Page 32 - AFMAN 15-111, 12 MAR 2019

32 AFMAN15-111 12 MARCH 2019

Figure 6.1. Example AF Form 3803 (JET Form 3813) Synoptic and Summary of the Day
Entries.

6.9. Body of the Observation. The body of the observation contains many of the mandatory and
basic weather elements required to record an observation. This section describes the entries and
format for each column in the body of the observation. This section does not describe methods of
operating in automated mode, when supplementing, or taking manual observations. Detailed
information regarding methods of observing elements and the applicable reportable values can be
found in the following chapters covering each element. Note: Unless otherwise specified, each
element below is required on every observation when occurring.

6.9.1. Column 1 - Type. The type of observation being recorded is annotated using the
following format: “SA” for METARs, “SP” for SPECIs, and “L” for LOCALs. If SPECI
criteria is observed during a METAR, the observation is still a METAR. When using the Jet
Form 3813, if corrections are made to the observation, “-C” is appended to the original
observation type (e.g. SA-C).
6.9.2. Column 2 - Time. The observation file time is entered as a four-digit UTC time. The
standard file time for METARs is between 55 and 59 minutes past the hour and corresponds
to the time the last element is observed. The time used for SPECIs and LOCALs is when the
criteria requiring the observation is first observed.
6.9.3. Column 9A - Wind Direction. The sensed wind direction (corrected to true north)
entered as a 3-digit compass heading, rounded to the nearest 10 degrees, indicating the
direction the wind is coming from. (e.g. “180” indicates southerly wind, “040” indicates a
northeasterly wind).

6.9.4. Column 10 and 11 - Wind Speed and Max Wind. The sensed sustained wind and wind
gust speeds, in whole knots (kts) recorded as a 2-digit entry (e.g. 06, 26, 85). When speeds
exceed 99 kts, 3 digits are used (e.g. 101, 123).

6.9.5. Column 9B - Wind Variability. The sensed wind variability for wind speeds greater than
6 knots, entered using 3-digit compass headings rounded to the nearest 10 degrees, indicating
the 2 limits of variance in the wind direction and separated by a “V.” Directions are reported
in a clockwise order (e.g. 090V160, 340V140).
6.9.6. Column 4A and 4B - Visibility in Meters and Statute Miles. The determined prevailing
surface visibility, reported as four digits when in meters and whole numbers and/or fractions
when reported in miles (e.g. 0800, 3200, 1/2, 2).
6.9.7. Column 4C - Runway Visual Range. Encoded as “R” and the applicable runway
designation in two digits followed by a “/” and the determined RVR reported in whole feet.
For dual/parallel runways, the runway designation may include additional letters indicating
left, right, or center. (e.g. R06/1800, R35L/0600, R24L/4400).