How often are TAFs issued?

TAFs, or Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts, are generally issued every six hours. This is a standard practice that ensures that pilots and aviation personnel have updated weather information for airport areas, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding flight operations. The six-hour cycle typically aligns with the operational needs of the aviation industry, providing weather predictions that cover a reasonable timeframe for flight planning.

While it is true that TAFs can be updated more frequently if conditions warrant, such as in rapidly changing weather situations, the routine issuance schedule is set to every six hours. This cadence balances the need for timely information while not overwhelming users with excessive updates that may not significantly change the forecast.

It's important to consider that TAFs are not issued hourly or every three hours as routine practice, nor are they exclusively issued daily. Daily forecasts are more typical for general weather rather than the specific TAF format, which is designed with the aviation context in mind.