In a METAR report, the time of the Date/Time group refers to:

In a METAR report, the Date/Time group refers specifically to the moment when the observation was actually made, which includes the time of the last element observed. The information provided enables pilots and meteorologists to understand the conditions at that specific time, ensuring they have the most accurate data for their assessments. This is crucial for flight safety, as weather conditions can change rapidly.

The function of the Date/Time group is to inform the reader about when the conditions were recorded, rather than when the report was disseminated or generated. While dissemination can occur after data collection, the focus of this component of the METAR is on the timing of the weather phenomena being reported. Therefore, it captures both the moment of the observation and the last weather element noted, emphasizing the reliability of the data provided for current atmospheric conditions.