How to Read METARs and TAFs for the Part 107 Test
Updated October 27, 2026
Weather is a full section of the Part 107 knowledge test, and many of its questions give you a METAR (a current weather report) or a TAF (a forecast) to decode. They look cryptic, but they always follow the same order. Here’s how to read them, followed by free practice questions.
Decoding a METAR
Example: METAR KDFW 271853Z 18012G20KT 10SM FEW040 BKN250 24⁄14 A3002
| Part | Means |
|---|---|
| KDFW | The airport (Dallas/Fort Worth) |
| 271853Z | The 27th of the month, at 1853 Zulu (UTC) |
| 18012G20KT | Wind from 180° (true) at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots |
| 10SM | Visibility 10 statute miles |
| FEW040 | A few clouds at 4,000 feet above ground level |
| BKN250 | Broken clouds at 25,000 feet AGL (the ceiling) |
| 24⁄14 | Temperature 24°C, dew point 14°C |
| A3002 | Altimeter setting 30.02 inches of mercury |
Cloud coverage
| Code | Means | Is it a ceiling? |
|---|---|---|
| SKC or CLR | Clear | No |
| FEW | Few | No |
| SCT | Scattered | No |
| BKN | Broken | Yes |
| OVC | Overcast | Yes |
The ceiling is the lowest broken or overcast layer. Cloud heights are in hundreds of feet above ground level, so 040 means 4,000 feet.
TAFs
A TAF is a forecast for the area around an airport, usually covering 24 or 30 hours. It uses the same codes, plus time groups:
- 2718⁄2818: valid from the 27th at 1800Z to the 28th at 1800Z.
- FM272100: from the 27th at 2100Z, conditions change to what follows.
- TEMPO: temporary changes expected during the stated period.
- PROB30: a 30% chance of the conditions that follow.
Free METAR and TAF practice questions
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In a METAR, what does "27015G25KT" mean?Answer: CThe first three digits are the wind direction (270°), the next two are the speed (15 knots), and G25 means gusts to 25 knots.
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A METAR shows "SCT015 BKN030 OVC080." What is the ceiling?Answer: DThe ceiling is the lowest broken or overcast layer. Scattered doesn't count, so the ceiling is the broken layer at 3,000 feet.
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In a METAR, "A2992" means:Answer: AThe "A" group is the altimeter setting in inches of mercury: A2992 means 29.92 inches Hg.
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What does "M02/M05" mean in a METAR?Answer: B"M" means minus. The temperature is −2°C and the dew point is −5°C.
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What time zone are METAR and TAF times given in?Answer: CMETAR and TAF times are always in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), shown with a Z for "Zulu."
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In a TAF, what does "FM151800" mean?Answer: D"FM" means "from": starting on the 15th at 1800Z, the forecast changes to the conditions that follow.
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In a METAR, what does "00000KT" mean?Answer: BA wind group of 00000KT means calm winds.
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What does "VRB04KT" mean in a METAR?Answer: CVRB means the wind direction is variable. VRB04KT is a light, variable wind at 4 knots.
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A METAR shows "1/2SM +RA BR." What weather is reported?Answer: D1/2SM is half a statute mile of visibility, +RA is heavy rain (the plus sign means heavy), and BR is mist.
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What does "OVC005" mean?Answer: ACloud heights are in hundreds of feet above ground level, so 005 is 500 feet. An overcast layer is a ceiling.
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What is a SPECI report?Answer: BA SPECI is an unscheduled observation issued when conditions change significantly between routine hourly METARs.
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In a TAF, what does "TEMPO 2715/2718 3SM -SHRA" indicate?Answer: CTEMPO means temporary fluctuations during the stated period. 3SM is 3 statute miles visibility, and -SHRA is light rain showers.
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What does "VV002" mean in a METAR?Answer: DVV is vertical visibility into an indefinite ceiling, such as fog. VV002 means you can see 200 feet up.
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What does "AMD" mean in a TAF header?Answer: AAMD marks an amended TAF, issued when the original forecast is no longer accurate.
Pass the FAA Part 107 drone test on your first try
- All 308 questions across regulations, airspace, weather, loading and operations
- An explanation for every answer, with the rule or FAA source behind it
- Questions on the real test's figures: the FAA's sectional charts, METARs, TAFs and load factor chart, zoomable on any screen