NOAA METAR and TAF

• Overview
• How to use
  • Installing
  • Usage
  • Examples
  • Sample Output
    • METAR
    • TAF
    • Airport Weather
• LICENSE

A simple helper library for getting weather data

This library is designed to pull in weather data from NOAA in the form of METARs and TAFS. Both formats encode weather data using the following codes.

How to use

Installing

Installing is simple via NPM or YARN

$ npm install noaa-metar

$ yarn add noaa-metar

Usage

There are three methods that the library exposes. Each method takes the following two parameters. the methods are:

• getMETAR(ICAOCode, hoursBack): Gets MERTARs for ICAO coded location
• getTAF(ICAOCode, hoursBack): Gets TAFs for ICAO coded location
• getAirportWeather(ICAOCode, hoursBack): Gets both METARs and TAFS for ICAO coded location

And the definition of the parameters

Parameter	Description	Example
ICAO Code	required, either a single string of an ICAO coded location, or an array of ICAO coded locations as strings	'KEWR', ['KEWR', 'KJFK']
hoursBack	optional, the number of hours back to get forecasts for, default = 4	6

getMETAR and getTAF will return an array of forecast objects

getAirportWeather will return an object with 2 keys - TAFS and METARS. Those keys will each contain an array of forecast objects

Examples

const noaaMetar =  require('./noaa-metar')

noaaMetar.getMETAR(['KEWR', 'KMCO'], 4)
  .then(result => console.log(result))

noaaMetar.getTAF('KEWR', 3)
  .then(result => console.log(result))

noaaMetar.getAirportWeather('KEWR')
  .then(result => console.log(result))

Sample Output

Since the forecast data is based off of the METAR and TAF coded standards, your results may differ slightly from these samples.

METAR

[
  { 
    raw_text: 'KMCO 241553Z VRB05KT 10SM SCT250 33/19 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP175 T03280194',
    station_id: 'KMCO',
    observation_time: '2019-06-24T15:53:00Z',
    latitude: 28.42,
    longitude: -81.33,
    temp_c: 32.8,
    dewpoint_c: 19.4,
    wind_dir_degrees: 0,
    wind_speed_kt: 5,
    visibility_statute_mi: 10,
    altim_in_hg: 30.050198,
    sea_level_pressure_mb: 1017.5,
    quality_control_flags: {
      auto_station: true
    },
    sky_condition: {
      sky_cover: 'SCT',
      cloud_base_ft_agl: 25000
    },
    flight_category: 'VFR',
    metar_type: 'METAR',
    elevation_m: 29
  },
  { 
    raw_text: 'KEWR 241551Z 25005KT 10SM FEW065 FEW180 BKN250 29/12 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP116 T02940117',
    station_id: 'KEWR',
    observation_time: '2019-06-24T15:51:00Z',
    latitude: 40.68,
    longitude: -74.17,
    temp_c: 29.4,
    dewpoint_c: 11.7,
    wind_dir_degrees: 250,
    wind_speed_kt: 5,
    visibility_statute_mi: 10,
    altim_in_hg: 29.878937,
    sea_level_pressure_mb: 1011.6,
    quality_control_flags: {
      auto_station: true
    },
    sky_condition: [
      {
        sky_cover: 'BKN',
        cloud_base_ft_agl: 1000
      },
      {
        sky_cover: 'OVC',
        cloud_base_ft_agl: 4000
      }
    ],
    flight_category: 'VFR',
    metar_type: 'METAR',
    elevation_m: 7
  }
]

