FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Weather Theory and ServicesMedium
A pilot reviewing a METAR notices the remark 'PK WND 28045/1552'. How should this remark be interpreted?
- AThe wind is variable between 280° and 045° during the hour ending at 1552Z
- BA peak wind of 280° at 45 knots occurred at 1552Z
- CThe forecast wind for the next hour will be 280° at 45 knots beginning at 1552Z
- DA wind shift to 280° occurred with gusts reaching 45 knots by 1552Z
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. A peak wind of 280° at 45 knots occurred at 1552Z
The 'PK WND' remark in a METAR reports the peak wind speed and direction recorded since the last METAR, including the time it occurred. Here, 28045 decodes as 280° true at 45 knots, and 1552 is the time (1552Z) the peak wind occurred.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The format is direction/speed, not a variable direction range.
- C. METARs report observed conditions, not forecasts; PK WND is not a forecast element.
- D. This remark reports a single peak wind observation, not a wind shift event (which uses 'WSHFT').
METAR PK WND Remark
The PK WND remark in a METAR reports the peak wind direction and speed observed since the last routine report, followed by the time (UTC) it occurred.
- Format: PK WND dddff/(hh)mm
- Direction and speed given in degrees true and knots
- Time is in UTC, often just minutes if within the same hour
Memory trick: PK WND = Peak wind, then the clock time it hit