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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ifr-metar-wind-true

Which is correct for wind direction: a written METAR compared with an ATIS broadcast?

METAR is true north; ATIS is magnetic.

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  1. Both use true north
  2. METAR uses magnetic north; ATIS uses true north
  3. METAR uses true north; ATIS uses magnetic north ✔

Why: Voice broadcasts like ATIS, ASOS and AWOS give wind relative to magnetic north so it lines up with runway headings. Written METARs and TAFs use true north.

Huh, didn't know that: Wind speeds under 10 knots get a leading zero, so 8 knots is coded 08KT.

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Who does everyone listen to, but no one believes? The weather reporter!
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References

Answer: METAR uses true north; ATIS uses magnetic north. Voice broadcasts like ATIS, ASOS and AWOS give wind relative to magnetic north so it lines up with runway headings. Written METARs and TAFs use true north.

  1. FAA Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28B) www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/FAA-H-8083-28B.pdf
    Wind direction is reported relative to magnetic north in ATIS as well as ASOS and AWOS radio (voice) broadcasts.
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. FAA Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28B) www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/FAA-H-8083-28B.pdf
    It is coded in tens of degrees relative to true north using three figures.
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  3. FAA Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28B) www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/FAA-H-8083-28B.pdf
    For example, a wind speed of 8 kt will be coded 08KT.
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  4. FAA Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28B) www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/FAA-H-8083-28B.pdf
    Wind speed is reported in knots.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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