Aviation Weather
TAF Forecast Explained: How Airport Forecasts Describe Changing Weather
What a TAF is, how it differs from a METAR, and how aviation forecasts communicate wind, visibility, clouds, and timing changes.
Quick answer: A TAF is an airport forecast. While a METAR reports current conditions, a TAF predicts expected conditions over a future period.
TAF vs METAR
METARs observe what is happening now. TAFs forecast what is expected at an airport.
Together they help users compare current conditions to expected changes.
Timing groups
TAFs use time groups to show when wind, visibility, weather, or cloud ceilings may change.
Temporary and probability groups communicate uncertainty or shorter-lived conditions.
Why it helps
TAFs are useful when fog, storms, snow, wind, or low clouds may affect travel.
Even non-pilots can use them for local timing clues if they learn the basics.