What are METARs and TAFs?
METAR is the international standard code format for hourly surface weather observations which is analogous to the SA coding currently used in the US. The acronym roughly translates from French as Aviation Routine Weather Report. TAF is the international standard code format for terminal forecasts issued for airports.
Are TAFS in Zulu time?
The letter “Z” is at the end to remind you the TAF is NOT in local time, it’s in “ZULU” time. Aviation always uses UTC/ZULU time.
WHO issues TAFS?
National Weather Service Forecast Office
Our primary aviation responsibility at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Brownsville is to issue Terminal Aerodome Forecasts (TAFs). Routine TAFs are valid for a 24-hour period and issued four times daily: 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and 18Z, and are amended (updated) as conditions require.
Are Metars forecasts?
METAR, TAF or SPECI A METAR (METeorological Aerodrome Report) is an observation and provides information about the current weather. Sometimes a METAR also gives a short-term forecast.
How do you read aviation weather?
The first two digits are the date, the 16th of the month, and the last four digits are the time of the METAR, which is always given in coordinated universal time (UTC), otherwise known as Zulu time. A “Z” is appended to the end of the time to denote that the time is given in Zulu time (UTC) as opposed to local time.
How long is a TTF valid for?
TTFs are “mini-forecasts”, highly accurate and valid only for 3 hours from the time of the report to which they are attached. TTF’s will be attached to a METAR or a SPECI. Cloud heights given above aerodrome level. Wind in degrees true.
What does P6SM mean?
6 statute miles visibility
P6SM means plus 6 statute miles visibility, and 2SM means 2 statute miles visibility.
What time do TAFs come out?
TAFs are issued at least four times a day, every six hours, for major civil airfields: 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC, and generally apply to a 24- or 30-hour period, and an area within approximately five statute miles (8.0 km) (or 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) in Canada) from the center of an airport runway complex.
What is ‘aviation weather’?
AVIATION WEATHER is published jointly by the FAA Flight Standards Service and the National Weather Service (NWS). The publication began in 1943 as CAA Bulletin No. 25, “Meteorology for Pilots,” which at the time contained weather knowledge considered essential for most pilots. But as aircraft flew farther, faster,
What is aviation meteorology?
Aviation meteorology (MET) deals with the impact of weather on Air Traffic Management (ATM). It is important for air crews to understand the implications of weather on their flight plan as well as their aircraft.
What is terminal area forecast?
Terminal area forecast ( TAF) The Terminal Area Forecasts ( TAF) are prepared to meet the budget and planning needs of the FAA and provide information for use by state and local authorities, the aviation industry, and the public.
What is the abbreviation for terminal area forecast?
The Terminal Area Forecast ( TAF) is the official FAA forecast of aviation activity for U.S. airports. It contains active airports in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems ( NPIAS) including FAA-towered airports, Federal contract-towered airports, non-federal towered airports, and non-towered airports.