METAR

METARs are standardized reports that describe current weather conditions at aviation and weather observation stations worldwide. They are most commonly associated with airports, but may also originate from other permanent observation sites.

Each METAR provides a snapshot of observed weather at a specific time, including wind, visibility, temperature, cloud conditions, precipitation, and barometric pressure. Reports are typically issued at regular intervals, with special reports generated when conditions change significantly.

The METAR endpoints in this API allow you to retrieve both raw METAR reports and decoded representations. Decoded METARs transform the compact METAR text format into structured fields, along with additional derived values and unit conversions to simplify integration and analysis.

Raw, Short, or Decoded Responses

We offer three API response models for METARs - Raw, Short, and Decoded - allowing you to choose between original report text, a streamlined summary, or fully structured data optimized for application use.

1. Raw Response

All METAR endpoints return the standardized raw METAR text by default.
For consistency, you can optionally append/rawto the endpoint path.

Example:

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/ktpa

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/ktpa/raw

Response:

{
  "results": 1,
  "data": [
    "SPECI KTPA 252358Z 15010G17KT 10SM TS SCT037CB BKN180 BKN250 29/24 A3007 RMK AO2 TSB57 OCNL LTGIC SW AND DSNT S TS SW MOV NE CB DSNT S VCSH SW T02940239"
  ]
}

2. Short Response

Adding/shortto the end of any METAR endpoint path to receive a simplified JSON response. This includes the ICAO code, observed time, and the raw METAR text.

Example:

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/ktpa/short

Response:

{
  "results": 1,
  "data": [
    {
      "icao": "KTPA",
      "raw_text": "SPECI KTPA 252358Z 15010G17KT 10SM TS SCT037CB BKN180 BKN250 29/24 A3007 RMK AO2 TSB57 OCNL LTGIC SW AND DSNT S TS SW MOV NE CB DSNT S VCSH SW T02940239",
      "observed": "2026-06-25T23:58:00Z"
    }
  ]
}

3. Decoded Response

Adding/decoded to any METAR endpoint to receive a fully parsed METAR in structured JSON format. The response includes weather parameters in key-value pairs for easier processing.

Example:

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/ktpa/decoded

Response:

{
  "results": 1,
  "data": [
    {
      "icao": "KTPA",
      "raw_text": "SPECI KTPA 252358Z 15010G17KT 10SM TS SCT037CB BKN180 BKN250 29/24 A3007 RMK AO2 TSB57 OCNL LTGIC SW AND DSNT S TS SW MOV NE CB DSNT S VCSH SW T02940239",
      "observed": "2026-06-25T23:58:00Z",
      "report": {
        "type": "SPECI",
        "status": "Special Report"
      },
      "conditions": [
        {
          "code": "TS",
          "text": "Thunderstorm"
        }
      ],
      "clouds": [
        {
          "code": "SCT",
          "feet": 3700,
          "type": {
            "code": "CB",
            "text": "Cumulonimbus"
          },
          "meters": 1128.0,
          "text": "Scattered"
        },
        {
          "code": "BKN",
          "feet": 18000,
          "meters": 5486.0,
          "text": "Broken"
        },
        {
          "code": "BKN",
          "feet": 25000,
          "meters": 7620.0,
          "text": "Broken"
        }
      ],
      "ceiling": {
        "code": "BKN",
        "feet": 18000,
        "meters": 5486.0,
        "text": "Broken"
      },
      "dewpoint": {
        "celsius": 24,
        "fahrenheit": 75
      },
      "flight_category": "VFR",
      "temperature": {
        "celsius": 29,
        "fahrenheit": 84
      },
      "humidity": 74,
      "station": {
        "icao": "KTPA",
        "iata": "TPA",
        "name": "Tampa International Airport",
        "geometry": {
          "type": "Point",
          "coordinates": [
            -82.5332,
            27.9755
          ]
        },
        "location": "Tampa, Florida, United States"
      },
      "pressure": {
        "hg": 30.07,
        "mb": 1018.0
      },
      "visibility": {
        "miles": 10.0,
        "meters": 9999.0,
        "text": "Greater than 10 miles"
      },
      "wind": {
        "degrees": 150,
        "speed": {
          "kts": 10,
          "mph": 12,
          "kph": 19,
          "mps": 5
        },
        "gust": {
          "kts": 17,
          "mph": 20,
          "kph": 31,
          "mps": 9
        },
        "direction": "SSE"
      },
      "remarks": [
        "Automated station type AO2",
        "Thunderstorm began at 57 mins past the hour and is continuing",
        "Occasional Lightning (Intracloud) SW",
        "Thunderstorm",
        "Nearby Showers SW",
        "Exact temperature 29.4°C, dewpoint 23.9°C"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

