Learn how to encode smoke in LAWRS METARs with FU SCT020 when 4/8 of the sky is smoky at 2,000 feet.

Smoke and Sky: Cracking the LAWRS Column 14 Code

Let’s imagine you’re looking up at the weather layer as you taxi toward the runway. The sky isn’t just “clouds”; it’s a coded message for pilots and meteorologists. In the Limited Aviation Weather Reporting System (LAWRS), column 14 carries specific clues about phenomena like smoke, dust, fog, and more. Getting these codes right isn’t just trivia—it’s about safe, efficient flight operations. So, what happens when a layer of smoke blankets part of the sky at a certain altitude? Let’s walk through a concrete example and keep the ideas practical and memorable.

What column 14 is really telling you

Column 14 houses three key pieces of information all at once:

• The weather phenomenon (what you’re observing)

• The extent of cloud cover (how much of the sky is covered)

• The height or base of that layer (how high in the atmosphere the feature sits)

Think of it as a compact weather telegram: a single line that needs to be precise and unambiguous. Because pilots, dispatchers, and AWOS/ASOS operators rely on this shorthand, you’ll want the logic to feel natural—like you’re describing the scene to a colleague, not reciting a dictionary.

The scenario: smoke covering 4/8 of the sky at 2,000 feet

Question: If there is a layer of smoke covering 4/8 of the sky at 2,000 feet, how should it be encoded in column 14?

Options you might see include:

• A. FU SCT020

• B. FU BKN020

• C. SMK SCT020

• D. FEW SCT020

The right pick is A: FU SCT020.

Here’s why, in plain terms:

• The phenomenon code: FU is the shorthand for smoke. When you see a smoke layer, you don’t use SMK or SMOKE as a separate word in column 14—FU is the standard prefix that signals “smoke.” It’s the same reason you might see FG for fog or DU for mist in other parts of METAR-style reporting. Keeping the two-letter code compact helps everyone scan reports quickly.

• The cloud cover code: SCT stands for scattered. That means roughly 3/8 to 4/8 of the sky is blocked by the feature. In this scenario, 4/8 is right at the upper edge of scattered, which is the exact spot where SCT020 belongs. It’s a nice reminder that the same cloud-base height can sit behind different sky-cover descriptors depending on the observed fraction of the sky.

• The base height: 020 is the base altitude in hundreds of feet. Put plainly, 020 means 2,000 feet above ground level (AGL). The base height tells you where exactly the smoke layer is sitting, which matters for deciding flight levels, visibility implications, and the likely vertical extent of the plume.

A quick note on the common pitfalls

• BKN020 would imply a heavier blanket, about 5/8 to 7/8 of the sky is obscured. That’s a different visual and a different safety implication, so it wouldn’t fit the described scene.

• FEW020 would mean only 1/8 to 2/8 of the sky is covered, which contradicts the 4/8 given in the scenario.

• SMK or SMK020 isn’t the standard encoding you’ll see in LAWRS-style reports. The accepted shorthand for smoke is FU, not SMK, in column 14.

Why the base height matters in practice

Even a quick glance at column 14 should give you a clear sense of where the smoke sits relative to you and any potential instrument readings. A base at 2,000 ft AGL is a different traffic picture than a smoke layer at, say, 8,000 ft. Lower smoke can encroach on approach paths and reduce forward visibility, while higher smoke might affect ascent or cruise phases differently. In LAWRS and related weather reporting systems, those height numbers aren’t just trivia; they’re signals for pilots to adjust speeds, altitudes, or routing when practical.

From code to cockpit: turning codes into decisions

If you’re on the receiving end of a column 14 report like FU SCT020, what should you do?

• First, acknowledge the phenomenon. Smoke isn’t just a nuisance; it can smear visibility and complicate visual references. You’ll want to factor it into approach planning, departure paths, or en route weather avoidance.

