What is the main distinction between a TAF and a METAR?

The primary distinction between a TAF and a METAR lies in their purpose, content, and the nature of the information they convey. A TAF, or Terminal Aerodrome Forecast, is issued to provide forecasted weather conditions at an airport over a specified time frame, usually up to 30 hours, offering valuable information about expected weather phenomena that impact air travel such as wind direction, visibility, precipitation, and significant weather changes.

On the other hand, a METAR, which stands for Meteorological Aerodrome Report, offers actual weather observations at a specific airport at regular intervals. These observations include parameters like temperature, wind speed and direction, visibility, and cloud cover, providing a real-time snapshot of the current weather conditions.

In summary, TAF is focused on predicting future weather conditions, whereas METAR provides a report of actual weather, making the assertion that TAF provides forecasts while METAR provides actual weather observations accurate and essential for understanding aviation weather reporting.