Which organization is responsible for establishing METAR file times between H+55 and H+59 past the hour?

• A. Exploitation units (EU)
• B. Base Weather Unit
• C. Weather Forecast Division
• D. Air Weather Center

Answer: (A)

METARs are hourly weather observations used for immediate flight planning and operations. The Exploitation Unit handles the flow and dissemination of weather data, including establishing when METAR files are produced and published. By setting the file times to the window from five minutes before the top of the hour up to the last minute of the hour, they ensure the most recent observations are captured, verified, and ready to be distributed just before the hour changes. Other units focus on different roles—Base Weather Unit handles base-level observations and routine services, the Weather Forecast Division concentrates on forecasts, and the Air Weather Center provides broader, centralized weather support—so the timing window is specifically within the Exploitation Unit’s domain.