METAR by ICAO

Returns the latest METAR data for one or more ICAO codes

Endpoint Path

/v2/metar/{icao}

Path Parameters

icao

string

Required

Example: KPIE or KJFK,KDFW,KMIA

A single ICAO code or multiple ICAO codes seperated by commas

Maximum of 25 comma seperated ICAO codes per request

Examples

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/KTPA

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/KJFK/decoded

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/KDFW,KLAX/short

METAR Nearest to ICAO

Returns the latest METAR data nearest to the requested ICAO.

Endpoint Path

/v2/metar/{icao}/nearest

Path Parameters

icao

string

Required

Example: KJFK

A single ICAO code

Querystring Parameters

limit

integer

Optional

Example: limit=3

Number of ICAOs with a METAR to return

Default: 1

minimum value: 1

maximum value: 25

include

boolean

Optional

Example: include=true

Include the origin ICAO's METAR in the results

Default: false

Examples

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/nearest/KTPA

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/nearest/KJFK/decoded

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/nearest/JKFK/short?limit=3

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/nearest/JKFK/short?limit=3&include=true

Notes

Additional postion fields are included in the decoded response data to show the distance and direction from the specified ICAO.

METAR within Radius of ICAO

Returns the latest METAR data within a specified radius of a single ICAO code

Endpoint Path

/v2/metar/{icao}/radius/{radius}

Path Parameters

icao

string

Required

Example: KJFK

A single ICAO code

radius

integer

Required

Example: 25

The surrounding radius in miles

minimum value: 1

maximum value: 250

Querystring Parameters

limit

integer

Optional

Example: limit=3

Number of ICAOs with a METAR to return

Default: 10

minimum value: 1

maximum value: 25

include

boolean

Optional

Example: include=true

Include the origin ICAO's METAR in the results

Default: false

Examples

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/KJFK/radius/50

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/KJFK/radius/50?limit=5

Notes

The results are sorted based on the distance from the requested ICAO code
Additional postion fields are included in the decoded response data to show the distance and direction from the specified ICAO.

METAR Nearest to Latitude/Longitude

Returns the latest METAR data for nearest to the latitude and longitude

Endpoint Path

/v2/metar/lat/{latitude}/lon/{longitude}

Path Parameters

latitude

float

Required

Example: 40.72

The latitude in decimal degrees

minimum value: -90

maximum value: 90

longitude

float

Required

Example: -73.99

The longitude in decimal degrees

minimum value: -180

maximum value: 180

Querystring Parameters

limit

integer

Optional

Example: limit=3

Number of ICAOs with a METAR to return

Default: 10

minimum value: 1

maximum value: 25

Examples

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/lat/40.72/lon/-73.99

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/lat/40.72/lon/-73.99/decoded

Notes

Additional postion fields are included in the decoded response data to show the distance and direction from the specified Latitude/Longitude

METAR within Radius of Latitude/Longitude

Returns the latest METAR data within a specified radius of the latitude and longitude

Endpoint Path

/v2/metar/lat/{latitude}/lon/{longitude}/radius/{radius}

Path Parameters

latitude

float

Required

Example: 40.72

The latitude in decimal degrees

minimum value: -90

maximum value: 90

longitude

float

Required

Example: -73.99

The longitude in decimal degrees

minimum value: -180

maximum value: 180

radius

integer

Required

Example: 25

The surrounding radius in miles

minimum value: 1

maximum value: 250

Querystring Parameters

limit

integer

Optional

Example: limit=3

Number of ICAOs with a METAR to return

Default: 10

minimum value: 1

maximum value: 25

Examples

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/lat/40.72/lon/-73.99/radius/25

