METAR RVR group
RVR group: METAR field separate from prevailing visibility. Coded R06L/1000V2400FT/U (MET 8.2).
Appears only if (MET 8.2):
- Prevailing visibility 1 SM or less, and/or
- RVR 6,000 ft or less
- Otherwise omitted.
What is reported:
- 10-min average
- Touchdown zone of up to four available landing runways
- Based on maximum runway light setting at time of report
- From forward-scatter sensors
Reading left to right:
| Element | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Group indicator | R |
Followed by runway designator (e.g. 06) |
| Parallel runway | L / C / R |
Appended: Left / Centre / Right |
| Value | 3 or 4 digits | RVR (1000 = 1,000 ft) |
| Unit | FT |
Feet |
| Below range | M before value |
True RVR at or below lowest measurable value |
| Above range | P before value |
True RVR at or above highest, beyond instrument range |
| Variation | Two values joined by V |
Minimum and maximum, instead of one value |
Variation V shown when: 1-min mean RVR varies from 10-min mean by at least 20% and by 150 ft.
Trend letter (optional, follows value):
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
/U |
Up: RVR changes 300 ft or more between the two 5-min part-periods of the observation |
/D |
Down: 300 ft or more change |
/N |
No distinct change |
| Blank | Trend can't be determined: no letter, not /N |
Worked example: R06L/1000V2400FT/U
- Runway 06 Left
- Minimum RVR 1,000 ft
- Maximum RVR 2,400 ft
- Trend upward
Trap: 300 ft (trend) and 150 ft/20% (variation) are different rules; blank trend ("can't determine") is not /N ("no distinct change").
References
- TC AIM MET 8.2
- TC AIM MET 1.1.5 (Weather Information from Air Traffic Service)