TAFS vs METAR

[MrCarbon]

Somebody please explain difference between TAF and METAR.

I know METAR is current conditions and valid for 24 hours.

Is a TAF a forecast only and not current conditions ? Or does the first line include current conditions and then the following lines are the forecasted conditions?

 

[sar104]

METARs are specific airport weather observations, generally automated. TAFs are manually generated regional forecasts. All the entries are forecasts, not observations. Same format though.

 

[MrCarbon]

Thanks!

 

[Pharm]

Terminal Aerodrome FORECAST. Yes, it's a forecast and not current conditions.

 

[THA]

Somebody please explain difference between TAF and METAR.

I know METAR is current conditions and valid for 24 hours.

Is a TAF a forecast only and not current conditions ? Or does the first line include current conditions and then the following lines are the forecasted conditions?

TAF;s only apply to a very limited area around an airport (station). say 5 miles as a forecast for a period of time, present to 24 hours.

METAR is actual conditions at that time for a specific station and are updated hourly

 

[sar104]

TAF;s only apply to a very limited area around an airport.

So do METARs.

 

[THA]

TAF consists of the expected meteorological conditions significant to aviation at an airport for a specified time period. For the U.S., this is the area within five (5) statute miles (SM) of the center of an airport's runway complex

 

[THA]

So do METARs.

True, should have added that
METARS are current conditions whereas TAF is forcast

 

[MrCarbon]

TAF consists of the expected meteorological conditions significant to aviation at an airport for a specified time period. For the U.S., this is the area within five (5) statute miles (SM) of the center of an airport's runway complex

I have heard 3 different distances. Remotepilot101 video says 6 SM, remotepilot 101 support said 4 SM and now you say 5 SM...which one is it lol.

 

[THA]

I have heard 3 different distances. Remotepilot101 video says 6 SM, remotepilot 101 support said 4 SM and now you say 5 SM...which one is it lol.

What I cut and pasted was from an FAA website

 

[MrCarbon]

What I cut and pasted was from an FAA website

thanks!

 

[THA]

thanks!

Remember:
Terminal Area Forcast is a forcast and covers only the immediate area of the reporting station 5 miles. good for a 24 hour period
METAR Meteorological Terminal Air Report (METAR) is a hourly report of what is happening at that time and covers the actual reporting station.