Notes

The results are sorted based on the distance from the requested ICAO code
Additional postion fields are included in the decoded response data to show the distance and direction from the specified Latitude/Longitude

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Previous METARs by ICAO

Returns the previous METAR data for a one or more ICAO codes

Endpoint Path

/v2/metar/{icao}/previous/{limit}

Path Parameters

icao

string

Required

Example: KPIE or KJFK,KDFW,KMIA

A single ICAO code or multiple ICAO codes seperated by commas

Maximum of 25 comma seperated ICAO codes per request

limit

integer

Required

Example: 10

The number of previous METARs to return for each ICAO

minimum value: 2

maximum value: 50

Examples

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/KTPA/previous/10

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/KJFK,KLAX/previous/10

METARs by Country

Returns the latest METAR data for stations within a specified country code

Endpoint Path

/v2/metar/country/{code}

Path Parameters

code

string

Required

Example: GB

A single, two character country code

Examples

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/country/GB

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/country/GB/decoded

Notes

Decoded METARs for this endpoint can be quite large
For the United States, it is recommened to instead use the METARs by State endpoint

METARs by State (US)

Returns the latest METAR data for stations within the United States, specified by a state code

Endpoint Path

/v2/metar/state/{code}

Path Parameters

code

string

Required

Example: FL

A single, two character state code

Examples

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/state/FL

https://api.checkwx.com/v2/metar/state/FL/decoded

Notes

Decoded METARs for this endpoint can be quite large

New METAR Fields

These new fields have been added to METAR decoded JSON responses.

icao

string

Examples:

ICAO airport code or station indicator

KJFK
raw_text

string

The unparased METAR text

METAR KJFK 232136Z 32003KT 10SM ...
report

object
- type
  
  string
  
  Report type
  
  METAR , SPECI
- flags
  
  string
  
  Report flags
  
  AUTO , COR
- status
  
  string
  
  Report status text
  
  Automated Report , Corrected Report
observed

string

DateTime the conditions were observed

2025-12-25 16:00:00
station

object
- name
  
  string
  
  Station name
  
  John F Kennedy International Airport
- location
  
  string
  
  City, (State/Province), Country
  
  New York, New York, United States
- geometry
  
  object
  
  GeoJSON object
  point
  
  string literal
  
  Indicates place of interest
  
  Point
  
  coordinates
  
  array
  
  GeoJSON order [longitude, latitude]
  
