SAWS AviationCodes
SAWS AviationCodes
SAWS AviationCodes
METAR Examples
TAF Examples
CCCC Location or Place - Four letter ICAO ID's designators are is used. (see: Locations)
AUTO Used when the observation is done without any human intervention.
VnVnVnVnDv
When the horizontal visibility is not the same in all directions, and the minimum visibility is <
1500m, or < 50% of the prevailing visibility a minimum and maximum visibility may be given
followed by the direction.
Dv is reported as the operationally lowest significant direction as one of the eight
points of the compass (N, NE, etc.), and consists of one or two letters only.
Values for D are:
N - North, NE - Northeast, E - East, SE - Southeast, S - South,
SW - Southwest, W - West, NW - Northwest.
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CAVOK.
Coded in place of the visibility, present weather and cloud groups when the following conditions
occur simultaneously at the time of observation:
RDRDR/ - Runway designator/point where the visibility is measured, coded as two digits.
VRVRVRVR - Measured visibility in meters.
i - Indicator for tendency in change in visibility
U – upward
D – downward
N - no tendency
RDRDR/VRVRVRVRvVRVRVRVRi Runway Visual Range when variation in visibility has been observed.
The fluctuation is considered significant when the visibility during the last 5 seconds
changes by 50m or 20% of the mean visibility of the previous 10 minutes.
v - Tendency for the visibility to change by 100m or more from the mean.
ww Weather
Used to report significant weather. The table below shows the abbreviations.
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Sign Present and Forecast Weather
Qualifier Weather Phenomena
Intensity of
Descriptor 2 Precipitation 3 Obscuration 4 Other 5
Proximity 1
(no qualifier) the aerodrome) IC= Ice crystals DU= Widespread waterspout)
DR = Low Drifting (diamond dust) Dust SS = Sandstorm
+ = Heavy BL = Blowing PE = Pellets SA = Sand DS = Dust storm
SH = Shower(s) GR= Hail HZ = Haze
VC = Vicinity > TS = Thunderstorm GS = Small hail
FZ = Freezing and/or
(super cooled) snow pellets
NsNsNshshshs Clouds (see also: CAVOK, NSC, Cloud Type, Cloud Atlas)
NsNsNs Cloud amount
The following abbreviations are used:
FEW - 1 to 2 octas
SCT - 3 to 4 octas
BKN - 5 to 7 octas
OVC - 8 octas
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No cloud
No Cumulonimbus
No cloud below 1 500 metres (5 000 ft) or below the highest minimum sector altitude,
whichever is the greater.
Visibility is less than 10 km
Significant weather phenomena is present
TT/TdTd Temperatures
TT – Temperature in whole degrees Celsius (rounded to the nearest whole number)
Td – Dew Point Temperature in whole degrees Celsius. (Rounded to the nearest whole
number)
QPHPHPHPH QNH
Q - indicator for QNH
PHPHPHPH - Pressure reduced to sea level. Reported as a whole number (ignoring the tenth
digit). Measured in hecto Pascal (HPa), 1 Hpa = 1 mB(millibar)
REw'w' shall only be included as recent weather IF the same phenomenon of the same or
greater intensity is not reported as present weather.
e.g.1 A heavy rainshower 20 minutes before the time of observation, with moderate rain
at the time of observation, shall be coded RERA.
e.g.2 Moderate rain 20 minutes before the time of observation, with a moderate rain
shower at the time of observation, shall not be coded as REw'w'.
— freezing precipitation
7) When the onset or cessation of any of the following weather phenomena occurs:
— freezing fog
— duststorm
— sandstorm
— squall
8) When any combination of weather in the significant weather table begins, ends or
changes intensity.
9) Height of the base of the lowest cloud layer of BKN or OVC extent, changes to or passes:
i. 100, 200, 500 or 1000ft.
ii. 1500ft where significant numbers of VFR flights are operating.
10) When the amount of cloud below 1500ft changes from:
i. from SCT or less to BKN or OVC
ii. from BKN or OVC to SCT or less
11) When the sky is obscured and vertical visibility changes to or passes:
i. 100, 200, 500, 1000ft.
12) Increase in temperature of 2 degrees Celsius or more.
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TAF CODE FORMAT
TAF
or NIL
TAF AMD CCCC YYGGggZ or dddffGfmfmKT
or Y1Y1G1G1/Y2Y2G2G2 or
TAF COR CNL
NsNsNShshshs
VVVV wlwl or VVhshshs
or or NSC
CAVOK
TXTFTF/YFYFGFGFZ TNTFTF/YFYFGFGFZ
PROBC2C2 or
PROBC2C2 TTTTT YYGG/YeYeGeGe VVVV wlwl NSNSNShshshs
or TTTTT dddffGfmfmKT or or VVhshshs
or or NSW or NSC
TTYYGGgg
CAVOK
AMD Amended
Amendments or changes made to previous TAF.
COR Corrected
Correction/s was made to the TAF.
CCCC Location or Place - Four letter ICAO ID's designators are is used. (see: Locations)
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NIL Missing
If not available or not received.
