Call me stupid, I probably deserve it, but as I am checking the METAR and TAF to see what the situation might look like tonight, I’ve come across this abbreviation “BLU” and I can’t remember what it stands for:
BOSCOMBE DOWN EGDM 061150Z 13006KT 9999 SCT042 20/09 Q1021 BLU NOSIG
I mean I have used these info TAFs and METARs quite a lot before but not sure about this one: would it mean hazy or something similar?
The met office has a dictionary of abbreviations but none starting with b seem to match: BLO for below or BL + DU or SA or SN for blowing dust sand or snow.
So what’s this “blu” story then?
Thanks,
Steph
By: Steph - 6th July 2004 at 13:38
Thanks for your replies, I feel better now! I didn’t notice that this was just featured on a military METAR and not on other airfields METARs.
Hopefully the day will remain blue 😉
Steph
By: Moggy C - 6th July 2004 at 13:30
In general terms I’d be unlikely to attempt anything below WHT
Moggy
By: met24 - 6th July 2004 at 13:22
The RAF have various colour codes that categorise the weather conditions. If you Google for ‘RAF colour codes’ that’ll give you a couple of pages listing them. Blue is 8km vis and no cloud below 2500ft.
By: Moggy C - 6th July 2004 at 13:16
It’s a military ‘code’ aimed at making life simpler for beligerent types in a hurry to rush off and kill somebody (deliberately)
Colour states: METAR reports from military airfields operated by the RAF, some USAF and others may have a ‘colour-code’ appended (usually only when ATC is open), which describes the airfield ‘fitness’: these run from BLU best, through WHT GRN YLO (1 and 2), AMB and RED. The colour is based on the lowest cloud base (usually 3 oktas or more cover, but some use 5 oktas) and the horizontal ‘MET’ visibility. BLACK is also used, for airfield closed for non-weather reasons.
Moggy
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July 6, 2004 at 1:11 pm