This article describes how to use trusted sources to find wind speeds and other meteorological data at local airports. This can be useful for parachute testing, launch prep, etc.
- Go to aviationweather.gov
- This site is maintained by the FAA and is used by Private Pilots (and other pilots) to check the weather conditions before going flying.
- On the top menu bar, hover the mouse over "OBSERVATIONS," then click "METARS" in the drop-down menu that appears.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page.
- You should see a section on the right hand side of the page called "Request METAR Data."
- In the ID's box, insert the airport identifier code of the airport of interest. All airports in the US are given a four-letter code, and the first letter is always "K." You can find this code by googling, or looking up the airport on airnav.com.
- Ex: Boston Logan = KBOS
- Ex: Bedford / Hanscom = KBED
- For the format, click "Decoded"
- This form is designed for pilots who understand a special type of written lingo. If you click "Raw" then you just get the lingo. Clicking "decoded" translates the raw lingo into normal English. It also provides the raw lingo so you can look at it and learn to read it yourself if you'd like
- This form is designed for pilots who understand a special type of written lingo. If you click "Raw" then you just get the lingo. Clicking "decoded" translates the raw lingo into normal English. It also provides the raw lingo so you can look at it and learn to read it yourself if you'd like
- Select the appropriate time in the drop down menu. Selecting "Most Recent" gives you current weather data. Selecting anything else gives you can weather data.
- If you want to see future weather predictions, you can check "Include TAF"
- TAF = Terminal Area Forecast
- Click "Get METAR Data" and enjoy!