Notices to Airmen Contractions

NOTAM CONTRACTIONS
This list contains most of the commonly used contractions currently in use in Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS) and the
standard aviation weather products, such as METAR/TAF, area forecasts, SIGMETs, AIRMETs, etc.
Contraction Decode Contraction Decode
A BRG Bearing
ABN Airport Beacon BYD Beyond
ABV Above
ACC Area Control Center (ARTCC) C
ACCUM Accumulate CAAS Class A Airspace
ACFT Aircraft CAT Category
ACR Air Carrier CBAS Class B Airspace
ACT Active CBSA Class B Surface Area
ADJ Adjacent CCAS Class C Airspace
ADZD Advised CCLKWS Counterclockwise
AFD Airport Facility Directory CCSA Class C Surface Area
AGL Above ground level CD Clearance Delivery
ALS Approach Light System CDAS Class D Airspace
ALT Altitude CDSA Class D Surface Area
ALTM Altimeter CEAS Class E Airspace
ALTN Alternate CESA Class E Surface Area
ALTNLY Alternately CFR Code of Federal Regulations
ALSTG Altimeter Setting CGAS Class G Airspace
AMDT Amendment CHG Change
AMGR Airport Manager CIG Ceiling
AMOS Automatic Meteorological Observing System CK Check
AP Airport CL Centerline
APCH Approach CLKWS Clockwise
AP LGT Airport Lights CLR Clearance, clear(s), cleared to
APP Approach control CLSD Closed
ARFF Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting CMB Climb
ARR Arrive, arrival CMSND Commissioned
ASOS Automated Surface Observing System CNL Cancel
ASPH Asphalt COM Communications
ATC Air Traffic Control CONC Concrete
ATCSCC Air Traffic Control System Command Center CPD Coupled
ATIS Automatic Terminal Information Service CRS Course
AUTH Authority CTC Contact
AUTOB Automatic Weather Reporting System CTL Control
AVBL Available
AWOS Automatic Weather Observing/Reporting System D
AWY Airway DALGT Daylight
AZM Azimuth DCMSND Decommissioned
DCT Direct
B DEGS Degrees
BA FAIR Braking action fair DEP Depart/Departure
BA NIL Braking action nil DEPPROC Departure procedures
BA POOR Braking action poor DH Decision Height
BC Back Course DISABLD Disabled
BCN Beacon DIST Distance
BERM Snowbank(s) Containing Earth/Gravel DLA Delay or delayed
BLW Below DLT Delete
BND Bound DLY Daily

1
Contractions Notices to Airmen

Contraction Decode Contraction Decode

DME Distance Measuring Equipment HR Hour
DMSTN Demonstration
DP Dew Point Temperature I
DRFT Snowbank(s) Caused By Wind Action IAF Initial approach fix
DSPLCD Displaced IAP Instrument Approach Procedure
INBD Inbound
E ID Identification
E East IDENT Identify/Identifier/Identification
EB Eastbound IF Intermediate fix
EFAS En Route Flight Advisory Service ILS Instrument Landing System
ELEV Elevation IM Inner Marker
ENG Engine IMC Instrument Meteorological Conditions
ENRT En route IN Inch/Inches
ENTR Entire INDEFLY Indefinitely
EXC Except INFO Information
INOP Inoperative
F INSTR Instrument
FAC Facility or facilities INT Intersection
FAF Final Approach fix INTL International
FAN MKR Fan Marker INTST Intensity
FDC Flight Data Center IR Ice On Runway(s)
FI/T Flight inspection temporary
FI/P Flight inspection permanent K
FM From KT Knots
FREQ Frequency
FNA Final approach L
FPM Feet per minute L Left
FREQ Frequency LAA Local Airport Advisory
FRH Fly Runway Heading LAT Latitude
FRI Friday LAWRS Limited Aviation Weather Reporting Station
FRZN Frozen LB Pound/Pounds
FSS Automated/Flight Service Station LC Local Control
FT Foot, feet LOC Local/Locally/Location
LCTD Located
G LDA Localizer Type Directional Aid
GC Ground Control LGT Light or lighting
GCA Ground Control Approach LGTD Lighted
GOVT Government LIRL Low Intensity Runway Lights
GP Glide Path LLWAS Low Level Wind Shear Alert System
GPS Global Positioning System LM Compass Locator at ILS Middle Marker
GRVL Gravel LDG Landing
LLZ Localizer
H LO Compass Locator at ILS Outer Marker
HAA Height Above Airport LONG Longitude
HAT Height Above Touchdown LRN Loran
HDG Heading LSR Loose Snow on Runway(s)
HEL Helicopter LT Left Turn
HELI Heliport
HIRL High Intensity Runway Lights M
HIWAS Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service MAG Magnetic
HLDG Holding MAINT Maintain, maintenance
HOL Holiday MALS Medium Intensity Approach Light System
HP Holding Pattern

