What does METAR stand for in aviation meteorology?

METAR stands for Meteorological Aerodrome Report, and it is a standardized format for reporting weather information at an airport. These reports are issued at regular intervals, typically every hour, and contain critical data such as temperature, wind direction and speed, visibility, and significant weather conditions.

Understanding METAR is crucial for pilots as it provides them with real-time weather updates necessary for safe flight operations. This information helps in assessing current weather conditions, which is essential for takeoff, in-flight adjustments, and landing approaches.

The other options presented do not accurately reflect the meaning of METAR: "Monthly Aeronautical Report" would imply a report compiled on a monthly basis, which does not align with the typical frequency of METAR updates; "Meteorological Advanced Report" suggests an advanced or specialized reporting format that does not exist; and "Modeling Emergency Takeoff and Landing Report" is not related to standard aviation weather reporting practices. Thus, the correct interpretation of METAR as Meteorological Aerodrome Report is foundational knowledge in aviation meteorology.