What does a TAF report primarily provide?

• A. Current weather conditions
• B. Forecasted weather conditions
• C. Historical weather data
• D. Immediate weather alerts

Answer: (B)

A TAF report, which stands for Terminal Aerodrome Forecast, primarily provides forecasted weather conditions for a specific airport or aerodrome. These forecasts are crucial for pilots and air traffic management, as they detail expected weather phenomena over a 24 to 30-hour period, including information on wind, visibility, precipitation, and significant weather changes. The TAF is designed to help flight operations plan for the anticipated weather conditions that may affect takeoff, landing, and in-flight performance.

Current weather conditions would be covered by METAR reports, which give a snapshot of weather conditions at a specific time, while historical weather data consists of past weather records and cannot aid in planning future flights. Immediate weather alerts would typically be handled by other types of notifications or warnings rather than a TAF report, which focuses on forecasts rather than immediate alerts. Thus, the TAF report is an essential tool for anticipating future weather scenarios rather than simply reporting on current or past conditions.