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Notices to Airmen Contractions

Contraction Decode Contraction Decode

Medium Intensity Approach Light System with P
MALSF
Sequenced Flashers PAEW Personnel and Equipment Working
Medium Intensity Approach Light System with PAPI Precision Approach Path Indicator
MALSR
Runway Alignment Indicator Lights
PAR Precision Approach Radar
MAPT Missed Approach Point PARL Parallel
MCA Minimum Crossing Altitude PAT Pattern
MDA Minimum Descent Altitude PAX Passenger
MEA Minimum Enroute Altitude PCL Pilot Controlled Lighting
MED Medium PERM Permanent/Permanently
MIN Minute PJE Parachute jumping exercise
MIRL Medium Intensity Runway Lights PLA Practice Low Approach
MLS Microwave Landing System PLW Plow/Plowed
MM Middle Marker PN Prior Notice Required
MNM Minimum PPR Prior Permission Required
MNT Monitor/Monitoring/Monitored PREV Previous
MOC Minimum Obstruction Clearance PRN Psuedo random noise
MON Monday PROC Procedure
MRA Minimum reception altitude PROP Propeller
MSA Minimum Safe Altitude/Minimum Sector Altitude PSR Packed Snow on Runway(s)
MSAW Minimum Safe Altitude Warning PTCHY Patchy
MSG Message PTN Procedure Turn
MSL Mean Sea Level PVT Private
MU MU meters
MUD Mud R
MUNI Municipal RAIL Runway Alignment Indicator Lights
Remote Automatic Meteorological Observing
N
RAMOS
System
N North RCAG Remote Communication Air/Ground Facility
NA Not Authorized RCL Runway Centerline
NAV Navigation RCLL Runway Centerline Light System
NB Northbound RCO Remote Communication Outlet
NDB Nondirectional Radio Beacon REC Receive/Receiver
NE Northeast RELCTD Relocated
NGT Night REIL Runway End Identifier Lights
NM Nautical Mile(s) REP Report
NMR Nautical Mile Radius RLLS Runway Leadin Lights System
NONSTD Nonstandard RMNDR Remainder
NOPT No Procedure Turn Required RNAV Area Navigation
NR Number RPLC Replace
NTAP Notice To Airmen Publication RQRD Required
NW Northwest RRL Runway Remaining Lights
RSR En Route Surveillance Radar
O RSVN Reservation
OBSC Obscured RT Right Turn
OBST Obstruction RTE Route
OM Outer Marker RTR Remote Transmitter/Receiver
OPR Operate RTS Return to Service
OPS Operation RUF Rough
ORIG Original RVR Runway Visual Range
OTS Out of Service RVRM Runway Visual Range Midpoint
OVR Over RVRR Runway Visual Range Rollout
RVRT Runway Visual Range Touchdown

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Contractions Notices to Airmen

