Weather
METAR
FlightGear is capable of receiving METAR weather data from real weather sources. It uses this information to determine elements of the flight environment, such as winds.
Reading a METAR Report
Some tips on "speed reading" a METAR.
METAR KMKC 141754Z 31015G25KT 3SM -SHRA BR SCT020 BKN050 OVC100 22/17 A2991 RMK SLP128
The first set of numbers, followed by "Z" is the time of the report. After this is where the real meat of the METAR begins.
The first thing to look for is the wind report:
It is always a three digit Wind Heading in degrees followed by Wind Speed.
31015KT
reads:
310* @ 15kts
or 310 degrees at 15 knots.
Another important feature to look for is Wind Gust, if there are wind gusts the speed will appear after "G"
31015G25KT
310* @ 15kts gusting to 25 kts
Visibility comes second after the Wind.
3SM
3 Statue Miles
Visibllity is given in statue miles
Next, read the cloud cover or Sky Conditions report:
SCT020 BKN050 OVC100
Scattered, Broken, Overcast.
The last but fairly important is the "Altimeter" or barometric pressure you should set your altimeter to.
A2991
29.91 inches of mercury
(If I am wrong about anything, please correct).
TAF
An Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is a concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions at an airport during a specified period (usually 24 hours).