ATIS wind directions are normally magnetic, while METAR winds are true. Learn the rule, key exceptions and how to interpret both in a flight simulator.
In US aviation, the wind direction spoken on an ATIS is normally magnetic, so pilots can compare it directly with runway headings. The wind group in a coded METAR or TAF is true. If an ATIS includes raw METAR text, that embedded coded wind remains true—the usual source of confusion.
For our Aviation & Real-World Flying readers, the practical memory aid is: operational ATIS wind is magnetic; coded METAR wind is true. In both cases, the direction identifies where the wind is coming from, not where it is going.
Why does ATIS use magnetic degrees?
ATIS normally uses magnetic wind direction because it is operational airport information intended for immediate comparison with magnetic runway and cockpit headings. An ATIS call of “wind 260 at 12” means wind from approximately 260 degrees magnetic at 12 knots.
Runway designators are also based on a rounded heading under the applicable local convention, so Runway 27 does not necessarily have an exact centreline of 270 degrees. Magnetic variation also changes gradually, and runway numbers are not repainted after every small change. Our explanation of what an ATIS contains and how pilots use it covers the rest of the broadcast.
Which wind reports use true or magnetic north?
The wind reference depends on the report's format and purpose, not simply on whether the information appears as text or audio.
| Source | Usual reference | How to recognise it |
|---|---|---|
| Operational ATIS wind | Magnetic | Plain-language airport broadcast |
| Tower wind or wind check | Magnetic | Passed directly by ATC |
| METAR or SPECI | True | Coded observation such as 27012KT |
| TAF | True | Coded aerodrome forecast |
| Raw METAR copied into digital ATIS | True within that coded block | The original METAR syntax is retained |
Thus, 27012G20KT in a METAR means wind from 270 degrees true at 12 knots, gusting to 20. See our guide to decoding METAR wind groups and their true-north reference for the surrounding report.
Is an ATIS always magnetic?
No universal rule overrides a country's published procedures, but magnetic is the normal reference for an operational surface wind passed to aircraft by ATIS or ATC. Outside the United States, consult the relevant aeronautical publication if the reference is not stated or local practice differs.
A digital ATIS can also reproduce a raw METAR without converting its wind group. The coded group remains true even though it appears inside an ATIS message; a separately written operational wind can be magnetic. If a broadcast explicitly labels a direction as true, follow that label.
At exceptional aerodromes using a true-north operational reference, published local procedures take precedence. Small magnetic variations can also produce the same rounded ten-degree value in both systems, so matching numbers do not prove that the references are identical.
How should pilots and flight sim users compare the winds?
Identify the source first, then convert only when a true wind must be compared directly with a magnetic runway or heading.
- Identify the format: treat a coded METAR or TAF wind as true. Treat a normal operational ATIS or tower wind as magnetic unless it is explicitly labelled otherwise.
- Apply local magnetic variation once: to convert true to magnetic, subtract easterly variation or add westerly variation.
- Compare the result correctly: use the published runway heading where available rather than assuming the painted runway number is exact.
- Check time and rounding: ATIS and METAR observations may have different issue times, sensor inputs or rounding, especially during variable or rapidly changing winds.
For example, with 10 degrees east variation, a METAR wind of 270 degrees true converts to approximately 260 degrees magnetic. A plain-language ATIS reporting 260 degrees can therefore describe the same wind.
In a flight simulator, do not rotate the injected weather manually merely to make an ATIS number match a METAR. Weather engines model a physical wind direction, while ATC, weather panels and add-ons may present that wind using different references or update times. Our guide to live-weather sources and apparent wind mismatches explains those differences.
Some simulator ATC systems and third-party ATIS tools simply vocalise the raw METAR, so their announced “ATIS” wind may remain true rather than following real-world ATC convention. The common mistake is then applying magnetic variation twice. Check the displayed format and the software's stated convention before converting anything.