  [-73.779, 40.639]
clouds

array

Array of cloud layer objects
- code
  
  string
  
  Cloud abbreviation code
  
  OVC
- text
  
  string
  
  Human-readable translation of the code
  
  Overcast
- feet
  
  integer
  
  Cloud height in feet above ground level
  
  3200
- meters
  
  integer
  
  Cloud height in meters above ground level
  
  975
ceiling

object
- feet
  
  integer
  
  Ceiling height in feet above ground level
  
  1400
- meters
  
  integer
  
  Ceiling height in meters above ground level
  
  427
colors

string

Airfield weather state categories

BLU , GRN
conditions

array

Array of weather conditions
- code
  
  string
  
  Weather conditions abbreviation code
  
  FG , +SHRA
- text
  
  string
  
  Human-readable translation of the code
  
  Fog , Heavy rain showers
dewpoint

object
- celsius
  
  integer
  
  Dewpoint measurement in celsius
  
  3
- fahrenheit
  
  integer
  
  Dewpoint measurement in fahrenheit
  
  37
flight_category

string

Current flight conditions category

VFR , LIFR
humidity

integer

Relative humidity percentage

90
pressure

object
- hg
  
  decimal
  
  Pressure in inches of mercury
  
  29.85
- mb
  
  decimal
  
  Pressure in millibars
  
  1010.84
runway_state

object
- runway
  
  string
  
  Runway identifier
  
  18/36
- condition
  
  object
  
  Runway conditions
  code
  
  string
  
  Condition code
  
  SNOCLO
  
  desc
  
  string
  
  Human-readable translation of the code
  
  Closed due to snow
- deposit
  
  object
  
  Runway deposit type
  code
  
  string
  
  Deposit code
  
  1 , 7
  
  desc
  
  string
  
  Human-readable translation of the code
  
  Damp , Ice
- contamination
  
  object
  
  Runway contamination extent
  code
  
  string
  
  Contamination code
  
  1
  
  desc
  
  string
  
  Human-readable translation of the code
  
  11–25%
- depth
  
  object
  
  Runway deposit depth
  code
  
  string
  
  Deposit depth code
  
  1
  
  millimeters
  
  integer
  
  Deposit depth in millimeters
  
  10
- friction
  
  object
  
  Runway braking friction
  code
  
  string
  
  Friction code
  
  1
  
  friction
  
  integer
  
  Runway deposit depth in millimeters
  
  10
  
  braking
  
  integer
  
  Runway deposit depth in millimeters
  
  10
runway_visual

object
- runway
  
  string
  
  Runway identifier
  
  24
- visual_range
  
  object
  
  Runway visual range
  minimum
  
  object
  
  feet
  
  integer
  
  Minimum range in feet
  
  492
  
  meters
  
  integer
  
  Minimum range in meters
  
  150
  
  maximum
  
  object
  
  feet
  
  integer
  
  Maximum range in feet
  
  1000
  
  meters
  
  integer
  
  Maximum range in meters
  
  304
  
  trend
  
  object
  
  code
  
  string
  
  Trend code
  
  D
  
  text
  
  string
  
  Human-readable translation of the code
  
  Downward trend, RVR is decreasing
- text
  
  string
  
  Description of the runway visual
  
  Runway 24 , 150 meters
temperature

object
- celsius
  
  integer
  
  Temperature measurement in celsius
  
  3
- fahrenheit
  
  integer
  
  Temperature measurement in fahrenheit
  
  37
trend

object

Weather trend
- change
  
  object
  
  Weather trend change
  code
  
  string
  
  Trend change code
  
  BECMG
  
  text
  
  string
  
  Human-readable translation of the code
  
  Gradual lasting changes
- clouds
  
  array
  
  See Clouds field
- colors
  
  string
  
  See Colors field
- conditions
  
  array
  
  See Conditions field
- dewpoint
  
  object
  
  See Dewpoint field
- pressure
  
  object
  
  See Pressure field
- temperature
  
  object
  
  See Temperature field
- wind
  
  object
  
  See Wind field
- visibility
  
  object
  
  See Visibility field
visibility

object
- miles
  
  float
  
  Prevailing visibility in statute miles
  
  6
- meters
  
  float
  
  Prevailing visibility in meters
  
  9656
- text
  
  string
  
  Text represention of visibility
  
  Less than 1/4SM
- direction
  
  string
  
  Prevailing visibility direction
  
  120NW
- minimum
  
  object
  
  Minimum visiblity if reported
  miles
  
  float
  
  Minimum visibility in statute miles
  
  1
  
  meters
  
  float
  
  Minimum visibility in meters
  
  1609
wind

object
- degrees
  
  integer
  
  Wind direction in degrees
  
  230
- direction
  
  string
  
  Wind compass direction
  
  SW
- speed
  
  object
  kts
  
  integer
  
  Speed in knots
  
  6
  
  mph
  
  integer
  
  Speed in miles per hour
  
  7
  
  kph
  
  integer
  
  Speed in kilometers per hour
  
  11
  
  mps
  
  integer
  
  Speed in meters per second
  
  3
- gust
  
  object
  kts
  
  integer
  
  Gust in knots
  
  20
  
  mph
  
  integer
  
  Gust in miles per hour
  
  21
  
  kph
  
  integer
  
  Gust in kilometers per hour
  
  37
  
  mps
  
  integer
  
  Gust in meters per second
  
  10
windshear

array

Array of one or more Runway windshear reports

['Runway 09R']
remarks

array

Array of decoded remarks from the RMK section of a METAR

['Sea-level pressure 1007.3 hPa']
position

object

Included for Nearest/Radius endpoints
- points
  
  string
  
  Reference point, either ICAO or coordinates
  
  KJFK -> KLGA
- bearing
  
  integer
  
  True bearing from request point -> to results point
  
  180
- distance
  
  object
  meters
  
  float
  
  Distance in meters
  
  10,000
  
  miles
  
  float
  
  Distance in nautical miles
  
  5.4