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TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) is the name of the code for an aerodrome forecast.

Code Code group

Meaning Examples
group specifications

TAF Message indicator Message name TAF

Indicates that the message has been corrected due to some

COR Optional group TAF COR
formal mistakes.

Indicates that the message has been amended due to some

AMD Optional group TAF AMD
substantive modifications.

042030Z
The first two numbers indicate the day of a month (26- twenty
Date and time of 140100Z
260500Z sixth day), next four numbers indicate the formal time of
observation 302330Z
observation (0500-five zero), letter Z stands for UTC.
310000Z

Message day and First two numbers indicate the day of a month (26 and 27), next 0206/0306
2606/2706
validity period two numbers indicate validity hours. 0206/0215

First three numbers indicate the mean wind direction from true
north (360°). In the case of variable wind direction numerical
values shall be encoded as VRB when the mean wind speed is VRB02KT
Information on
less than 3KT unless a thunderstorm passes over the aerodrome. VRB08G25KT
07005KT surface wind
Two next numbers indicate the mean wind speed (05 knots). In the 13023KT
direction and speed
case of wind gusts after letter G a maximum wind gust shall be 27013G30KT
reported (G20 stands for a wind gust speed of 20 knots). KT
stands for "knots".

0350
Visibility value is given in metres (for example 5000 meters).
5000 Visibility 5000
Number 9999 indicates the visibility of 10 km or more.
9999

TAF message reports only of moderate and heavy weather

phenomena. Weather phenomena of a weaker intensity is reported
only then when visibility is less than 5000 metres. The reason of
The type and visibility limitation shall be given. The following symbols shall be +TSRA
SHRA intensity of weather used: when weak intensity of a phenomenon is observed "-", when FZ FG
phenomena heavy "+". No symbol is applied when moderate phenomenon is -SN BR
observed. Up to three groups reporting phenomena shall be given.
To indicate the end of weather phenomena, in a message that is
still valid, the abbreviation WX NIL shall apply.

Cloud amount shall be given with English code words- FEW, SCT,
Cloud amount and BKN, OVC. The height of the cloud base shall be given in numbers FEW010
BKN015
cloud height and reported in steps of 100 ft (001 stands for 100 ft that is 30 m). BKN025CB
No types of clouds are given, except for CB.

NSC code is used when:

- the cloud base is not lower than 1500 m (EPKK 1660)
- no CB clouds are expected
NSC Nil significant clouds NSC
- no vertical visibility limitation is expected
- visibility limitation is expected
- and/or significant weather phenomena are expected

Used when it is expected that the following conditions will apply

simultaneously:
- visibility 10 km or more
Stands for Ceiling
CAVOK - no cloud below 1500 metres (for EPKK it is 1660) or below the CAVOK
And Visibility OK
highest minimum sector altitude, whichever is greater, and no
Cumulonimbus
- no significant weather phenomena

This group shall be used to determine the way and time of

occurrence of weather conditions different that these reported in
message core part. The following abbreviations are applied: BECMG
Changes to one or
BECMG – the change of one weather type to other when the time 0212/0214 9999
BECMG more of the elements
period of the change should normally be less than 2 hours and in NSW
of the forecast
any case should not exceed 4 hours; includes information on the TEMPO
changes of weather forecast elements, in case of clouds change it 0212/0221 3000
includes all forecasted clouds groups SHSN

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FM - indicates a significant change of the weather forecast BKN020CB

elements occurring at a given time FM021230 0600
TEMPO - indicates temporary fluctuations of weather forecast FG
elements which last less than half of the time period

Used in order to indicate the probability of occurrence of

PROB30 TEMPO
Information on the alternative values of forecast elements, during a defined period of
0212/0221 5000
probability of time. It is combined with the group TEMPO or only with the group
TSRA BKNO20
PROB30 occurrence of that determines the time of occurrence. Only the values 30 and 40
PROB40
alternative values of shall be used. Phenomena which rate of probability is higher than
0203/0206 0500
forecast elements 40% is recognized as evident. Phenomena which rate of
FG OVC002
probability is lower than 30% is not reported.

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