What is the difference between METAR and TAF?

• A. METAR is an observed weather report; TAF is a forecast of weather for a specified period.
• B. METAR is forecast; TAF is observed.
• C. METAR includes winds only; TAF includes visibility only.
• D. METAR and TAF are the same.

Answer: (A)

METAR vs TAF: METAR is an observed weather report from a surface station, describing current conditions at the airport at the moment of observation. It includes wind, visibility, weather phenomena, cloud cover and ceiling, temperature and dew point, and altimeter, and is issued regularly (usually hourly, with special METARs for significant changes). TAF is a forecast for the same aerodrome, covering a defined period (typically 24 hours, sometimes 30), and predicts future conditions such as wind, visibility, weather, and cloud ceilings, with timing for changes (BECMG, TEMPO, PROB groups). The important distinction is reporting what’s happening now versus predicting what will happen. So the correct explanation is that METAR is an observed weather report and TAF is a forecast for a specified period. The other choices mix up observation and forecast or imply they’re the same.