Is this METAR and TAF decoder free to use?

Yes. SkyStudy publishes this public decoder as a free tool on skystudyatpl.com so pilots and students can decode live weather faster without opening the full study app first.

Can I compare multiple airports on the same page?

Yes. Start with one airport for a clean single-airport briefing, then add up to three more airports when you want a side-by-side compare for alternates or route options.

Where does the live weather come from?

The page uses the public NOAA aviation weather feed for METAR and TAF data, then layers SkyStudy's runway and wind logic on top for a clearer briefing view.

What does CAVOK mean in a METAR?

Ceiling and visibility OK: visibility 10 km or more, no cloud below 5,000 ft or below the highest minimum sector altitude (whichever is greater), no cumulonimbus or towering cumulus anywhere, and no significant weather. All four conditions must hold at once, which is exactly what exam questions test.

What is the difference between TEMPO and BECMG in a TAF?

TEMPO describes temporary fluctuations: each spell lasts less than an hour and in total covers less than half of the period given. BECMG describes a lasting change that develops at some point inside its window and then persists. Mixing the two is one of the most common Meteorology exam mistakes.

What does PROB30 mean in a TAF?

A 30% probability that the conditions in the group occur during the stated period. TAFs only use PROB30 and PROB40; anything more likely is written as a change group instead of a probability.

Public aviation weather

Free METAR and TAF decoder with multi-airport compare.

Pull a live METAR and TAF, compare up to four airports on one screen, and check which runway end lines up best with the reported wind.

In the EASA ATPL exam

Reading METAR and TAF code fluently is directly examined in ATPL Meteorology (subject 050), and the reports resurface in Flight Planning (033) whenever an alternate or fuel decision hangs on forecast weather. The questions hand you a raw report and ask what it says: change groups (TEMPO, BECMG, PROB30 and PROB40), the exact CAVOK conditions, RVR groups, and the visibility and cloud rules are the favourite targets, precisely the codes this decoder annotates for you.

Exam-style example

A TAF for your destination contains: TEMPO 1210/1214 3000 +SHRA BKN012CB. What does it forecast?

TEMPO 1210/1214: temporary fluctuations between 10:00 and 14:00 UTC on the 12th, each spell under an hour and under half the period in total.
3000: visibility falls to 3,000 m during those spells.
+SHRA: heavy rain showers.
BKN012CB: broken cumulonimbus with a base at 1,200 ft above the aerodrome.

Short-lived heavy shower activity with low CB and 3,000 m visibility between 10:00 and 14:00 UTC, briefing material for the alternate decision, not a permanent deterioration.

Common trap: Treating TEMPO like BECMG. TEMPO conditions come and go and, by definition, prevail for less than half of the stated period, while BECMG marks a lasting change. Questions that ask 'what is the forecast visibility at 12:00' usually hinge on whether the group you found is temporary or becoming.

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How to get the most from this tool

Quick tips for a clean briefing and useful compares.

Keep the first view practical

Start with the departure or destination airport you care about most. Add alternates only when they help the decision instead of adding noise.

Use compare for route choices

Multi-airport compare is best when you are checking alternates, looking at a weather corridor, or deciding which field is trending cleaner.

Switch tools only when needed

Stay here for the live report and runway fit. Open the standalone wind calculator when you want a manual runway scenario or a custom heading.

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Frequently asked questions

How the free decoder works and where the data comes from.

Is this METAR and TAF decoder free to use?: Yes. SkyStudy publishes this public decoder as a free tool on skystudyatpl.com so pilots and students can decode live weather faster without opening the full study app first.
Can I compare multiple airports on the same page?: Yes. Start with one airport for a clean single-airport briefing, then add up to three more airports when you want a side-by-side compare for alternates or route options.
Where does the live weather come from?: The page uses the public NOAA aviation weather feed for METAR and TAF data, then layers SkyStudy's runway and wind logic on top for a clearer briefing view.
What does CAVOK mean in a METAR?: Ceiling and visibility OK: visibility 10 km or more, no cloud below 5,000 ft or below the highest minimum sector altitude (whichever is greater), no cumulonimbus or towering cumulus anywhere, and no significant weather. All four conditions must hold at once, which is exactly what exam questions test.
What is the difference between TEMPO and BECMG in a TAF?: TEMPO describes temporary fluctuations: each spell lasts less than an hour and in total covers less than half of the period given. BECMG describes a lasting change that develops at some point inside its window and then persists. Mixing the two is one of the most common Meteorology exam mistakes.
What does PROB30 mean in a TAF?: A 30% probability that the conditions in the group occur during the stated period. TAFs only use PROB30 and PROB40; anything more likely is written as a change group instead of a probability.

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