What is the primary purpose of TAFs in aviation?

The primary purpose of Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) is to provide weather forecasts specifically designed for use in pre-flight planning and in-flight decision-making. TAFs offer pilots and airlines critical information about expected weather conditions at or near an airport over a 24 to 30-hour period. This includes forecasts for phenomena such as wind direction and speed, visibility, precipitation, and significant weather changes.

Unlike current METAR reports that assess and report on current weather conditions, TAFs look ahead to what can be expected during the time of a flight. This forward-looking aspect is crucial for making informed decisions regarding flight safety, route adjustments, and fuel management, thereby ensuring optimal operational planning for pilots and airlines. TAFs do not report on past weather events, therefore they cannot be used for assessing conditions that have already occurred, nor are they directly aimed at determining air traffic control measures, which are based on a variety of different factors including traffic and operational considerations at the airport.