Wind Wind is reported by the groups dddff(f)Gf_mf_m(f_m)KT and d_nd_nd_nVd_Xd_Xd_X. The first wind data group includes reported true wind direction, wind speed, and wind character; the second group is used to report variable wind direction. While the wind direction and speed must be included in every METAR report even when the wind is calm, the wind character and wind direction variability are only reported when significant. WIND SPEED, DIRECTION, AND CHAR- ACTER.—dddffGf_mf_mKT. The true wind direction, ddd, is reported to the nearest 10 degrees, and may be encoded as VRB when wind speed is less than 6 knots. For example: Wind from 90° is reported "090." The ff is the 2-minute average wind speed in knots. If no gusts are reported, the identifier KT follows without a space. Calm  winds  are  encoded  "00000KT."  Wind  speeds exceeding 99 knots are reported in three figures. Gusts are  only  reported  if  winds  exceed  the  average  wind speed by 10 knots or greater. The G is the indicator for wind  gusts,  and  f_mf_m  is  the  maximum  gust  speed observed  during  the  last  10-minute  period.  Gusts exceeding 99 knots are also reported in three figures; for example, a wind from 270 at 25 knots with gusts to 40 knots  would  be  encoded  as  27025G40KT. While KT is the indicator for wind speed (in knots) as used in the United States, wind speeds may be reported by other countries in kilometers per hour or in meters per second. KMH indicates wind speed in kilometers per hour, and MPS indicates wind speed in meters per second. VARIABLE WIND DIRECTION GROUP.— dndndnVdxdxdx. The variable wind direction group is only reported if the winds vary by 60° or more and the winds are >6 knots. The dndndn is the "left" direction limit (in true [T] azimuth degrees), while the V is an indicator for "variable," and dxdxdx is the "right" limit. For example, if the winds are variable between 123°T and  191°T,  the  group  would  be  encoded  120V190. Wind direction may also be reported as variable if the wind  speed  is  less  than  6  knots,  for  example, VRBO4KT. Visibility Groups T h e   v i s i b i l i t y   g r o u p s ,   V V V V V S M , R D_R D_R / V_R V_R V_R V_R F T ,    o r    R D_R D_R /V_NV_NV_NV_NVV_XV_XV_XV_XFT   are   used   to   report horizontal surface visibility and runway visual range, respectively. HORIZONTAL  SURFACE  VISIBILITY.— VVVVVSM group is the minimum significant surface horizontal visibility and is reported by VVVVV in statute miles (SM) with reportable increments, as described in chapter  1.  This  element  is  reported  in  meters  by OCONUS  stations. R U N W A Y   V I S U A L   R A N G E .— R D_R D_R / V_R V_R V_R V_R F T    o r    R D_R D_R / V_NV_NV_NV_NVV_XV_XV_XV_XFT.   Runway   visual   range (RVR) is only reported when the RVR on any active runway is 6,000 feet or less or the visibility is less than 1 mile. Groups may be repeated as required for each runway. The R is the indicator for RVR, while D_RD_R is the  runway  identifier,  plus  designator  L  (left),  C (center), or R (right) as appropriate. The V_RV_RV_RV_R is the  average  touchdown  RVR  during  the  10-minute observation period, in hundreds of feet. If the Runway visual range is variable, the second RVR  group,  RD_RD_R/V_NV_NV_NV_NVV_XV_XV_XV_XFT, is used in place of the first. To be considered variable, 1- minute average readings must differ by more than 50 meters or, more than 20% of the mean value during the   10-minute   observation   period.   The   lowest reportable 1-minute mean minimum and the highest reportable  1-minute  mean  maximum  visual  ranges, respectively,  are  reported  during  variable  RVR conditions. When an observed RVR is less than the RVR sensor’s  established  accurate  minimum  reading,  the minimum  accurate  reading  is  reported  and  preceded  by the letter M. Example: The sensor reports a 40-meter visibility but the sensor’s minimum limit is 50 meters; V_RV_RV_RV_R is encoded M0050FT. Likewise, if the observed RVR is greater than the established accurate RVR-sensor maximum, then the sensor’s accurate maximum reading is reported and preceded by the letter P. Again, OCONUS stations will report RVR using meters. Present  Weather  Groups This group is used to report present weather—w'w'. This group is only reported when significant weather is occurring at the station or in the vicinity (within 10 miles of the station) at the time of the observation. The aviation present weather group may be used three times to include all significant weather. Each usage consists of from two to nine characters to describe present weather. Each group may contain, in order, an intensity symbol "+" for heavy or "-" for light (no intensity symbol means the precipitation is moderate) or the indicator VC for vicinity, a two-letter qualifier 3-7