How is wind speed represented in a METAR?

Wind speed in a METAR report is represented in knots, which is a standard unit of measurement used in aviation. One knot is equivalent to one nautical mile per hour, and this unit is preferred in aviation contexts because it corresponds more closely to the distances covered over the Earth's surface, especially over water. Using knots allows for better navigation and communication among pilots and air traffic controllers, as it aligns well with navigation charts and systems used in aviation.

Other measurement units like miles per hour, kilometers per hour, or meters per second are not utilized in METAR reports, as they do not conform to the standardized format adopted internationally for aviation weather reporting.