METAR weather code reference for PL (Ice Pellets)
Small, translucent balls of ice that bounce when hitting the ground. Ice pellets (sleet) form when snowflakes melt in a warm layer aloft and then refreeze in a cold layer near the surface. Their presence indicates a complex temperature profile and often means freezing rain may be nearby.
Here are common ways PL appears in real METAR observations:
PL-PL+PLThese METAR codes are commonly seen alongside PL or describe related weather phenomena:
Frozen precipitation in the form of ice crystals, most often occurring as snowflakes. Snow significantly reduces visibility and is a primary concern for aircraft icing, runway contamination, and braking action. Often reported with intensity modifiers.
Liquid precipitation in the form of water droplets greater than 0.5 mm in diameter. Rain is the most commonly reported precipitation type in METARs and can be combined with intensity modifiers (- for light, + for heavy) and descriptors like SH (showers) or FZ (freezing).
Indicates that liquid precipitation is freezing upon contact with surfaces at or below 0 degrees Celsius. Freezing rain (FZRA) and freezing drizzle (FZDZ) are among the most dangerous weather conditions for aircraft, causing rapid ice accumulation on wings, control surfaces, and engine inlets. Freezing fog (FZFG) deposits rime ice on exposed surfaces.
Small hail (graupel) or snow pellets less than 5 mm in diameter. These ice pellets form when supercooled water droplets freeze onto snowflakes. Less damaging than full hail but still indicates convective activity and potential for icing conditions.