In METAR, which element reports precipitation and other weather phenomena?

• A. Present weather.
• B. Wind.
• C. Altimeter.
• D. Sky condition.

Answer: (A)

The present weather group in a METAR is the element that communicates precipitation and other weather phenomena observed at the station. It carries codes for rain, snow, drizzle, fog, thunderstorms, and similar conditions, often with modifiers for intensity or proximity, giving a real-time snapshot of what you’d observe outside. The wind group covers how fast and from which direction the air is moving, the altimeter gives the atmospheric pressure setting, and the sky condition describes cloud cover and height—none of these directly conveys the actual precipitation or other phenomena. So, for reporting precipitation and related weather, the present weather information is the correct element.