Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
A weather forecast specific to an airport, predicting conditions over the next 24-30 hours.
What is TAF?
A Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is an aviation weather forecast for the immediate area around an airport. TAFs predict wind, visibility, cloud cover, and precipitation for the next 24-30 hours, helping airlines and ATC anticipate when conditions might require traffic management programs. TAFs are updated every 6 hours and amended when forecasts change significantly. Poor TAF forecasts often trigger preemptive Ground Delay Programs.
Common Causes
Impact & Duration
Impact Level
N/A - Weather forecast format, not a delay type
Typical Duration
N/A - Forecasts cover 24-30 hour periods
Frequently Asked Questions
How do TAFs differ from METARs?
METARs report current conditions; TAFs forecast future conditions. Airlines use both - METARs for immediate decisions and TAFs for planning flights departing in the coming hours.
Why would a TAF trigger delays before bad weather arrives?
If a TAF predicts thunderstorms at 3 PM, the FAA may implement a Ground Delay Program starting at noon to prevent aircraft from arriving when conditions deteriorate. This proactive approach prevents airborne holding.
Related Terms
Ground Delay Program
An FAA traffic management program that assigns specific departure times to flights heading to a congested airport.
Weather Impact Levels
FAA classifications indicating how weather conditions are affecting airport operations.
METAR Weather Report
A standardized aviation weather observation report providing current conditions at an airport.
Check for Active Delays
See if any airports currently have this type of delay active.
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