What is the primary use of METAR reports?

The primary use of METAR reports is to provide an accurate and timely report of observed weather conditions at an airport. These reports are generated at regular intervals, typically every hour, and present essential information such as temperature, wind direction and speed, visibility, precipitation, and cloud cover. METARs are critical for pilots as they assist in flight planning and decision-making, ensuring that pilots have the most current information about the weather conditions at their departure and arrival airports, which significantly influences safety and operational efficiency.

While forecasting long-term weather events is important, that function is typically reserved for TAFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts), which predict weather over a longer duration. Continuous updates on changing conditions can be found in other reporting systems and are more applicable to aviation weather services that monitor real-time conditions. Advising pilots on air traffic restrictions is also an important aspect of aviation safety, but it falls under different communications and not specifically under METAR reports, which focus solely on current weather observations.