When are METARs issued?

Study for the METRO (Meteorology) – VT-10 Test. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam today!

Multiple Choice

When are METARs issued?

Routine METARs are issued hourly. To align the report time with the hour boundary and allow time to gather data from the observing systems, the standard practice is to release the routine METAR in the final minutes of the hour, typically 55–59 minutes past the hour. Special observations (SPECI) can be issued at any time when weather changes significantly, but routine METARs follow this hourly cadence. So the answer reflects the common window for standard METAR issuance.

Routine METARs are issued hourly. To align the report time with the hour boundary and allow time to gather data from the observing systems, the standard practice is to release the routine METAR in the final minutes of the hour, typically 55–59 minutes past the hour. Special observations (SPECI) can be issued at any time when weather changes significantly, but routine METARs follow this hourly cadence. So the answer reflects the common window for standard METAR issuance.

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