The "TLO" in the METAR RMK!?

Question

WMKK 221100Z 03010KT 330V110 0800 +TSRA FEW007 FEW017CB SCT028 BKN260 25/25 Q1006 TEMPO 0500 +TSRA TLO NE-SE

the "TLO" means what?!

there are always the code of direction following it!

Answer 1

Tl0  with the "0" usually as a subscript.

Note: I think the second letter should be a small "l" and not a capitol "L".  However, it is standard to convert all letters to capitol letters when you transmit a weather observations.        

Tl = Thunderstorm

0 = Intensity code (based on frequency of lightning observed and not intensity of precipitation of thunderstorm)

The observer maybe trying to tell the pilots that not only are the thunderstorms over the station, but he can also see occasional thunderstorm activities to the (distance) NE to SE from the station.

From a web site (see link below), this is what I found:

"The intensity of a thunderstorm is judged by the frequency of the thunder and lightning, so if there is a thunderstorm in progress with little thunder / lightning activity, but heavy rain, this would be noted as: tl<sub>o</sub>R. Note that any intensity qualification for a thunderstorm is applied to the combined letters, tl, not to each letter. So a 'slight' thunderstorm is noted as: tl<sub>o."

Here is a good link that you may be interested for finding these international codes and non-standard code for your future reference.  Please check out the links on this site too.  

http://weatherfaqs.org.uk/book/export/ht...

Hmm, it is interesting that this METAR observation is using a "TEMPO" group.  A "TEMPO" is usual used in a forecast (TAF).  Since there are no real standard international rules in the remarks section of a METAR, I guess using other aviation terms mixed into a METAR are okay.