What does a METAR report indicate?

A METAR report is essential for pilots and meteorologists as it provides current surface weather observations at an airport or weather station. This report contains specific information such as temperature, dew point, wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud cover, and any significant weather phenomena occurring at the time of the observation. The primary function of a METAR is to convey real-time data about the weather conditions experienced at the reporting location, which is crucial for flight planning and safety. The report is typically updated at regular intervals, usually every hour, making it a reliable source for assessing present weather conditions.

In contrast, forecasted weather conditions, historical weather patterns, and flight conditions over a route involve different types of reports or analyses that do not provide the immediate current weather scenario that METAR reports deliver.