What is the standard reporting interval for METAR?

The standard reporting interval for METAR is typically within the range of 55 to 59 minutes after the hour. This timing aligns with the operational needs of the aviation community, as METAR reports are designed to provide timely and accurate weather information for pilots, air traffic controllers, and meteorologists. Reporting weather conditions at this interval ensures that the data remains relevant and up-to-date, facilitating safe flight operations.

While the other reporting intervals might reflect common practices in different contexts, they do not represent the official standard for METAR. For example, reports every 30 minutes or once every hour could imply less frequent updates than what's typically needed for aviation weather reports, which are crucial for real-time decision-making. Similarly, a 15-minute reporting interval is unnecessarily frequent for most purposes, leading to potential data overload without a corresponding benefit.