METAR

An acronym for METeorological Aerodrome Report. This is the name given to the coded message corresponding to a routine aerodrome weather report. These reports are automatically generated and are reviewed before being issued; every half hour or hour, depending on the type of aerodrome. They allow the prevailing meteorological conditions at the various airports and air bases to be known. The METAR can contain a variable amount of information, but always adjusted to the same format, according to the guidelines established by ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organization). Access to these reports is public - via the Internet -, not being restricted to pilots.