A TAF or Terminal Area Forecast is a "forecaster's best judgment of the most probable weather conditions expected to occur at an aerodrome together with their most probable time of occurrence." In other words, it isn't every possible weather element. Under normal circumstances, TAFs are issued at least 20 minutes prior to the beginning of their period of coverage. For example, if a TAF covers a period from 1100 to 2300Z, it is normally issued by 1040Z. The following is a regular TAF for Saskatoon:
TAF CYXE 291045Z 291111 24010G25KT WS011/27050KT 3SM -SN BKN010 OVC040 TEMPO 1801 11/2SM -SN BLSN BKN008 PROB30 2022 1/2SM SN VV005
FM0130Z 28010KT 5SM -SN BKN020 BECMG 0608 00000KT P6SM SKC RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS NXT FCST BY 17Z
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TAF | Message type indicator. The aerodrome forecast is in TAF code |
| CYXE | The international four-letter aerodrome designator. CYXE is the aerodrome designator for Saskatoon J.G. Diefenbaker's Airport |
| 291045Z | The TAF was issued on the 29 of the month at 1045 UTC |
| 291111 | The TAF is valid from 1100 UTC on the 29th of the month until 1100 UTC the following day |
| 24010G25KT | The wind is forecast to blow from 240 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 25 |
| WS011/27050KT | Wind-shear in the layer between the surface and 1100 feet and the wind at 1100 feet is from 270 degrees at 50 knots |
| 3SM | The visibility is 3 statute miles |
| -SN | Light snow |
| BKN010 OVC040 | This is a broken ceiling at 1000 feet with an overcast layer at 4000 feet |
| TEMPO 1801 | Temporary fluctuation between 1800 and 0100 UTC of the following elements |
| 11/2SM | Visibility 1 ½ statute miles |
| -SM BLSN | Light snow and blowing snow |
| BKN008 | Broken ceiling at 8oo feet |
| PROB30 2022 | There is a possibility between 2000 and 2200 UTC of the following |
| 1/2SM | Visibility ½ statute mile |
| SN | Moderate snow |
| VVOO5 | Vertical visibility 500 feet |
| FM0130Z | From 0130 UTC |
| 28010KT | Wind from 280 degrees at 10 knots |
| 5SM | Visibility 5 statute miles |
| -SN | Light snow |
| BKN020 | Broken ceiling at 2000 feet |
| BECMG 0608 | Becoming between 06 and 08 UTC |
| 00000KT | Wind calm |
| P6SM | Visibility greater than 6 statute miles |
| SKC | Sky clear |
| RMK | Remarks |
| FCST BASED ON OUTO OBS | The weather observations available to the forecaster in the preparation of the TAF were from an automated weather station |
| NXT FCST BY 17Z | Next regular forecast is scheduled to be issued by 1700 UTC |