TAF

[
  {
    raw_text: 'KEWR 241333Z 2414/2518 24006KT P6SM FEW050 SCT250 FM241900 22009KT P6SM SCT050 BKN200 FM242100 17009KT P6SM SCT050 BKN200 FM242300 17008KT P6SM SCT050 BKN100 FM250400 16005KT P6SM SCT020 BKN100 FM250900 14005KT 4SM -SHRA BR SCT009 BKN015 TEMPO 2509/2513 2SM SHRA BR BKN009 OVC015 FM251500 17008KT 6SM -SHRA BKN010 OVC040',
    station_id: 'KEWR',
    issue_time: '2019-06-24T13:33:00Z',
    bulletin_time: '2019-06-24T13:33:00Z',
    valid_time_from: '2019-06-24T14:00:00Z',
    valid_time_to: '2019-06-25T18:00:00Z',
    remarks: 'AMD',
    latitude: 40.68,
    longitude: -74.17,
    elevation_m: 7,
    forecast: [
      {
        fcst_time_from: '2019-06-24T14:00:00Z',
        fcst_time_to: '2019-06-24T19:00:00Z',
        wind_dir_degrees: 240,
        wind_speed_kt: 6,
        visibility_statute_mi: 6.21,
        sky_condition: [
          {
            sky_cover: 'FEW',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 5000
          },
          {
            sky_cover: 'SCT',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 25000
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        fcst_time_from: '2019-06-24T19:00:00Z',
        fcst_time_to: '2019-06-24T21:00:00Z',
        change_indicator: 'FM',
        wind_dir_degrees: 220,
        wind_speed_kt: 9,
        visibility_statute_mi: 6.21,
        sky_condition: [
          {
            sky_cover: 'SCT',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 5000
          },
          {
            sky_cover: 'BKN',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 20000
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        fcst_time_from: '2019-06-24T21:00:00Z',
        fcst_time_to: '2019-06-24T23:00:00Z',
        change_indicator: 'FM',
        wind_dir_degrees: 170,
        wind_speed_kt: 9,
        visibility_statute_mi: 6.21,
        sky_condition: [
          {
            sky_cover: 'SCT',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 5000
          },
          {
            sky_cover: 'BKN',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 20000
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        fcst_time_from: '2019-06-24T23:00:00Z',
        fcst_time_to: '2019-06-25T04:00:00Z',
        change_indicator: 'FM',
        wind_dir_degrees: 170,
        wind_speed_kt: 8,
        visibility_statute_mi: 6.21,
        sky_condition: [
          {
            sky_cover: 'SCT',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 5000
          },
          {
            sky_cover: 'BKN',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 10000
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        fcst_time_from: '2019-06-25T04:00:00Z',
        fcst_time_to: '2019-06-25T09:00:00Z',
        change_indicator: 'FM',
        wind_dir_degrees: 160,
        wind_speed_kt: 5,
        visibility_statute_mi: 6.21,
        sky_condition: [
          {
            sky_cover: 'SCT',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 2000
          },
          {
            sky_cover: 'BKN',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 10000
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        fcst_time_from: '2019-06-25T09:00:00Z',
        fcst_time_to: '2019-06-25T13:00:00Z',
        change_indicator: 'TEMPO',
        visibility_statute_mi: 2,
        wx_string: SHRA BR,
        sky_condition: [
          {
            sky_cover: 'BKN',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 900
          },
          {
            sky_cover: 'OVC',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 1500
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        fcst_time_from: '2019-06-25T09:00:00Z',
        fcst_time_to: '2019-06-25T15:00:00Z',
        change_indicator: 'FM',
        wind_dir_degrees: 140,
        wind_speed_kt: 5,
        visibility_statute_mi: 4,
        wx_string: '-SHRA BR',
        sky_condition: [
          {
            sky_cover: 'SCT',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 900
          },
          {
            sky_cover: 'BKN',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 1500
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        fcst_time_from: '2019-06-25T15:00:00Z',
        fcst_time_to: '2019-06-25T18:00:00Z',
        change_indicator: 'FM',
        wind_dir_degrees: 170,
        wind_speed_kt: 8,
        visibility_statute_mi: 6,
        wx_string: '-SHRA',
        sky_condition: [
          {
            sky_cover: 'BKN',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 1000
          },
          {
            sky_cover: 'OVC',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 4000
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
]

