A METAR observation contains how many sections?

A METAR observation consists of two distinct sections: the header section and the body section.

The header section provides essential information about the report itself, such as the station identifier, the type of report (METAR for routine observations or SPECI for special observations), and the time of the observation.

The body section contains specific meteorological data, including temperature, dew point, wind speed and direction, visibility, weather phenomena, and significant changes in weather conditions.

Understanding this structure is vital for anyone analyzing weather reports, as it allows them to extract critical information efficiently. The differentiation between the header and body sections is also important for understanding how to interpret various elements of the observation, making it easier for meteorologists and weather observers to communicate effectively.