Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

What does "++" represent in a METAR report?

1. Moderate precipitation

2. Heavy precipitation

3. Very heavy precipitation

4. No precipitation

The correct answer is: Very heavy precipitation

In a METAR report, the notation "++" specifically indicates "very heavy precipitation." This coding is part of a standardized format used by meteorologists to convey weather conditions succinctly. The symbol "++" is used to emphasize that the intensity of the precipitation is significant, typically resulting in substantial short-term impacts on visibility and potentially affecting aviation operations. This is important for pilots and air traffic controllers to consider when assessing weather conditions for flight safety. Understanding the METAR coding system is crucial for interpreting weather data accurately. The other options represent different levels of precipitation: moderate would be indicated by a single "++", while heavy precipitation is indicated by a single "+" without the additional symbols. The absence of any precipitation indicators (like "N/A") would typically denote no significant precipitation occurring at the time of the report. Thus, "++" is definitively linked to very heavy precipitation specifically.