METAR RUSH

A free METAR decoder game: read METAR and TAF reports against the clock.

How to play

Each round gives you 60 seconds. A coded weather report appears on the card, followed by a quick question: what is the ceiling, are there gusts, what is the flight category, what is the temperature and dew point spread, is it legal VFR for a private pilot in Class E, or is it a go or no-go for the personal minimums shown. Answer by multiple choice, or tap the token in the report that holds the answer. That tap-the-token step is what teaches you where each piece of a METAR lives.

Five levels build the skill: basic tokens, sky conditions and ceilings, weather phenomena codes, remarks, and finally TAFs with FM, BECMG, TEMPO and PROB30 groups.

Learn to read METAR, the useful way

A METAR is a routine observation, usually issued hourly, with a SPECI added when conditions change significantly. The groups always follow the same order: station, time, wind, visibility, weather, sky, temperature and dew point, altimeter, then remarks. Flight category is the quick summary. VFR means a ceiling above 3,000 ft and visibility above 5 SM. MVFR is 1,000 to 3,000 ft or 3 to 5 SM. IFR is 500 to under 1,000 ft or 1 to under 3 SM. LIFR is below 500 ft or below 1 SM. The worse of the two decides.

In the air, a Stratux receiver with a 978 MHz radio shows METARs and TAFs for nearby airports through FIS-B, right in your EFB app. See how Stratux gets you weather and traffic, or read the Stratux learning guides. FIS-B weather is for situational awareness, so get an official briefing before you fly.

FAQ

What is a METAR?

A METAR is a routine aviation weather observation, issued about every hour. It packs wind, visibility, weather, sky condition, temperature, dew point and altimeter setting into one coded line.

How do I learn to read METAR?

Learn the order of the groups first, then the codes. METAR RUSH drills both: tap the token that answers each question, and every wrong answer shows a one-line explanation.

What are the flight categories?

VFR is a ceiling above 3,000 ft and visibility above 5 SM. MVFR is a ceiling of 1,000 to 3,000 ft or visibility of 3 to 5 SM. IFR is 500 to under 1,000 ft or 1 to under 3 SM. LIFR is under 500 ft or under 1 SM. The worse of ceiling and visibility sets the category.

Does this replace a weather briefing?

No. The reports are randomly generated for practice and are not real weather. Always get an official weather briefing before you fly.

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