including Alaska and Hawaii, the first two letters of  the four-letter ICAO identifier indicate the region,  country, or state. Alaska identifiers always begin with  the letters “PA” and Hawaii identifiers always begin  with the letters “PH.” A list of station identifiers can  be found at an FSS or NWS office or online at www. eurocontrol.int/icaoref/. 3. Date and time of report—are depicted in a six-digit  group (e.g., 161753Z). The first two digits of the six- digit group are the date. The last four digits are the time  of the METAR, which is always given in Coordinated  Universal Time (UTC). A “Z” is appended to the end  of the time to denote the time is given in Zulu time  (UTC) as opposed to local time. 4. Modifier—denotes that the METAR came from an  automated source or that the report was corrected.  If the notation “AUTO” is listed in the METAR, the  report came from an automated source. It also lists  “AO1” or “AO2” in the remarks section to indicate  the type of precipitation sensors employed at the  automated station. When the modifier “COR” is used,  it identifies a corrected report sent out to replace an  earlier report that contained an error (for example:  METAR KGGG 161753Z COR). 5. Wind—reported with five digits (e.g., 14021) unless  the speed is greater than 99 knots, which requires  six digits. The first three digits indicate the direction  the wind is blowing in tens of degrees. If the wind is  variable, it is reported as “VRB.” The last two digits  indicate the speed of the wind in knots (KT) unless  the wind is greater than 99 knots, which requires three  digits. If the winds are gusting, the letter “G” follows  the wind speed. After the letter “G,” the peak gust  recorded is provided (e.g., 21G26). If the wind varies  more than 60° and the wind speed is greater than 6  knots, a separate group of numbers, separated by a “V,”  will indicate the extremes of the wind directions. 6. Visibility—the prevailing visibility (e.g.,  3/4 SM)  is reported in statute miles as denoted by the letters  “SM.” It is reported in both miles and fractions of  miles. At times, runway visual range (RVR) is reported  following the prevailing visibility. RVR is the distance  a pilot can see down the runway in a moving aircraft.  When RVR is reported, it is shown with an R, then the  runway number followed by a slant, then the visual  range in feet. For example, when the RVR is reported  as R17L/1400FT, it translates to a visual range of 1,400  feet on runway 17 left. 1. Type of report—the first of two types of METAR  reports is the routine METAR report that is transmitted  every hour. The second is the aviation selected special  weather report (SPECI). This is a special report that  can be given at any time to update the METAR for  rapidly changing weather conditions, aircraft mishaps,  or other critical information. 2.  Station identifier—each station is identified by a four- letter code as established by the International Civil  Aviation Organization (ICAO). In the 48 contiguous  states, a unique three-letter identifier is preceded by  the letter “K.” For example, Gregg County Airport in  Longview, Texas, is identified by the letters “KGGG,”  K being the country designation and GGG being  the airport identifier. In other regions of the world,  4-37 A typical METAR report contains the following information  in sequential order: METAR KGGG 161753Z AUTO 14021G26 3/4SM +TSRA  BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR modifications to the code. This discussion of METAR will  cover elements used in the United States. Example:  $_{Figure 4-37.}$  Sample FD report.