecast
24015 = 240 degrees at 15kts
6000NDV= 6000m No directional variation
RASH = Rain + Showers
BKN008= Broken cloud at 800ft
OVC120= Overcast at 12000ft
16/14= 16 degrees, dewpoint 14 degrees
Q1004= Altimeter setting

TAF NZGM
151450Z= 15th at 1450UTC
1515/1608= Valid from 15th at 1500 til 16th at 0800
22020= 220 degrees at 20kts
12KM= visibility
BKN012= Broken cloud at 1200ft
RASH= Rain + Showers
BECMG 0508= Becoming, between 0500 and 0800
8000= 8kms visibility
BKN018= Broken cloud at 1800ft
OVC120= Overcast at 12000ft

Might seem a simple to you, but 30 minutes ago it was all gibberish to me.
The way i'm understanding it is METAR relates to actual current conditions and the TAF is a longer range forecast with predictions?

The answer to the question ( I cheated and looked in the back) is that GM is currently closed (as at 0200UTC- time of latest METAR) but forecast to be open at the time of the ATO which i'm guessing is due to the fact that .135 operations in uncontrolled airspace must have a ceiling of at least 1000ft.

Hope that's right... Anyone??
Thanks in advance!

[gear tilt]

hey thats good job for your effort...
just an addition,with the -/+ signs before any precipitation usually indicates light and heavy respectively (ie. - for light and + for heavy) and lack of it means moderate....
all the best!!

[Nirak]

TAF = a prediction into the future, the weatherman's best effort 'seeing' what he/she thinks will happen in the next 6 to 30 hours ahead.

METAR = recent history. It already happened and was actually measured or observed in the 10 minutes prior to the time of the report.

Good luck

[Tinstaafl]

The name gives it away:

Meteorological Aviation Report (or 'Observation Routine' from a French description). You can't observe & report about something that hasn't happened yet.

Terminal Aviation Forecast. A forecast is an attempt to predict some future event(s).

[Mimpe]

metar is on the spot current
taf is a prediction and the time of currency is very relevant to the safety and legality of the flight depending on your flight rules.

Personal minima is a separate matter but well worth considering in addition when hour building.

TAF height is agl not amsl and there can be a considerable difference (compared to area forecasts) at destinations with significant elevation.

[Halfwayback]

METAR NZGM
160200= 16th at 0200UTC
AUTO = Automated forecast - no - reading
24015 = 240 degrees at 15kts
6000NDV= 6000m No directional variation
RASH = Rain + Showers the - before makes it Light Rain showers
BKN008= Broken cloud at 800ft
OVC120= Overcast at 12000ft
16/14= 16 degrees, dewpoint 14 degrees
Q1004= Altimeter setting


Just a couple of small points to answer your OP.

HWB

[Grasscarp]

I would just add that the 1004 is millibars (as well as being an altimeter setting). However they now want us to call it hectopascals!