Y1Y1G1G1/Y2Y2G2G2
Y1Y1 Date of validity of the start of the TAF
G1G1 Time at start of TAF validity
Y2Y2 Date of validity of the end of the TAF
G2G2 Time at end of TAF validity
CNL Cancelled
TAF was cancelled. This may be due to the following reasons:
1. No observation (METAR) available.
2. TAF could not be kept under constant review.
CAVOK.
Coded in place of the visibility, present weather and cloud groups when the following conditions
occur simultaneously at the time of observation:
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No cloud of operational significance as defined in ICAO Annex 3.
Cloud of operational significance:
A cloud with the height of cloud base below 1 500 m (5 000 ft) or below the highest
minimum sector altitude, whichever is greater, or a cumulonimbus cloud or a towering
cumulus cloud at any height.
Visibility is more than 10 km
No significant weather phenomena is present
NsNsNshshshs Clouds (see also: CAVOK, NSC, Cloud Type, Cloud Atlas)
NsNsNs Cloud amount
The following abbreviations are used:
FEW - 1 to 2 octas
SCT - 3 to 4 octas
BKN - 5 to 7 octas
OVC - 8 octas
wlwl Forecast weather which are deemed significant to the aircraft operations
Using the appropriate abbreviations (see ww), forecast weather is restricted to the occurrence of
one or more, up to a maximum of three, of the following weather phenomena, together with
their characteristics:
Freezing (FZ) precipitation;
Freezing fog;
Moderate or heavy precipitation (including showers –SH);
Low drifting (DR) dust, sand or snow;- Duststorm (DS);
Sandstorm (SS);
Thunderstorms (TS);
Squall (SQ);
Funnel cloud (tornado or waterspout –FC);
Other weather phenomena given in code table 4678 which are expected to cause a significant
change in visibility.
TXTFTF/YFYFGFGFZ.
TX = Forecast maximum temperature to follow
TfTf = Forecasted maximum temperature in o Celcius
YfYf = Date of forecasted maximum temperature
GfGfZ= Hour in UTC of forecasted maximum temperature
TNTFTF/YFYFGFGFZ.
TN = Forecast minimum temperature to follow
TfTf = Forecasted minimum temperature in o Celcius
YfYf = Date of forecasted minimum temperature
GfGfZ= Hour in UTC of forecasted minimum temperature
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YYGG/YeYeGeGe.
YY is the date and GG time of start of expected change
YeYe is the date and GeGe time of end of expected change
TTYYGGgg.
TT = FM = Expected change expected FROM a specific time
YY = Date of expected change
GG = Time in hours of expected change
gg = Time in minutes of expected change
Sigwx Charts The only other cloud abbreviations used in Sigwx charts besides CB and TCU:
ST – Stratus
SC - Stratocumulus
CU – Cumulus
NS – Nimbostratus
AC – Altocumulus
AS - Altostratus
Cloud types not significant to aviation and are not in any aviation forecasts:
Ci – Cirrus Cs – Cirrostratus Cc – Cirrocumulus
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METAR Examples
METAR FALE 271130Z 19017KT 9999 SCT025 BKN045 26/20 Q1015 NOSIG=
Explanation:
Report for station FALE: King Shaka Intl Airport, South Africa 29.3652S 031.0711E
Observation time: [Day: 27] [Time: 11:30 GMT or 13:30 SAST]
Wind speed: 17kt (8.7 m/s)
Wind direction: 190°
Visibility: 10km or more
Clouds: Scattered Clouds (3 to 4 oktas) 2500ft agl
Clouds: Broken Clouds (5 to 7 oktas) 4500ft agl
Air Temperature: 26° C
Dew-Point Temperature: 20° C
Observed QNH: 1015 hPa
NOSIG No significant change is expected in the next two hours
SPECI FAOR 081340Z 19013G29KT 160V220 3000 -TSRA BR FEW014 SCT036CB 13/12 Q1020
TEMPO 1500 BKN010=
Explanation:
Forecast for station FAOR: O R Tambo Intl, South Africa 26.09S 028.1348E
Observation time: [Day: 08] [Time: 13:40 GMT or 15:40 SAST]
Wind speed: 13kt (6.5 m/s)
Wind direction: 190°
Wind direction variation: varying between 160o and 220o
Visibility: 3km
Present Weather: Light Thundershower with rain; mist
Clouds: Few Clouds (1 to 2 oktas) 1400ft agl
Clouds: Scattered Clouds (3 to 4 oktas) 3600ft agl ; Cumulonimbus clouds
Air Temperature: 13° C
Dew-Point Temperature: 12° C
Observed QNH: 1020 hPa
TREND A temporary change with the visibility being reduced to 1500m and
broken clouds (5-7octas) 1000ft agl is expected in the next two hours.
