What is METAR and what information does it provide?

METAR stands for Meteorological Aerodrome Report. It is an aviation routine weather report that provides detailed information about the observed weather at an airport, including wind, visibility, cloud cover, temperature, dew point, and current weather phenomena. For example: METAR KJFK 121651Z 18005KT 10SM SCT020 BKN250 25/17 A3005 RMK AO2.