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In a METAR message, what do the abbreviations "SQ" and "PL" mean respectively?
  • A
    SQ = large increase in wind lasting more than 1 min; PL = dust whirls
  • B
    SQ = large increase in wind lasting more than 1 min; PL = ice pellets
  • C
    SQ = large increase in wind lasting less than 1 min; PL = ice pellets
  • D
    SQ = large increase in wind lasting less than 1 min; PL = pollution

ICAO Annex 3
Appendix 3 - 4.4 Present weather

4.4.2 Reporting
4.4.2.3 Recommendation.— In local routine and special reports and in METAR and SPECI, the following types of present weather phenomena should be reported, using their respective abbreviations and relevant criteria, as appropriate:

a) Precipitation
Drizzle - DZ
Rain - RA
Snow - SN
Snow grains - SG
Ice pellets - PL
Ice crystals - IC
Hail - GR
Small hail and/or snow pellets - GS

d) Other phenomena
Dust/sand whirls (dust devils) - PO
Squall - SQ
Funnel cloud (tornado or waterspout) - FC
Duststorm - DS
Sandstorm - SS

Note: Squalls are strong winds of intermediate duration (at least one minute, up to several minutes, min. 16 kts increase in wind).

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