Operational Meterology

Question 1

What is a TAF, METAR, and ARFOR?

Answer 1

TAF
1. TAF indicates a forecast within 5 miles of the aerodrome
2. Winds are in degrees true
3. QNH and TEMP are in 3 hour intervals from the start of the forecast
Forecast must be valid 30 before and 60 after Eta/Etd
4. A TTF supersedes a TAF
5. CAVOK = Visibility greater than 10km, no cloud below 5000ft with no significant weather

METAR

1. Winds are in degrees true
2. Cloud base is AGL
3. Issued every 30 and 60 minutes
4. //// = no visibility available
5. // = no weather available
6. ////// = no cloud available
7. RF 00.0/000.0 indicates rain fall last 10min / rainfall since 9am local
8. NOSIG indicates no significant change

ARFOR

1. Winds are in degrees true
2. Cloud base is AMSL
3. Valid up to FL200