- Light Moderate (see note 2) + Heavy VC In the Vicinity (see note 3)
MI Shallow PR Partial BC Patches DR Low Drifting BL Blowing SH Shower(s) TS Thunderstorm FZ Freezing
DZ Drizzle RA Rain SN Snow SG Snow Grains IC Ice Crystals PL Ice Pellets GR Hail GS Small Hail and/or Snow Pellets UP Unknown Precipitation
BR Mist FG Fog FU Smoke VA Volcanic Ash DU Widespread Dust SA Sand HZ Haze PY Spray
PO Well-Developed Dust/Sand Whirls SQ Squalls FC Funnel Cloud / Tornado / Waterspout (see note 3) SS Sandstorm SS Duststorm
1. The weather groups shall be constructed by columns in the table above in sequence left to right i.e. intensity, followed by description, followed by weather phenomena e.g. heavy rain shower(s) is coded as +SHRA 2. To denote moderate intensity no entry or symbol is used. 3. Tornados and waterspouts shall be coded as +FC.
Characteristics of Barometer Tendency Example: 5appp a is the pressure change over the past 3 hours or Code Figure ppp is the amount of barometric change in tenths of hectopascals
Primary Requirement
Description
Code Figure
Atmospheric pressure now higher than 3 hours ago.
Increasing, then decreasing
0
Increasing, then then steady, or increasing then increasing more slowly.
1
Increasing steadily or unsteadily.
2
Decreasing or steady, then increasing; or increasing, then increasing more rapidly.
3
Atmospheric pressure now same as 3 hours ago.
Increasing, then decreasing
0
Steady
4
Decreasing, then increasing.
5
Atmospheric pressure now lower than 3 hours ago.
Decreasing, then increasing.
5
Decreasing then steady; or decreasing then decreasing more slowly.
6
Decreasing steadily or unsteadily.
7
Steady or increasing, then decreasing; or decreasing then decreasing more rapidly.