How is significant weather, such as thunderstorms, represented in a TAF?

In a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF), significant weather phenomena such as thunderstorms are represented through plain text descriptions. This method provides pilots and meteorologists with clear and unambiguous information regarding expected weather conditions at an airport over a specified period. Descriptive terms, for instance, will explicitly mention "TS" for thunderstorms or "RA" for rain, providing essential details that are easy to understand.

Using plain text allows for more versatility and clarity compared to coded letters or graphical icons, which may not convey the same level of detail. While coded letters might serve to represent certain weather phenomena, they can be less intuitive for reading than straightforward descriptions. Graphical icons are typically used in other contexts, such as weather apps or briefings, but they do not form part of the standardized TAF format. Since significant weather is crucial for flight safety, it must be clearly articulated in a way that all users can easily interpret.