Terminal Aerodrome Forecast’s (TAF’s)

TAF’s are valid from 24-30 hours after issuance and are generally issued every 6 hours

The ceiling is the lowest layer of clouds that are defined as either broken or overcast, or with a vertical
visibility.

When the temperature equals due point the air is “Saturated” (ex. 14/14)

Figuring out millibar pressure (SLP) for sea level pressure

The reading is SLP088

You make 088 into 08.8

08.8 is closer to 9 than is 10, so put a 9 in front of the number.

The sea level pressure is equal to 908.8 Millibars.

KLAX 141353Z 03008KT 2SM -RA BR FEW002 BKN005 OVC007 14/14 A2979 RMK AO2
SLP088 VIS 1 1/4V2 1/2 VIS W-N 1 CIG 003V007 P0013 T01440139 $

CIG – ceiling

V alone – variable

METAR reading continued

FIRST LINE
(Different type of devices used in remarks A01 A02 A03)
Trends
 Time changes.
 Trend, visibility the same throughout all 4 hours
 Few Clouds to Broken skies at same elevation ( less moisture)
 Temperature increase throughout the day, dewpoint fluctuates between 16
and 17 every hour.
 Altimeter setting increases throughout the day. (pressure increase)
SECOND LINE
Notes
Three letter designators at the beginning are the airport (https://airportcod.es/#
(K means all the states except Alaska and Hawaii)
Next you have the day, time (24 hour time), and time zone
080 heading of wind (“coming from”)
008 speed of wind
10SM = visibility
BRK 033 = Broken clouds at altitude 3,300 ft
A3017 = Altimeter setting 3017 (30.17 in of mercury)

TAF UNDERNEATH METARS is the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast

The difference between a METAR and TAF

TAF is what the meteorologists THINK will happen. (FORECAST)
METARS’s already happened.
TAF is BIG PICTURE.

KMSP 071653Z 26006KT 1SM R30L/5000V5500FT -SN BR BKN022 OVC031 M09/M11

A2982 RMK AO2 SFC VIS 1 1/2 SLP112 P0002 T10941106

KMSP – Minianopolis St. Paul

071653Z – 07 date, 1653 z time and time zone
26006KT – 260 wind direction (where its coming from), 06 knots
1SM – 1 statute mile of visibility
R30L/5000V5500FT – Runway 30Left , visibility down the runway 5000-5500 ft
-SN – Light snow
BR – mist
BKN022 – broken skies at 2,200 ft
OVC031 – overcast at 3,100 ft
M09/M11 - -9 degrees celcius, -11 dewpoint
A2982 – Altimeter setting 29.82 in hg
RMK -Remark
A02 – Station device used
SFC VIS 1-1/2 – surface visibility 1-1/2 statute miles
SLP 112 – sea level pressure (use either 9 or 10)

NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE

 If the statute mile visibility is below 3 or the broken/overcast is below 1000,
then the field is IMC
 KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IFR AND VFR
 If the temperature and dewpoint are within 4-5 degrees, then there is a
high chance for moisture in the air.
(2992 standard pressure)