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TAF Examples
TAF FAUT 270900Z 2710/2718 21010KT 9999 SCT012 BKN025 TX23/2712Z TN20/2718Z
TEMPO 2710/2715 5000 RA BKN010=
Explanation:
Forecast for station FAUT: K. D. Matanzima Airport, South Africa 31.32S 028.40E
Observation time: [Day 27 09:00 UCT or 11:00 SAST]
Forecast start time: [Day 27 10:00 UCT or 12:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 27 18:00 UCT or
20:00 SAST]
Wind direction: 210°
Wind speed: 5.1 m/s (10kt)
Visibility: 10km or more
Scattered Clouds (3 to 4 oktas) at 360 meters (1200ft) AGL
Broken Clouds (5 to 7 oktas) at 750 meters (2500ft) AGL
Temporary Time: [Day 27 10:00 UCT or 12:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 27 15:00
UCT or 17:00 SAST]
Horizontal visibility: 5000 metres
Weather: Moderate Rain
Broken Clouds (5 to 7 oktas) at 300 meters (1000ft) AGL
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Observation time: [Day 27 10:00 UCT or 12:00 SAST]
Forecast start time: [Day 27 12:00 UCT or 14:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 28 18:00 UCT or
20:00 SAST]
Wind direction: 340°
Wind speed: 5.1 m/s (10kt)
Visibility: 10km or more
Scattered Clouds (3 to 4 oktas) at 1200 meters (4000ft) AGL
Becoming time: [Day 27 14:00 UCT or 16:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 27 16:00 UCT or
18:00 SAST]
Wind direction: 220°
Wind speed: 9.3 m/s (18kt)
Temporary Time: [Day 27 14:00 UCT or 16:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 27 19:00
UCT]
Horizontal visibility: 5000 metres
Weather: Moderate Thunderstorm with Rain
Few Clouds (1 to 2 oktas) at 1050 meters (3500ft) AGL is Cumulonimbus Cloud
Broken Clouds (5 to 7 oktas) at 2400 meters (8000ft) AGL
Becoming time: [Day 27 18:00 UCT or 20:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 27 20:00 UCT or
22:00 SAST]
Wind direction: 090°
Wind speed: 6.7 m/s (13kt)
Scattered Clouds (3 to 4 oktas) at 600 meters (2000ft)
Probability 40%
Temporary Time: [Day 28 00:00 UCT or 02:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 28 07:00
UCT or 09:00 SAST]
Horizontal visibility: 5000 metres
Weather: Mist
Broken Clouds (5 to 7 oktas) at 240 meters (800ft) AGL
Broken Clouds (5 to 7 oktas) at 600 meters (2000ft) AGL
Probability 30%
Temporary Time: [Day 28 00:00 UCT or 02:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 28 05:00
UCT or 07:00 SAST]
Horizontal visibility: 4000 metres
Weather: Moderate Showers of Rain; Mist
Broken Clouds (5 to 7 oktas) at 150 meters (500ft) AGL
Becoming time: [Day 28 09:00 UCT or 11:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 28 11:00 UCT or
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13:00 SAST]
Wind direction: 340°
Wind speed: 4.1 m/s ((8kt)
Scattered Clouds (3 to 4 oktas) at 1200 meters (4000ft) AGL
Probability 40%
Temporary Time: [Day 28 11:00 UCT or 13:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 28 18:00
UCT or 20:00 SAST]
Weather: Light Thunderstorm with Rain
Few Clouds (1 to 2 oktas) at 1050 meters (3500ft) AGL is Cumulonimbus Cloud
Becoming time: [Day 28 14:00 UCT or 16:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 28 16:00 UCT or
18:00 SAST]
Wind direction: 030°
Wind speed: 4.1 m/s (8kt)
Probability 30%
Temporary Time: [Day 28 14:00 UCT or 16:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 28 17:00
UCT or 19:00 SAST]
Horizontal visibility: 5000 metres
Weather: Moderate Thunderstorm with Rain
Scattered Clouds (3 to 4 oktas) at 900 meters (3000ft) AGL is Cumulonimbus Cloud
TAF AMD FAEL 271038Z 2710/2719 20010KT 9999 BKN010 TX24/2712Z TN21/2719Z
TEMPO 2710/2715 3000 DZ BR BKN007
BECMG 2710/2712 16006KT=
Explanation:
Forecast for station FAEL: East London Airport, South Africa 33.0208S 027.4933E
Observation time: [Day 27 10:38 UTC or 12:38 SAST]
Forecast start time: [Day 27 10:00 UTC or 12:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 27 19:00 UTC or
21:00 SAST]
Wind direction: 200°
Wind speed: 5.1 m/s (10kt)
Visibility: 10km or more
Broken Clouds (5 to 7 oktas) at 300 meters (1000ft) AGL
Temporary Time: [Day 27 10:00 UTC or 12:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 27 15:00
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UTC or 17:00 SAST]
Horizontal visibility: 3000 metres
Weather: Drizzle; Mist
Broken Clouds (5 to 7 oktas) at 210 meters (700ft) AGL
Becoming time: [Day 27 10:00 UTC or 12:00 SAST] Until time: [Day 27 12:00 UTC or
14:00 SAST]
Wind direction: 160°
Wind speed: 3.1 m/s (6kt)
The South African Weather Service uses ICAO codes for all aviation forecasts.
Familiarize yourself with these codes in order to understand the forecasts better.
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