If SPECI criteria are met at the time a METAR observation is due, how is it reported?

When SPECI criteria are met at the time a METAR observation is due, the correct reporting method is to issue a METAR instead of a SPECI. This is because a METAR is the standard observation report that is generated at regular intervals, typically every hour, while a SPECI is an irregular weather report for significant changes in conditions that occur between METAR reports.

When specific conditions, such as visibility, significant weather, or other important changes occur, and they meet the thresholds for reporting, the observer still delivers a METAR report during the scheduled observation time. The METAR will include the updated conditions resulting from the SPECI criteria. Thus, whenever a METAR report is due and any of the SPECI conditions are satisfied, it will inherently capture those changes in the regular METAR report. The connection between METAR and SPECI is vital as it ensures that the most current and relevant information is reflected in the scheduled observations.