The “METAR” product displays current atmospheric conditions at airports worldwide, classifying them based on visibility and cloud cover—critical for aviation safety. The categories include:
- VFR (Visual Flight Rules): Favorable conditions for visual flights, with excellent visibility and few clouds.
- MVFR (Marginal Visual Flight Rules): Still acceptable conditions for visual flights, but with slightly reduced visibility or cloud coverage.
- IFR (Instrument Flight Rules): Requires instrument-based flights due to restricted visibility or significant cloud cover.
- LOFR (Low Obstruction Flight Rules): Indicates more complex flight conditions with obstacles along the route, such as fog or smoke, limiting visibility.
- LIFR (Low Instrument Flight Rules): Extremely restricted conditions, with very low visibility and dense cloud cover, requiring fully instrument-based operations.
These categories help operators and pilots make informed decisions about flight feasibility, ensuring safety in various atmospheric conditions.