AIM 

4/20/23 

(3) 

Altocumulus Castellanus (ACC), Stratocumulus Standing Lenticular (SCSL), Altocumulus 

Standing Lenticular (ACSL), Cirrocumulus Standing Lenticular (CCSL) or rotor clouds, describing the clouds 

(if needed) and the direction from the station. 

EXAMPLE

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ACC W  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  “altocumulus castellanus  west” 

ACSL SW

−

S  . . . . . . . . .  “standing lenticular altocumulus southwest through south” 

APRNT ROTOR CLD S  “apparent rotor cloud south” 

CCSL OVR MT E  . . . . .  “standing lenticular cirrocumulus over the mountains east” 

10.  Temperature/Dew Point. 

Temperature and dew point are reported in two, two-digit groups in degrees 

Celsius, separated by a solidus (“/”). Temperatures below zero are prefixed with an “M.” If the temperature is 

available but the dew point is missing, the temperature is shown followed by a solidus. If the temperature is 

missing, the group is omitted from the report. 

EXAMPLE

−

 

15/08  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  “temperature one five, dew point 8” 

00/M02  . . . . . . . . . . . .  “temperature zero, dew point minus 2” 

M05/  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  “temperature minus five, dew point missing” 

11.  Altimeter. 

Altimeter settings are reported in a four-digit format in inches of mercury prefixed with an 

“A” to denote the units of pressure. 

EXAMPLE

−

 

A2995 

−

 “Altimeter two niner niner five” 

12.  Remarks. 

Remarks will be included in all observations, when appropriate. The contraction “RMK” 

denotes the start of the remarks section of a METAR report. 
Except for precipitation, phenomena located within 5 statute miles of the point of observation will be reported 

as at the station. Phenomena between 5 and 10 statute miles will be reported in the vicinity, “VC.” Precipitation 

not occurring at the point of observation but within 10 statute miles is also reported as in the vicinity, “VC.” 

Phenomena beyond 10 statute miles will be shown as distant, “DSNT.” Distances are in statute miles except for 

automated lightning remarks which are in nautical miles. Movement of clouds or weather will be indicated by 

the direction toward which the phenomena is moving. 

(a) 

There are two categories of remarks: 

(1) 

Automated, manual, and plain language. 

(2) 

Additive and automated maintenance data. 

(b)  Automated, Manual, and Plain Language. 

This group of remarks may be generated from either 

manual or automated weather reporting stations and generally elaborate on parameters reported in the body of 

the report. (Plain language remarks are only provided by manual stations). 

(1) 

Volcanic eruptions. 

(2) 

Tornado, Funnel Cloud, Waterspout. 

(3) 

Station Type (AO1 or AO2). 

(4) 

PK WND. 

(5) 

WSHFT (FROPA). 

(6) 

TWR VIS or SFC VIS. 

(7) 

VRB VIS. 

(8) 

Sector VIS. 

(9) 

VIS 

@

 2

nd

 Site. 

(10) 

Lightning. When lightning is observed at a manual location, the frequency and location is 

reported. 

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Meteorology