SIGMET Decoder
Paste a SIGMET below to decode its identity, validity, hazardous weather, location, movement, vertical extent and other available advisory details.
What is a SIGMET?
A SIGMET is an aviation weather advisory for significant meteorological conditions that may affect the safety of aircraft operations. The exact format and reported phenomena depend on the product and area of responsibility.
The original advisory remains visible with the decoded information, so weather, locations, times and flight levels can be checked directly against the issued SIGMET.
CONUS non-convective SIGMETs
U.S. non-convective SIGMETs can cover severe turbulence, severe icing, widespread dust storms, widespread sandstorms and volcanic ash. The decoded report can include series information, validity, affected states, location, vertical extent and intensity change when those elements are present.
Convective SIGMETs
CONUS Convective SIGMETs can include the region, issuance number, validity, affected states, area-based thunderstorm descriptions, severe and embedded indicators, movement, cloud tops, intensification and remarks.
Outside-CONUS SIGMETs
For Outside-CONUS SIGMETs, the documented format covered here can include the FIR, observation and forecast information, geographic coordinates, movement and intensity information.
The documented volcanic ash and tropical cyclone examples are also decoded, including the observed and forecast positions represented in those messages.
Example SIGMET
SFOR UWS 100130 SIGMET ROMEO 1 VALID UNTIL 100530 OR WA FROM SEA TO PDT TO EUG TO SEA SEV TURB BTN FL280 AND FL350. CONDS CONTG BYD 0530Z.
This example is a CONUS non-convective SIGMET for severe turbulence affecting Oregon and Washington. The affected area is described by VOR references, with the reported turbulence between FL280 and FL350.
Decoder coverage
SIGMET formats vary by region and product family. Elements whose structure is established by the available documentation are decoded; other content remains visible in its original form rather than being assigned an assumed meaning.
Coverage includes the documented FAA formats and applicable WMO significant-weather terminology used on this page. It does not represent every SIGMET format used by every issuing authority worldwide.
Related U.S. weather products include AIRMETs and Center Weather Advisories. Dedicated decoders are also available for Tropical Cyclone Advisories and Volcanic Ash Advisories.