What is a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) used for?

• A. Forecast weather conditions for a specific airport over a 24 to 30 hour period.
• B. Forecast winds and temperatures aloft only.
• C. Forecasts for the entire country.
• D. In-flight weather advisories for any aviation weather.

Answer: (A)

A Terminal Aerodrome Forecast is an airport-specific weather forecast for the next 24 to 30 hours, used to plan and manage flight operations at that aerodrome. It spells out what to expect at the surface—wind direction and speed, gusts, visibility, weather phenomena (like rain or snow), and cloud cover—so pilots can anticipate changes that will affect takeoffs, landings, and approach minima. This is different from winds aloft forecasts (which predict conditions higher up), national or regional forecasts, or in‑flight weather advisories like SIGMETs/AIRMETs, which cover broader areas or en route conditions. TAFs are issued for individual airports and are updated regularly to reflect evolving conditions.