Contraction Decode Contraction Decode

RWY Runway TIL Until
S TKOF Takeoff
S South TM Traffic Management
SA Sand, sanded TMPA Traffic Management Program Alert
SAT Saturday TRML Terminal
SAWR Supplementary Aviation Weather Reporting Station TRNG Training
SB Southbound TRSN Transition
SDF Simplified Directional Facility TSNT Transient
SE Southeast TUE Tuesday
SFL Sequence Flashing Lights TWR Tower
SID Standard Instrument Departure TWY Taxiway
SIMUL Simultaneous
SIR Packed or Compacted Snow and Ice on Runway(s) U
SKED Scheduled UFN Until further notice
SLR Slush on Runway(s) UNAVBL Unavailable
SN Snow UNLGTD Unlighted
SNBNK Snowbank(s) Caused by Plowing UNMKD Unmarked
SNGL Single UNMNT Unmonitored
SPD Speed UNREL Unreliable
Simplified Short Approach Lighting System with UNUSBL Unusable
SSALF
Sequenced Flashers
Simplified Short Approach Lighting System with V
SSALR
Runway Alignment Indicator Lights
VASI Visual Approach Slope Indicator
SSALS Simplified Short Approach Lighting System VDP Visual Descent Point
SSR Secondary Surveillance Radar VGSI Visual Glide Slope Indicator
STA Straightin Approach VIA By Way Of
STAR Standard Terminal Arrival VICE Instead/Versus
SUN Sunday VIS Visibility
SVC Service VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions
SW Southwest VOL Volume
SWEPT Swept or Broom/Broomed VOR VHF OmniDirectional Radio Range
VORTAC VOR and TACAN (colocated)
T
W
T Temperature W West
TAA Terminal Arrival Area WB Westbound
TACAN Tactical Air Navigational Aid WED Wednesday
TAR Terminal area surveillance radar WEF With effect from or effective from
TDZ Touchdown Zone WI Within
TDZ LG Touchdown zone lights WIE With immediate effect or effective immediately
TEMPO Temporary WKDAYS Monday through Friday
TFC Traffic WKEND Saturday and Sunday
TFR Temporary Flight Restriction WND Wind
TGL Touch and Go Landings WPT Waypoint
THN Thin WSR Wet Snow on Runway(s)
THR Threshold WTR Water on Runway(s)
THRU Through WX Weather
THU Thursday

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Notices to Airmen Contractions

WEATHER CONTRACTIONS

Contraction Decode Contraction Decode

A BECMG Becoming (expected between 2 digit beginning
A Absolute (temperature) hour and 2 digit ending hour) (TAF)
A Alaskan Standard Time (time groups only) BFDK Before Dark
A Arctic (air mass) BINOVC Breaks in Overcast
A01 Automated Observation without Precipitation BKN Broken
Discriminator (rain/snow) (METAR) BL Between Layers
A02 Automated Observation with Precipitation BL Blowing (METAR)
Discriminator (rain/snow) (METAR) BLD Build
AAWF Auxiliary Aviation Weather Facility BLDUP Buildup
AC Altocumulus BLKHLS Black Hills
ACC Altocumulus Castellanus BLKT Blanket
ACSL Standing Lenticular Altocumulus BLZD Blizzard
ACYC Anticyclonic BMS Basic Meteorological Services
ADRNDCK Adirondack BNDRY Boundary
ADV Advise BOVC Base of Overcast
ADVCTN Advection BR Mist (METAR)
ADVY Advisory BRF Brief
AFC Area Forecast Center BRKHIC Breaks in Higher Overcast
AFDK After Dark BRKSHR Berkshire
ALF Aloft BRM Barometer
ALGHNY Allegheny BTWN Between
ALQDS All Quadrants
ALSEC All Sectors C
ALTA Alberta C Central Standard Time (time groups only)
ALUTN Aleutian C Continental (air mass)
ALWF Actual Wind Factor CAN Canada
AM Ante Meridiem CARIB Caribbean
AMD Amended Forecast (TAF) CASCDS Cascades
AMPLTD Amplitude CAVOK Cloud and Visibility OK (METAR)
AMS Air Mass CAVU Clear or Scattered Clouds and Visibility Greater
AMS American Meteorological Society Than Ten Miles
ANLYS Analysis CAWS Common Aviation Weather Subsystem
APLCN Appalachian CB Cumulonimbus
AS Altostratus CBMAM Cumulonimbus Mamma
ASOS Automated Surface Observing System CC Cirrocumulus
ATLC Atlantic CCLKWS Counterclockwise
AURBO Aurora Borealis CCSL Standing Lenticular Cirrocumulus
AWP Aviation Weather Processors CDFNT Cold Front
CFP Cold Front Passage
B CHARC Characteristic
B Beginning of Precipitation (time in minutes) CHSPK Chesapeake
(weather reports only) CI Cirrus
B Bering Standard Time (time groups only) CIG Ceiling
BACLIN Baroclinic or Baroclinic Prognosis CLD Cloud
BATROP Barotropic or Barotropic Prognosis CLR Clear at or below 12,000 feet (AWOS/ASOS
BC Patches (METAR) report) (METAR)
BC British Columbia CLRS Clear and Smooth
BCFG Patchy Fog (METAR) CNCL Cancel
BCH Beach CNDN Canadian
BCKG Backing CNVTV Convective
BDA Bermuda CONFDC Confidence

