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1.3 Purpose of a TAF

The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is the official weather forecast used by many different groups of people who make up the aviation user community.

The primary purpose of the TAF is to provide critical weather information to key decision makers for flight planning and aircraft movement with the National Airspace System (NAS).

The aviation user community includes: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airline flight dispatchers, pilots (commercial and private), airline personnel (domestic and international), local airport administration, and the military. an airport control tower

TAFs are prepared for over 600 sites across the United States and its territories. The sites include:

  • FAA towered airports
  • Federally contracted towered airports
  • Nonfederal towered airports
  • Non-towered airports