FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Meteorology and Weather ServicesEasy
A pilot copies the following METAR: 'METAR KDEN 151853Z 28022G35KT 10SM FEW050 22/08 A2995.' What does the notation G35KT indicate?
- AThe wind is sustained at 35 knots
- BThe wind is gusting to a peak of 35 knots
- CWind shear of 35 knots is reported at the surface
- DThe wind direction is variable up to 35 degrees
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The wind is gusting to a peak of 35 knots
In METAR wind groups, the format is direction/speed followed by 'G' and the gust value when gusts are 10 knots or more above the sustained speed. Here the wind is from 280° at 22 knots, gusting to 35 knots.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 22KT is the sustained speed, not the G value.
- C. Wind shear is reported in a separate remark, not in the wind group.
- D. Direction variability is reported differently, e.g., '280V320'.
METAR Wind Group
The wind group in a METAR reports direction (true north), sustained speed, and gusts when applicable, in the format dddffGfgKT.
- Direction is in degrees true, speed in knots
- 'G' precedes gust value when gusts exceed sustained speed by 10+ kt
- 'VRB' is used when direction is variable and speed is 6 kt or less
Memory trick: Direction-Speed-Gust: 'DSG' tells you the wind story.