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Contractions Notices to Airmen

Contraction Decode Contraction Decode

CONTDVD Continental Divide EXTRM Extreme
CONTRAILS Condensation Trails
COR Correction to the observation (METAR) F
CS Cirrostratus FA Area Forecast
CST Coast FAH Fahrenheit
CTGY Category FEW 1 or 2 octas (eighths) cloud coverage (METAR)
CTSKLS Catskills FC Funnel Cloud (METAR)
CU Cumulus +FC Tornado/ Water Spout (METAR)
CUFRA Cumulus Fractus FG Fog (METAR)
CYC Cyclonic FIBI Filed but Impractical to Transmit
CYCLGN Cyclogenesis FILG Filling
FINO Weather Report Will Not Be Filed for Transmission
D FL Flash Advisory
DABRK Daybreak FLDST Flood Stage
DCAVU Clear or Scattered Clouds and Visibility Greater FLG Falling
than Ten, Remainder of Report Missing (weather FLRY Flurry
reports only)
FLWIS Flood Warning Issued
DKTS Dakotas
FM From (4 digit beginning time in hours and minutes)
DMSH Diminish (TAF)
DNS Dense FNT Front
DNSLP Downslope FNTGNS Frontogenesis
DNSTRM Downstream FNTLYS Frontolysis
DP Deep FORNN Forenoon
DPNG Deepening FRMG Forming
DPTH Depth FROPA Frontal Passage
DR Low Drifting (METAR) FROSFC Frontal Surface
DRFT Drift FRST Frost
DS Dust Storm (METAR) FRWF Forecast Wind Factor
DSIPT Dissipate FRZ Freeze
DTLN International Dateline FRZLVL Freezing Level
DTRT Deteriorate FRZN Frozen
DU Widespread Dust (METAR) FT Terminal Forecast
DVV Downward Vertical Velocity FU Smoke (METAR)
DWNDFTS Downdrafts FULYR Smoke Layer Aloft
DWPNT Dew Point FUOCTY Smoke Over City
DZ Drizzle (METAR) FWC Fleet Weather Central
FZ Supercooled/freezing (METAR)
E
E Eastern Standard Time (time groups only) G
E Ending of Precipitation (time in minutes) (weather G Gusts Reaching (knots) (weather reports only)
reports only)
GLFALSK Gulf of Alaska
E Equatorial (air mass)
GLFCAL Gulf of California
E Estimated (weather reports only)
GLFMEX Gulf of Mexico
ELNGT Elongate
GLFSTLAWR Gulf of St. Lawrence
EMBDD Embedded
GR Hail (METAR)
EMSU Environment Meteorological Support Unit
GRAD Gradient
ENERN Eastnortheastern (weather reports only)
GRBNKS Grand Banks
ENEWD Eastnortheastward (weather reports only)
GRDL Gradual
EOF Expected Operations Forecast
GRTLKS Great Lakes
ESERN Eastsoutheastern (weather reports only)
GS Small Hail/Snow Pellets (METAR)
ESEWD Eastsoutheastward (weather reports only)
GSTS Gusts
EXTRAP Extrapolate
GSTY Gusty
H
HCVIS High Clouds Visible

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Notices to Airmen Contractions

