In aviation METAR data, wind direction reference is which north?

In aviation METAR data, wind direction reference is which north?

• A. Magnetic bearing
• B. Geographic north
• C. Magnetic north
• D. True north

Answer: (D)

Wind direction in METAR is referenced to true north. The value shown after the wind field indicates where the wind is coming from, measured clockwise from true north, providing a consistent global reference for meteorological observations. Magnetic variation changes by location and over time, which would make reporting inconsistent, so METAR uses true north instead. Therefore, wind from 060 degrees means the wind is coming from the northeast relative to true north. Magnetic north would not be used in METAR wind direction, and geographic north is essentially the same direction as true north, but the standard term in METAR is true north.

Wind direction in METAR is referenced to true north. The value shown after the wind field indicates where the wind is coming from, measured clockwise from true north, providing a consistent global reference for meteorological observations. Magnetic variation changes by location and over time, which would make reporting inconsistent, so METAR uses true north instead. Therefore, wind from 060 degrees means the wind is coming from the northeast relative to true north. Magnetic north would not be used in METAR wind direction, and geographic north is essentially the same direction as true north, but the standard term in METAR is true north.