• Next, take the height into account. A 2,000-foot base means a relatively lower layer could affect takeoff and initial climb. If you’re planning a busy corridor with multiple arrival streams, that base height could be the difference between a smooth flow and a hold.

• Finally, respect the scale. SCT (3/8 to 4/8) tells you the cloud-like feature isn’t a full overcast but still substantial enough to warrant attention. It’s a nuance that pilots learn to map against other weather clues—wind shifts, turbulence, or precipitation signals.

A little memory aid you can actually use

• FU = Smoke. Two letters that stand for something you can picture: fumes rising from a wildfire, a local industrial plume, or a distant volcano’s plume drifting in. It’s a precise tag for the “what am I seeing?”

• SCT = Scattered. Picture patches of smoke breaking up the sky rather than a solid ceiling. It’s the 3/8 to 4/8 range—visible but not a full blanket.

• 020 = 2,000 feet. Think of it as a simple way to mark where this layer sits in the vertical stack.

A few digressions that stay on point

• Real-world smoke events come from wildfires, agricultural burning, or even long-burning industrial activities. In coastal or desert regions, you might run into dust rather than smoke, which has its own codes (like DU for dust, in some systems). The key is to learn the family of codes and know when to apply which one.

• You’ll also see interactions with other weather elements. For example, a smoke layer at 2,000 ft could mix with fog under the right humidity, or it could blend with low stratus in an early morning run. The result isn’t just a code upgrade; it’s a narrative about how the atmosphere is behaving right now.

• If you’re curious about the broader system, check out local aviation weather resources from NOAA or corresponding aviation authorities. They usually provide glossaries that pair with real METARs and LAWRS-like outputs, helping you see how these codes translate into day-to-day decisions.

Tips to keep this intuitive in the field

• Build a tiny mental map: phenomenon code + cloud cover code + base height. FU SCT 020 becomes a compact scene you can relay in seconds.

• Practice with a few scenarios. Try smoke at different bases (e.g., 1,500 ft, 4,000 ft) and different cover fractions (FEW, SCT, BKN) to see how the encoding changes.

• When in doubt, cross-check with other weather indicators. If you’re seeing smoke, you’ll likely also notice reduced visibility or altered sky color in the same window.

A note on tone and audience

If you’re here to understand the mechanics, you’re in good company. The goal isn’t to memorize a string of letters and numbers in isolation; it’s to cultivate a knack for translating a real-world scene into precise, concise communication. The wing tips of good weather reporting are clear, consistent codes that cut through jargon and save time in the cockpit. That’s the practical upside—less ambiguity, more safety, and a little confidence when the sky looks a bit smoky.

Bringing it all together

So, when you encounter a layer of smoke covering 4/8 of the sky at 2,000 ft, the workflow is straightforward:

• Identify the phenomenon: smoke is a weather feature, not mere scenery.

• Decide the coverage: four-eighths maps to SCT (scattered).

• Pin the height: 020 equals 2,000 feet AGL.

• Combine them: FU SCT020.

That’s the essence of the encoding in column 14. It’s a compact way to tell pilots exactly what’s happening in the atmosphere, without forcing them to guess or reinterpret what they see outside the window or what their instruments report.

If you enjoy this kind of breakdown, you’ll find more real-world scenes where these codes save time and reduce risk. The sky isn’t just something to look at; it’s a living system of signals, and LAWRS gives you a toolkit to read it quickly and accurately. By staying curious about the details—the smoke, the cover, the base height—you’ll move through weather reporting with a steadier hand and a clearer mind.

Final thought: small codes, big implications

In the end, FU SCT020 isn’t just a line you memorize. It’s a snapshot of air, light, and motion that helps crafts travel safely through a smoky pocket of the atmosphere. Master that mindset, and you’ll handle similar scenarios with the same calm you’d bring to a routine radio call. The sky speaks in codes; your job is to listen, translate, and act with purpose. And yes, the team at the weather desk, the flight crew in the cabin, and the dispatcher on the ground all benefit when that message lands exactly right.