Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

What does "E" mean when seen in a METAR?

1. Ended

2. Drizzle

3. Fog

4. Dust Storm

The correct answer is: Ended

In the context of METAR reports, the letter "E" is not used to indicate "Ended." Instead, it is used to denote the presence of "drizzle." This terminology is important in meteorological reports as various codes represent specific weather phenomena that are critical for flight operations and safety. Drizzle is a form of precipitation made up of small, fine droplets of water that can significantly impact visibility and aircraft performance. Understanding METAR codes is essential for pilots, as they provide vital information about current weather conditions at airports. It is also relevant to note that the other possible interpretations do not align with established METAR reporting standards. For instance, fog would typically be recognized as "FG," and both dust storms and other conditions have their distinct codes that would not correspond to a singular letter like "E."