Contraction Decode Contraction Decode

HDFRZ Hard Freeze LOEAT Lowest Temperature Equaled for All Time
HDSVLY Hudson Valley LOEFM Lowest Temperature Equaled for The Month
HI Hi LOESE Lowest Temperature Equaled So Early
HIEAT Highest Temperature Equaled for All Time LOESL Lowest Temperature Equaled So Late
HIEFM Highest Temperature Equaled for The Month LOTMP Lowest Temperature
HIESE Highest Temperature Equaled So Early LOXAT Lowest Temperature Exceeded for All Time
HIESL Highest Temperature Equaled So Late LOXFM Lowest Temperature Exceeded for The Month
HIFOR High Level Forecast LOXSE Lowest Temperature Exceeded So Early
HITMP Highest Temperature LOXSL Lowest Temperature Exceeded So Late
HIXAT Highest Temperature Exceeded for All Time LSR Loose Snow on Runway
HIXFM Highest Temperature Exceeded for The Month LTGCC Lightning Cloud-to-Cloud
HIXSE Highest Temperature Exceeded So Early LTGCCCG Lightning Cloud-to-Cloud, Cloud-to-Ground
HIXSL Highest Temperature Exceeded So Late LTGCG Lightning Cloud-to-Ground
HLSTO Hailstones LTGCW Lightning Cloud-to-Water
HLTP Hilltop LTGIC Lightning in Clouds
HLYR Haze Layer Aloft LTLCG Little Change
HURCN Hurricane LTNG Lightning
HUREP Hurricane Report LX Low Index
HX High Index LYR Layer or Layered or Layers
HZ Haze (METAR)
M
I M Maritime (air mass)
IC Ice Crystals (METAR) M In temperature field means minus or below zero
ICG Icing (METAR)
ICGIC Icing in Clouds M In RVR Field, indicates visibility less than lowest
reportable sensor value (e.g. M0600FT)
ICGICIP Icing in Clouds and Precipitation
M Missing (weather reports only)
ICGIP Icing in Precipitation
M Mountain Standard Time (time groups only)
IMDT Immediate
MA Map Analysis
INLD Inland
MAN Manitoba
INSTBY Instability
MEGG Merging
INTR Interior
MEX Mexico
INTRMTRGN InterMountain Region
MHKVLY Mohawk Valley
INTS Intense
MI Shallow (METAR)
INTSFY Intensify
MIDN Midnight
INVRN Inversion
MIFG Patches of Shallow Fog Not Deeper Than Two
IOVC In Overcast
Meters (METAR)
IR Ice on Runway
MLTLVL Melting Level
MMO Main Meteorological Office
J
MNLD Mainland
JTSTR Jet Stream
MOGR Moderate or Greater
MONTR Monitor
K
MOV Move
K Cold (air mass)
MRGL Marginal
KFRST Killing Frost
MRNG Morning
MRTM Maritime
L
MS Minus
LABRDR Labrador
MSTLY Mostly
LCTMP Little Change in Temperature
MSTR Moisture
LDG Landing
MTN Mountain
LFT Lift
MVFR Marginal VFR
LGRNG Long Range
MXD Mixed
LIFR Low IFR (weather reports only)
LK Lake

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Contractions Notices to Airmen

