The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast is the best source for arrival weather information.

What is the most appropriate source to obtain weather information at your arrival time?

• A. Aerodrome Weather Report (METAR)
• B. Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)
• C. Area Forecast (FA)
• D. Predicted Weather Analysis (PWA)

Answer: (B)

The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is designed specifically to provide weather information for airports and aerodromes for a specified period, typically covering 24 to 30 hours. It includes forecast details on wind, visibility, significant weather events, and cloud cover. Because TAFs are updated regularly and tailored to a specific location, they offer valuable insights for pilots regarding expected weather conditions during their arrival. In contrast, an Aerodrome Weather Report (METAR) provides current weather observations at a specific location, which is useful for understanding existing conditions but does not predict future weather. The Area Forecast (FA) gives broader meteorological information about larger regions and may not contain localized data required for arrival decisions. The Predicted Weather Analysis (PWA) offers a forecast analysis but can be less precise than TAFs for particular airports. Therefore, the TAF is the most appropriate choice for anticipating weather conditions at the time of arrival.

Outline (at a glance)

• Why arrival weather matters and what pilots actually rely on

• Quick guide to the four weather sources: METAR, TAF, FA, and PWA

• Why the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is the best bet for arrival time

• How to read and use a TAF in real life

• Tools you can trust and smart habits for checking weather

• A closing nudge to stay curious and practical

Landing on the right forecast: a practical guide to arrival weather

Let’s cut to the chase. When you’re about to land, you want weather information that’s timely, precise for your airport, and easy to act on. It’s not enough to know what conditions are right now; you need a forecast that tells you what to expect during the approach, the descent, and the moment you touch down. That’s where the right weather sources come in—because the wrong one can leave you with a cruel mismatch between what you prepared for and what you actually encounter.

What the four main weather sources are really for

• METAR: Think of this as a current snapshot. METARs report what the weather is doing at the moment at a specific airport right now. Wind, visibility, runway state, cloud cover, temperature and dew point, and altimeter. It’s tremendously useful for evaluating present conditions—like, “Is the arrival runway visibly shrouded in mist?”—but it doesn’t forecast what will happen in the next hour or the next several hours. It’s the weather at this minute, not the weather you’ll be dealing with during the approach.

• TAF: Now we’re talking about a forecast for the airport. The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast is designed to describe expected weather at the aerodrome for a set period, typically 24 to 30 hours. It includes forecast wind, visibility, significant weather events (think rain, snow, fog, thunderstorms), and cloud cover. Because TAFs are location-specific and updated regularly, they give pilots a reliable sense of what conditions are likely during arrival windows.

• FA: The Area Forecast is broader. It covers larger regions and offers a meteorological outlook and trends, rather than very localized details. It’s useful for understanding the bigger picture—how systems might move into a region or how fronts could affect multiple airports—but it won’t replace the airport-specific detail you need for a precise arrival.

• PWA: The Predicted Weather Analysis provides forecast-style analysis, but it can be less precise for a particular airport. It’s a helpful cross-check, especially when you’re trying to triangulate trends, yet it isn’t the go-to source for the specific forecast you’ll rely on during approach and landing.

Why TAF is the go-to for arrival time

Here’s the thing: arrival decisions hinge on what you’ll actually face when you’re near the runway. A METAR tells you what the air is doing at the stroke of an instant. But you need to know what it will do during your descent and final approach. That’s why the TAF shines in this moment.

• Location-specific forecast: A TAF is tailored to a single airport. It translates weather data into a forecast that reflects the unique airport environment—the exact runways in use, local microclimates, and typical patterns around the field.

• Time window you care about: Most TAFs cover a 24 to 30-hour window. That means you can see the sequence of expected changes—when wind shifts, when visibility might drop, and when cloud layers are likely to lift or lower. For arrival planning, that window is gold.

• Regular updates: TAFs are refreshed at set intervals (and sometimes when significant weather is expected to change). The forecast adapts as new weather data roll in, keeping you from being blindsided by a stale outlook.

• Specific weather elements included: The forecast typically contains wind direction and speed, wind shear potential, visibility, cloud cover and height, ceiling, and any significant weather like rain, snow, fog, or thunderstorms. For an approach, those details directly influence speed management, flight path adjustments, and touchdown planning.

In short, METAR is your current status, FA is your regional weather mood, PWA is a secondary forecast tool, but TAF is the one that answers the practical question: “What will I be facing when I arrive?”

Reading a TAF without getting tangled

If you’ve never read a TAF before, it can feel like decoding a coded message. But it’s really a straightforward forecast for a single aerodrome. Here’s a simple way to approach it:

• Locate the airport identifier and valid time: You’ll see something like “TAF AMD [airport code] 251500Z 2516/2618 18012G25KT” which means the forecast is valid from the 25th day at 1500Z until the 26th at 1800Z, with wind 180 at 12 gusting 25 knots. Time references can be tricky at first, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly.

