FAA-H-8083-28B, ch. 27

How to read a TAF

A TAF is the forecast for an airport, written in groups. Here is what each group means and how the valid period and change groups work.

Part 107, explained › Weather · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.

How do you read a TAF?

A TAF starts with the report type (TAF, TAF AMD or TAF COR), the airport identifier, the issue time and a valid period such as 0900/0924. Wind, visibility, weather and sky groups follow for the first period. FM, TEMPO and PROB groups then mark the expected changes. Times are UTC (Z).

The valid period reads day and hour for the start, then day and hour for the end: 1512/1612 is valid from the 15th at 1200 UTC until the 16th at 1200 UTC. Scheduled 24- and 30-hour TAFs are issued four times a day, at 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800Z. An end at midnight UTC is written 24, so 0900/0924 runs from 0000 UTC to the end of the 9th.

Wind is written like a METAR (28020G35KT), visibility is in statute miles ending in SM, and cloud heights are in hundreds of feet AGL. The forecast ceiling is the lowest level where cloud cover reaches 5/8 or more, so VV008, BKN008 and OVC008 all mean an 800-foot ceiling. The only cloud type a TAF ever names is CB (cumulonimbus).

Change groups subdivide the forecast period. FM030230 means the forecast conditions change from the 3rd at 0230 UTC, and a TEMPO or PROB group covers temporary or probable fluctuations. A TAF AMD is an amended forecast that supersedes the earlier TAF. A TAF is a forecast, so compare it with the current METAR before you fly.

Sources: FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 407 · FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 408 · FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 409 · FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 415 · FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 416 · FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 417

What the FAA says

FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 407

TAFs are issued by NWS WFOs for nearly 700 U.S. airports. The majority of TAFs provide a 24-hour forecast for the airport, while TAFs for some major airports provide a 30-hour forecast.

FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 409

Scheduled 24- and 30-hour TAFs are issued four times per day, at 0000, 0600, 1200, and 1800Z.

FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 415

The only cloud type included in the TAF is CB.

FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 416

Forecast change indicator groups are contractions that are used to subdivide the forecast period (24 hours for scheduled TAFs; less for amended or delayed forecasts) according to significant changes in the weather.

Sources: FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 407 · FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 409 · FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 415 · FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 416

Exam traps

  • The only cloud type a TAF names is CB (cumulonimbus), added when thunderstorms are forecast, so cloud types such as cumulus are not coded in it.
  • The valid period is day then hour for the start and day then hour for the end, and midnight UTC at the end is written 24.
  • Whenever a TAF AMD is issued it supersedes and cancels the previous TAF, so do not wait for its valid period to begin before using it.
  • The forecast ceiling is the lowest level where cloud cover equals 5/8 or more, so VV008, BKN008 and OVC008 all mean an 800-foot ceiling.

Quick quiz: 3 questions

Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions. Each answer shows its FAA source.

Question 1 of 3

The only cloud type forecast in TAF reports is

FAA testing supplement figure for quiz question 1
Tap the figure to open it full size.
  1. A scattered cumulus.
  2. B Cumulonimbus.
  3. C nimbostratus.
Show the answer
Answer: B. Cumulonimbus.

Rote memory item: Cumulonimbus (CB) clouds are reported in the TAF because they are dangerous.

FAA source: FAA-H-8083-28B ch. 27, 27.4.2.9.3 Cloud Type (CB)

Question 2 of 3

In the TAF from KOKC, the "FM (FROM) Group" is forecast for the hours from 1600Z to 2200Z with the wind from

FAA testing supplement figure for quiz question 2
Tap the figure to open it full size.
  1. A 180° at 10 knots, becoming 200° at 17 knots.
  2. B 180° at 10 knots.
  3. C 160° at 10 knots.
Show the answer
Answer: B. 180° at 10 knots.

As shown in the figure below, the FROM group starting at 1600Z on the 5th (FM051600) indicates wind from 180 degrees at 10 knots (18010KT). This changes to 200 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 20 knots, after 2200Z (BECMG 0522/0524).

FAA source: FAA-H-8083-28B ch. 27, 27.4.2.5 Wind Group

Question 3 of 3

What is the valid period for the TAF for KMEM?

FAA testing supplement figure for quiz question 3
Tap the figure to open it full size.
  1. A 1200Z to 1800Z.
  2. B 1200Z to 2400Z.
  3. C 1800Z to 2400Z.
Show the answer
Answer: C. 1800Z to 2400Z.

As shown in the figure below, the valid period is from the 12th at 1800Z (1218) to the 13th at 2400Z (1324).

FAA source: FAA-H-8083-25C ch. 13, TAF valid period

What does TAF AMD mean?

TAF AMD is an amended forecast. TAFs are amended whenever they become unrepresentative of existing or expected conditions, and an amended TAF supersedes and cancels the previous one.

Sources: FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 408 · FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 409

How long is a TAF valid?

The majority of TAFs provide a 24-hour forecast, and TAFs for some major airports provide a 30-hour forecast. The valid period is written in the TAF itself, for example 2306/2412.

Sources: FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 407 · FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 409

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