How is FEW used in a METAR report?

FEW (Few Clouds) appears in the weather phenomena section of a METAR. Examples include: FEW050, FEW120, FEW250CB. It falls under the "Sky Condition" category.

What METAR codes are related to FEW?

Codes related to FEW (Few Clouds) include: SCT (Scattered), SKC (Sky Clear), CLR (Clear Below 12,000). These are often seen together in METAR weather observations.

Sky Condition

FEW—Few Clouds

Q: What does FEW mean in a METAR?

FEW stands for "Few Clouds" in a METAR weather report. Cloud coverage of 1/8 to 2/8 of the sky. Few clouds indicate mostly clear conditions and are not considered a ceiling. Followed by a three-digit height in hundreds of feet AGL (e.g., FEW050 means few clouds at 5,000 feet). FEW conditions are VFR-friendly and pose minimal obstruction.

METAR weather code reference for FEW (Few Clouds)

What Does FEW Mean?

Cloud coverage of 1/8 to 2/8 of the sky. Few clouds indicate mostly clear conditions and are not considered a ceiling. Followed by a three-digit height in hundreds of feet AGL (e.g., FEW050 means few clouds at 5,000 feet). FEW conditions are VFR-friendly and pose minimal obstruction.

Examples in METAR Reports

Here are common ways FEW appears in real METAR observations:

FEW050

FEW120

FEW250CB

Related Codes

These METAR codes are commonly seen alongside FEW or describe related weather phenomena:

SCT

Scattered

Cloud coverage of 3/8 to 4/8 of the sky. Scattered clouds are not considered a ceiling since more than half the sky is still visible. The three-digit number following indicates cloud base height in hundreds of feet AGL. Scattered layers still permit VFR operations under most circumstances.

SKC

Sky Clear

Indicates that the sky is completely clear with no clouds at any altitude. SKC is used when a human observer reports clear skies. This represents 0/8 cloud coverage. A sky clear report means excellent VFR conditions with respect to cloud cover.

CLR

Clear Below 12,000

Used exclusively by automated stations (ASOS/AWOS) to indicate that no clouds were detected below 12,000 feet AGL. The sensor cannot detect clouds above that altitude, so CLR does not guarantee clear skies above 12,000 feet. Pilots planning flights above 12,000 feet should consult additional weather sources.

Back to All METAR Codes