What is typically the forecast period covered by a TAF?

The forecast period covered by a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is typically 6 to 30 hours, with most TAFs being issued for a 24-hour period. This timeframe is designed to provide pilots and air traffic controllers with critical weather information that can affect flight planning and operations in the vicinity of an airport. TAFs include expected wind, visibility, and significant weather changes within that timeframe to help ensure safe flying conditions.

The duration of 6 to 30 hours allows forecasters to predict short-term weather phenomena that may impact aviation, while longer periods could lead to uncertainty and less reliability due to the inherently unpredictable nature of weather patterns. In practice, TAFs are generally updated every six hours to provide the latest assessments and to account for rapid changes that might occur. The focus on this specific time window reinforces its importance in aviation safety and operational efficiency.