Contraction Decode Contraction Decode

N PDMT Predominate
NB New Brunswick PDW Priority Delayed Weather
NCWX No Change in Weather PL Ice Pellets (METAR)
NELY Northeasterly (weather reports only) PEN Peninsula
NERN Northeastern PGTSND Puget Sound
NEW ENG New England PIBAL Pilot Balloon Observation
NFLD Newfoundland PISE No Pilot Balloon Observation Due To Unfavorable
NGT Night Sea Conditions
NL No Layers PISO No Pilot Balloon Observation Due To Snow
NMBR Number PIWI No Pilot Balloon Observation Due To High, or
Gusty, Surface Wind
NNERN Northnortheastern (weather reports only)
NNEWD Northnortheastward (weather reports only) PLW Plow (snow)
NNWRN Northnorthwestern (weather reports only) PNHDL Panhandle
NNWWD Northwestward (weather reports only) PO Dust/Sand Whirls (METAR)
NO Not available (e.g. SLPNO, RVRNO) PPINA Radar Weather Report Not Available (or omitted
for a reason different than those otherwise stated)
NORPI No Pilot Balloon Observation Will Be Filed Next
Collection Unless Weather Changes Significantly PPINE Radar Weather Report No Echoes Observed
NPRS Nonpersistent PPINO Radar Weather Report Equipment Inoperative Due
To Breakdown
NS Nimbostratus
PPIOK Radar Weather Report Equipment Operation
NS Nova Scotia Resumed
NSCSWD No Small Craft or Storm Warning are Being
PPIOM Radar Weather Report Equipment Inoperative Due
Displayed
To Maintenance
NSW No Significant Weather (METAR)
PR Partial (METAR)
NVA Negative Vorticity Advection
PRBLTY Probability
NWLY Northwesterly (weather reports only)
PRESFR Pressure Falling Rapidly
NWRN Northwestern (weather reports only)
PRESRR Pressure Rising Rapidly
PRJMP Pressure Jump (weather reports only)
O
PROB40 Probability 40 percent (METAR)
OBS Observation
PROG Prognosis or Prognostic
OBSC Obscure
PRSNT Present
OCFNT Occluded Front
PS Plus
OCLD Occlude
PSG Passage
OCLN Occlusion
PSG Passing
OFP Occluded Frontal Passage
PTCHY Patchy
OFSHR Offshore
PTLY Partly
OMTNS Over Mountains
PVA Positive Vorticity Advection
ONSHR On Shore
PY Spray (METAR)
ONT Ontario
ORGPHC Orographic
Q
OSV Ocean Station Vessel
QSTNRY Quasi-stationary
OTAS On Top and Smooth
QUE Quebec
OTLK Outlook
OVC Overcast R
R Runway (used in RVR measurement)
P
RA Rain (METAR)
P Pacific Standard Time (time group only)
RABA No RAWIN Obs., No Balloons Available
P Polar (air mass)
RABAL Radiosonde Balloon Wind Data
P In RVR field, indicates visibility greater than
RABAR Radiosonde Balloon Release
highest reportable sensor value (e.g. P6000FT)
RACO No RAWIN Obs., Communications Out
P6SM Visibility greater than 6 statute miles (TAF only)
RADAT Radiosonde Observation Data
PAC Pacific
RADNO Report Missing Account Radio Failure
PBL Probable
RAFI Radiosonde Observation Not Filed
PCPN Precipitation
RAFRZ Radiosonde Observation Freezing Levels
PDMT Predominant
RAHE No RAWIN Obs., No Gas Available

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Notices to Airmen Contractions

Contraction Decode Contraction Decode

RAICG Radiosonde Observation Icing at SLD Solid
RAOB Radiosonde Observation SLP Sea Level pressure (e.g. 1013.2 reported as 132)
RAREP Radar Weather Report SLR Slush on Runway
RAVU Radiosonde Analysis and Verification Unit SLT Sleet
RAWE No RAWIN obs., Unfavorable Weather SM Statute mile(s)
RAWI No RAWIN Obs., High and Gusty Winds SMK Smoke
RAWIN Upper Winds Obs. (by radio methods) SMTH Smooth
RCD Radar Cloud Detection Report SN Snow (METAR)
RCDNA Radar Cloud Detection Report Not Available SNBNK Snowbank
RCDNE Radar Cloud Detection Report No Echoes SNFLK Snowflake
Observed SNOINCR Snow Depth Increase in Past Hour
RCDNO Radar Cloud Detector Inoperative Due to SNW Snow
Breakdown Until
SNWFL Snowfall
RCDOM Radar Cloud Detector Inoperative Due to
SP Station Pressure
Maintenance Until
SPECI Special Report (METAR)
RCKY Rockies (mountains)
SPKL Sprinkle
RDG Ridge
SPLNS South Plains
RDWND Radar Dome Wind
SPRD Spread
RESTR Restrict
SQ Squall (METAR)
RGD Ragged
SQAL Squall
RH Relative Humidity
SQLN Squall Line
RHINO Radar Echo Height Information Not Available
SS Sandstorm (METAR)
RHINO Radar Range Height Indicator Not Operating on
Scan SSERN South-southeastern (weather reports only)
RIOGD Rio Grande SSEWD South-southeastward (weather reports only)
RMK Remark(s) SSWRN South-southwestern (weather reports only)
RNFL Rainfall SSWWD Southsouthwestward (weather reports only)
ROBEPS Radar Operating Below Prescribed Standard ST Stratus
RPD Rapid STAGN Stagnation
RSG Rising STFR Stratus Fractus
RUF Rough STFRM Stratiform
RY/RWY Runway STG Strong
STM Storm
S STNRY Stationary
SA Sand (METAR) SWLG Swelling
SASK Saskatchewan SWLY Southwesterly (weather reports only)
SBSD Subside SWRN Southwestern (weather reports only)
SC Stratocumulus SX Stability Index
SCSL Standing Lenticular Stratocumulus SXN Section
SCT Scattered SYNOP Synoptic
SELS Severe Local Storms SYNS Synopsis
SELY Southeasterly (weather reports only)
SERN Southeastern (weather reports only) T

