Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)

Amendment Criteria

100

_{Five types of meteorological events that would require the issuance of an amended TAF.}

Visibility, Ceiling, Thunderstorms, Precipitation, Surface Winds, Non-Convective LLWS, and Minimum Altimeter.

200

_{Non-Convective Low Level Wind Shear require an amendment due two reasons.}  

Non-Convective Low Level Wind Shear is not predicted but is occurring or predicted but not occurring.

300

When the ceiling is not predicted, but is observed, or is later forecast to increase to equal, or exceed, or to decrease to less than, these specific heights. 

3,000 feet, 1,00 feet, and 200 feet. 

400

A TAF must be amended when visibility is not predicted but is later observed or forecast to increase to, or decrease to less than, these specific distances. 

3 miles (4800 meters), 1 mile (1600 meters) and, 1/2 mile (0800 meters). 

500

_{Surface winds require an amendment when these changes are not predicted.}  

Sustained wind speed change of 10 knots or more, Directional change of 30 degrees or more when the speed or gusts >15 knots, and Wind speed or direction change that forces a change in the active runway.

TAF Considerations

100

_{Disseminate TAFs every _ hours valid for a _ hour period.}

Disseminate TAFs every 6 hours valid for a 24-hour period.

200

_{Three data sources that can be used to assist with the dissemination of a TAF.}

_{FNMOC, AFWA, NOAA (NWS), NCEP, AWC, SPC, Navy Marine Corps Aviation Hubs, and ETC.}

300

A weather element within 5 nautical miles of the control tower is considered "_", while at 5 to 10 nautical miles from the control tower it is considered "_".

A weather element within 5 nautical miles of the control tower is considered "on station", while a weather element from 5 to 10 nautical miles from the control tower is considered "in the vicinity".

400

_{A TAF should predict changes to weather events within the span of an __.}

A TAF should predict changes to weather events within the span of an hour.

500

_{T/F - National Weather Service Probability of Precipitation is directly translated to the air station.}

False- NWS POP does NOT directly translate to the air station. (NWS POP for CWA = C x A) C = confidence    A = aerial coverage

TAF Code

100

_{T/F - Thunderstorm (TS) is the only descriptor that doesn’t require precipitation.}

True.

200

_{What do AMD/COR/RTD indicate?}

AMD indicates the TAF is an amendment to an earlier TAF. COR indicates a correction was made to an earlier TAF. RTD is included when the TAF is transmitted later than its scheduled time

300

_{T/F - LLWS should always be included in a BECMG or TEMPO group.}

False. LLWS shall NOT be included in a BECMG or TEMPO group.

400

_{BR, FG, and MIFG are associated with fog what do these indicate?}

BR is used if visibility 1000 meters or more, FG if visibility <1000 meters, MIFG is shallow fog and does not restrict visibility

500

^{Layers from the surface to __ feet are considered surface based and are encoded as 000 (e.g. BKN000)}

Layers from the surface to 50 feet are considered surface based and are encoded as 000 (e.g. BKN000)

TAF Decoding

100

What does "SPECI" indicate?

SPECI – Special Report

200

What does the Modifier "TCU" indicate?

 Towering Cumulus

300

KHSA 191730Z 1918/2018 16010KT P6SM SCT040
TEMPO 1919/1923 VRB20G30KT 1SM +TSRA BKN020CB
FM040000 14005KT P6SM SKC  

^{The forecast for Stennis was issued at 17:30Z and is valid from 18:00Z today until 18:00Z tomorrow. Prevailing conditions will be wind from 160 degrees at 10 knots, visibility greater than 6 miles, and scattered clouds at 4,000 feet. emporarily, between 19:00Z and 23:00Z today, there is a chance of heavy thunderstorms with rain. During this time, the wind will be variable at 20 knots gusting to 30, visibility will drop to 1 statute mile, and the ceiling will be broken at 2,000 feet with cumulonimbus clouds.From 00:00Z tonight, the weather will change and become clear. The wind will settle to 140 degrees at 5 knots, visibility will be greater than 6 miles, and the sky will be clear.}

400

What does the weather Identifier "PO" indicate?

Well-Developed Dust/Sand Whirls

500

_{What do 'A01' and 'A02' signify in an automated observation report?}

A01 – Automated Observation without precipitation discrimination
A02 – Automated Observation with precipitation discrimination