How often is the TAF issued?

The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is issued every 4 hours as the standard practice. TAFs provide aviation weather forecasts for specific airports and include expected weather conditions within a 5 statute mile radius of the airport. Additionally, TAFs can be updated more frequently if significant changes in the weather are anticipated or if there is a need to extend the validity period beyond the regular issuance cycle.

This issuance schedule is important for pilots, especially for those flying in and out of busy terminals, as it allows them to plan their flights with updated weather information that can impact safety and operational efficiency. The 4-hour interval strikes a balance between providing timely updates and ensuring that forecasted information is reliable and actionable based on the forecast model outputs.