Which element is recorded immediately before sky condition in a METAR/SPECI report?

In a METAR/SPECI report, the element recorded immediately before sky condition is present weather. This information provides essential context about current atmospheric conditions that may affect flight operations. It describes significant weather phenomena such as rain, snow, fog, and thunderstorms, which are crucial for pilots and air traffic controllers to understand the conditions they will encounter.

The presence of weather phenomena is particularly important as it can influence visibility and overall safety in aviation. By placing present weather information directly before the sky condition, the report allows for a clear understanding of what visibility may be like in conjunction with the cloud cover and other sky conditions at that time.

In the sequence of a METAR/SPECI report, present weather precedes visibility, which in turn is followed by sky condition, thereby emphasizing the comprehensive view of current weather that pilots and meteorologists need to account for when assessing flight readiness.