• Break down the main elements: Wind, visibility, weather events, and cloud cover. You’ll usually see lines that break these out over time blocks (for example, 6-hour periods). Look for changes that could affect arrival timing, such as a shift in wind or a lowering of ceilings.

• Note the changes: TAFs often include amendments when conditions are expected to shift. If you see a “AMD” or a larger update, pay attention to what changed. That’s often the moment you tighten your arrival planning.

• Compare with METARs for context: A METAR from the same airport provides a snapshot of the current conditions. If the METAR shows low visibility and a TAF indicates improving visibility later in the window, you can plan for a later arrival or a different approach path.

A practical workflow you can adopt

• Step 1: Check the METAR for the current picture. If the weather is already poor, you may need to adjust arrival time or expect delays.

• Step 2: Open the TAF for the airport. Scan for wind shifts, visibility, and any mention of low ceilings or precipitation. Mark the time blocks where conditions look marginal.

• Step 3: Corroborate with FA if you want to understand broader trends that might affect your route or neighboring fields.

• Step 4: If you see ambiguity, check PWA or another forecast source as a secondary reference to confirm trends.

• Step 5: Cross-check with live weather apps or tools you trust (more on these soon). The idea isn’t to pin everything on one source, but to build a confident, multi-source picture.

Smart habits for weather planning at arrival

• Don’t rely on a single forecast. Weather is dynamic, and a three-source approach—TAF for the airport, METAR for current conditions, and FA for regional context—tends to give you a more reliable sense of what to expect.

• Keep an eye on update timings. If a TAF has just been issued or amended, that’s worth a quick mental re-check of your arrival plan.

• Consider alternate airports. If the TAF shows potential deterioration near your target time, a nearby field with a more favorable forecast can save you time and fuel.

• Watch for microbursts and wind shear. Some airports have documented wind pattern quirks near runways. The TAF will hint at wind direction and speed expectations, and METARs help you confirm the current picture.

• Use trusted tools and sources. Official meteorological centers publish the primary data; consumer apps can supplement with readability and graphical views. The best pilots use a mix of sources and interpret them through the lens of operational constraints like airspace, runway configuration, and performance of the aircraft.

Where to look and what to trust

• Official sources: The Aviation Weather Center (AWC) of NOAA and your national meteorological service publish METARs and TAFs. These are the gold standard for accuracy and updates.

• Flight planning platforms: Services like ForeFlight, SkyVector, and other aviation apps pull METARs and TAFs in a readable format, often with push alerts for amendments. They make it easier to spot changes when you’re en route or preparing for approach.

• Airport pages and NOTAMs: Sometimes, local airport pages will post notices that affect landing—temporary runway closures, taxiway changes, or special weather advisories. Not always critical for weather alone, but they can influence arrival planning.

What this means for your arrival decisions

If you’re choosing where to land and when, the TAF is your compass. It’s not just about whether it’s raining; it’s about whether you’ll have enough visibility, whether winds will stay within your approach tolerances, and whether the ceiling will allow a stable approach. The TAF’s forecast window gives you the foresight needed to pick a gate, a runway, or an alternate plan with less stress.

A quick word on terminology and sense-making

• Wind shifts: A sudden change in wind direction by 20 degrees or more isn’t rare near busy airports. It can alter approach paths and ground speed estimates. The TAF’s wind picture helps you anticipate these shifts.

• Visibility and ceilings: If the forecast calls for periods of lower visibility or broken ceilings, you’ll be primed to set up for a missed approach or to adjust your descent profiles.

• Significant weather: Pockets of rain, snow, or fog in the forecast can hit you differently depending on time of day and the airport’s microclimate. The TAF flags these events, so you’re not blindsided by a sudden weather dip.

• Timing is everything: The big payoff of the TAF is the look-ahead. You’ll know when conditions might improve or degrade enough to change your arrival plan.

Bringing it all together

Weather planning for arrival isn’t about guessing the future; it’s about reading the forecast intelligently and staying flexible. The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast stands out as the most useful source for anticipating what you’ll face when you actually get to the airport. METARs keep you grounded in reality, FA helps you sense the bigger weather story, and PWA serves as a supplementary check. With the right habits and trusted tools, you can navigate the skies with greater confidence and fewer surprises at the gate.

If you’re curious about how this all looks in day-to-day flight planning, take a moment to peek at an airport you fly into often. Open a METAR and a TAF side by side. Notice how the current weather lines up with the forecast. See where the forecast hints at change. That small exercise is where good decisions begin.

Final thought: weather literacy, really, is about staying curious and practically prepared. The sky isn’t in a fixed mood; it’s a living system that changes with the clock. By keeping your eyes on the TAF for arrival timing and using METARs to ground your decisions, you’ll approach each landing with clarity and calm.

If you want to explore more, look up the Aviation Weather Center’s resources, then pair those insights with your preferred flight planning tool. A little cross-checking goes a long way toward safer, smoother landings—and that’s a win for any pilot, any day.