Airport Weather

{ 
  TAFS: 
    [
      {
        raw_text: 'KEWR 241333Z 2414/2518 24006KT P6SM FEW050 SCT250 FM241900 22009KT P6SM SCT050 BKN200 FM242100 17009KT P6SM SCT050 BKN200 FM242300 17008KT P6SM SCT050 BKN100 FM250400 16005KT P6SM SCT020 BKN100 FM250900 14005KT 4SM -SHRA BR SCT009 BKN015 TEMPO 2509/2513 2SM SHRA BR BKN009 OVC015 FM251500 17008KT 6SM -SHRA BKN010 OVC040',
        station_id: 'KEWR',
        issue_time: '2019-06-24T13:33:00Z',
        bulletin_time: '2019-06-24T13:33:00Z',
        valid_time_from: '2019-06-24T14:00:00Z',
        valid_time_to: '2019-06-25T18:00:00Z',
        remarks: 'AMD',
        latitude: 40.68,
        longitude: -74.17,
        elevation_m: 7,
        forecast: [
          {
            fcst_time_from: '2019-06-24T14:00:00Z',
            fcst_time_to: '2019-06-24T19:00:00Z',
            wind_dir_degrees: 240,
            wind_speed_kt: 6,
            visibility_statute_mi: 6.21,
            sky_condition: [
              {
                sky_cover: 'FEW',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 5000
              },
              {
                sky_cover: 'SCT',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 25000
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            fcst_time_from: '2019-06-24T19:00:00Z',
            fcst_time_to: '2019-06-24T21:00:00Z',
            change_indicator: 'FM',
            wind_dir_degrees: 220,
            wind_speed_kt: 9,
            visibility_statute_mi: 6.21,
            sky_condition: [
              {
                sky_cover: 'SCT',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 5000
              },
              {
                sky_cover: 'BKN',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 20000
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            fcst_time_from: '2019-06-24T21:00:00Z',
            fcst_time_to: '2019-06-24T23:00:00Z',
            change_indicator: 'FM',
            wind_dir_degrees: 170,
            wind_speed_kt: 9,
            visibility_statute_mi: 6.21,
            sky_condition: [
              {
                sky_cover: 'SCT',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 5000
              },
              {
                sky_cover: 'BKN',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 20000
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            fcst_time_from: '2019-06-24T23:00:00Z',
            fcst_time_to: '2019-06-25T04:00:00Z',
            change_indicator: 'FM',
            wind_dir_degrees: 170,
            wind_speed_kt: 8,
            visibility_statute_mi: 6.21,
            sky_condition: [
              {
                sky_cover: 'SCT',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 5000
              },
              {
                sky_cover: 'BKN',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 10000
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            fcst_time_from: '2019-06-25T04:00:00Z',
            fcst_time_to: '2019-06-25T09:00:00Z',
            change_indicator: 'FM',
            wind_dir_degrees: 160,
            wind_speed_kt: 5,
            visibility_statute_mi: 6.21,
            sky_condition: [
              {
                sky_cover: 'SCT',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 2000
              },
              {
                sky_cover: 'BKN',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 10000
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            fcst_time_from: '2019-06-25T09:00:00Z',
            fcst_time_to: '2019-06-25T13:00:00Z',
            change_indicator: 'TEMPO',
            visibility_statute_mi: 2,
            wx_string: SHRA BR,
            sky_condition: [
              {
                sky_cover: 'BKN',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 900
              },
              {
                sky_cover: 'OVC',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 1500
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            fcst_time_from: '2019-06-25T09:00:00Z',
            fcst_time_to: '2019-06-25T15:00:00Z',
            change_indicator: 'FM',
            wind_dir_degrees: 140,
            wind_speed_kt: 5,
            visibility_statute_mi: 4,
            wx_string: '-SHRA BR',
            sky_condition: [
              {
                sky_cover: 'SCT',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 900
              },
              {
                sky_cover: 'BKN',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 1500
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            fcst_time_from: '2019-06-25T15:00:00Z',
            fcst_time_to: '2019-06-25T18:00:00Z',
            change_indicator: 'FM',
            wind_dir_degrees: 170,
            wind_speed_kt: 8,
            visibility_statute_mi: 6,
            wx_string: '-SHRA',
            sky_condition: [
              {
                sky_cover: 'BKN',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 1000
              },
              {
                sky_cover: 'OVC',
                cloud_base_ft_agl: 4000
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
  METARS: 
    [ 
      { raw_text: 'KMCO 241553Z VRB05KT 10SM SCT250 33/19 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP175 T03280194',
        station_id: 'KMCO',
        observation_time: '2019-06-24T15:53:00Z',
        latitude: 28.42,
        longitude: -81.33,
        temp_c: 32.8,
        dewpoint_c: 19.4,
        wind_dir_degrees: 0,
        wind_speed_kt: 5,
        visibility_statute_mi: 10,
        altim_in_hg: 30.050198,
        sea_level_pressure_mb: 1017.5,
        quality_control_flags: { 
          auto_station: true 
        },
        sky_condition: { 
          sky_cover: 'SCT', 
          cloud_base_ft_agl: 25000 
        },
        flight_category: 'VFR',
        metar_type: 'METAR',
        elevation_m: 29 
      },
      { 
        raw_text: 'KEWR 241551Z 25005KT 10SM FEW065 FEW180 BKN250 29/12 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP116 T02940117',
        station_id: 'KEWR',
        observation_time: '2019-06-24T15:51:00Z',
        latitude: 40.68,
        longitude: -74.17,
        temp_c: 29.4,
        dewpoint_c: 11.7,
        wind_dir_degrees: 250,
        wind_speed_kt: 5,
        visibility_statute_mi: 10,
        altim_in_hg: 29.878937,
        sea_level_pressure_mb: 1011.6,
        quality_control_flags: { 
          auto_station: true
        },
        sky_condition: [ 
          {
            sky_cover: 'FEW',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 6000
          },
          {
            sky_cover: 'SCT',
            cloud_base_ft_agl: 25000
          }
        ],
        flight_category: 'VFR',
        metar_type: 'METAR',
        elevation_m: 7 
      } 
    ]
}

License

Code released under the MIT license