How does a TAF differ from a METAR report?

A TAF, or Terminal Aerodrome Forecast, primarily serves to provide forecasts for a specified location, typically an airport, over a certain period, usually up to 30 hours. This forecast includes anticipated weather conditions such as wind, visibility, and significant weather phenomena. In contrast, a METAR report offers actual weather observations at a particular time, which include current temperature, dew point, wind direction and speed, visibility, and other pertinent meteorological data.

The distinction is crucial for their respective uses; pilots and air traffic controllers rely on TAFs for planning flights and managing operations based on expected weather conditions, whereas METARs are vital for understanding the current weather situation at the point of operation. This ongoing handoff between forecasts and actual observations enhances situational awareness in aviation.