metaf2xml

metaf2xml is a handy little script made with the Perl programming language. It’s designed to grab, parse, and decode weather reports used in aviation, along with other types of weather info. Pretty cool, right?

How to Use metaf2xml

One thing to keep in mind is that metaf2xml doesn’t have a fancy graphical user interface. You’ll need to run this script using the Terminal application. If you’re not comfortable with command line stuff, it might feel a bit tricky at first.

Getting Help in the Terminal

If you get stuck, you can always call up the metaf2xml help in Terminal. This will give you all the details on how to use the different arguments for various tasks.

Download Meteorological Reports

This nifty tool can download AMDAR files that have meteorological reports from aircraft, BUOY files that show observations from buoys, or SYNOP files which include synoptic observations. That’s a lot of weather info!

Aerodrome Forecasts and More

You can also use it to fetch aerodrome forecasts that come as TAF files or various weather reports like METAR, SPECI, or SAO. And if you don’t specify an argument? No worries! metaf2xml will treat them as BUFR messages by default.

Add-Ons and Resources

The metaf2xml package isn’t just about the script; it comes packed with other resource files too! These allow you to parse messages and export data into XML files. You can even decode BUFR messages or convert source files into a format that works with the parser.

User-Friendly Extras

You’ll also find some extra Perl modules inside the metaf2xml archive. Plus, there are XML style sheets included that help transform content so it's easier on the eyes. And don’t forget—there's documentation and usage instructions for all those scripts!

The Bottom Line on metaf2xml

In short, metaf2xml offers a set of Perl scripts and modules aimed at helping you access weather forecasts and observations used in aviation while also processing data using pre-defined XML style sheets.

However, keep in mind that having to control everything through the Terminal might be a downside for users who prefer not working with command lines.
Download metaf2xml here!