SFERICS Atmospherics T Trace (weather reports only)

SG Snow Grains (METAR) T Tropical (air mass)
SGD SolarGeophysical Data TCU Towering Cumulus
SH Showers (METAR) TEMPO Temporary changes expected (between 2 digit
beginning hour and 2 digit ending hour) (TAF)
SHFT Shift (weather reports only)
THD Thunderhead (non METAR)
SHLW Shallow
THDR Thunder (non METAR)
SHRTLY Shortly
THK Thick
SHWR Shower
THN Thin
SIERNEV Sierra Nevada
TKOF Takeoff
SIR Snow and Ice on Runway
TOP Cloud Top
SKC Sky Clear (METAR)
TOVC Top of Overcast

9
Contractions Notices to Airmen

Contraction Decode Contraction Decode

TPG Topping VSBYIR Visibility Increasing Rapidly
TRIB Tributary VV Vertical Visibility (Indefinite Ceiling) (METAR)
TROF Trough
TROP Tropopause W
TRPCD Tropical Continental (air mass) W Warm (air mass)
TRPCL Tropical WA AIRMET
TRPLYR Trapping Layer WDC1 World Data Centers in Western Europe
TS Thunderstorm (METAR) WDC2 World Data Centers Throughout Rest of World
TSHWR Thundershower (non METAR) WDLY Widely
TSQLS Thundersqualls (non METAR) WDSPRD Widespread
TSTM Thunderstorm (non METAR) WEA Weather
TURBC Turbulence WFP Warm Front Passage
TURBT Turbulent WINT Winter
TWRG Towering WND Wind
WNWRN Westnorthwestern (weather reports only)
U WNWWD Westnorthwestward (weather reports only)
UAG Upper Atmosphere Geophysics WPLTO Western Plateau
UDDF Up and Down Drafts WR Wet Runway
UNSBL Unseasonable WRM Warm
UNSTBL Unstable WRMFNT Warm Front
UNSTDY Unsteady WRNG Warning
UNSTL Unsettle WS Wind Shear (in TAFs, low level and not associated
UP Unknown Precipitation (Automated Observations) with convective activity)
UPDFTS Updrafts WS SIGMET
UPR Upper WSHFT Wind Shift
UPSLP Upslope WSOM Weather Service Operations Manual
UPSTRM Upstream WSR Wet Snow on Runway
UVV Upward Vertical Velocity WSWRN Westsouthwestern (weather reports only)
UWNDS Upper Winds WSWWD Westsouthwestward (weather reports only)
WTR Water
V WTSPT Waterspout
V Varies (wind direction and RVR) WV Wave
V Variable (weather reports only) WW Severe Weather Forecast
VA Volcanic Ash (METAR) WXCON Weather Reconnaissance Flight Pilot Report
VC Vicinity X
VLCTY Velocity XCP Except
VLNT Violent XPC Expect
VLY Valley
VR Veer Y

VRB Variable wind direction when speed is less than or Y Yukon Standard Time (time groups only)
equal to 6 knots YKN Yukon
VRISL Vancouver Island, BC YLSTN Yellowstone
VRT MOTN Vertical Motion
VSBY Visibility Z
VSBYDR Visibility Decreasing Rapidly ZI Zonal Index
ZI Zone of Interior

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