New TAF format coming online 05NOV08

1
New TAF format coming online 05NOV08
TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast)
FTXX90 KWBC 131130 TAF KABC 131128Z 1312/1418
14005KT P6SM SCT025 OVC040 FM131600 13015G23KT
P6SM OVC015 FM132100 13015G22KT P6SM OVC008
TEMPO 1321/1401 1SM -SN FM140100 09015KT 3SM BR
OVC006 TEMPO 1401/1405 2SM -SN BLSN
FM141500 01015KT 5SM BR OVC006

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Implementation of the 30 Hour TAF

• - In response to requests by long haul operations
  for better service, the International Civilian
  Aviation Organization (ICAO) made provisions for
  a 30-hour Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) in
  Annex 3 for the Meteorological Service for
  International Air Navigation, Amendment 74.
• This code change, which takes place in November
  2008, will affect all TAFs.
• This longer TAF influences TAF codes used
  worldwide. More specifically, each change group
  in a TAF will now have a date. This change also
  applies to states not providing 30-hour TAFs.
• Meteorological providers/vendors and users
  should begin to address whether software will
  work with the new TAF code, and what publications
  and training will need to be revised to make sure
  users are prepared.

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Implementation of the 30 Hour TAF

• The TAF format will change worldwide 05Nov08 for
  all TAFs...
• The new TAF format will include a date/time
  group in every line of the TAF (currently the
  date/time is only in the first line)
• The change is needed since a subset of all TAFs
  worldwide will be extended to 30 hours for
  long-haul carriers
• The US will be extending 32 TAF locations from
  the current 24 hour TAFs to 30 hours
• Users/software vendors can test their systems
  by obtaining sample TAFs from...http//www.weather
  .gov/os/aviation/taf_testbed.shtml Main Points
  to Consider    1) All TAFs will have to conform
  to the new Date Time Standard
•    2) Decoding software will likely need to be
  changed    3) Training publications will need to
  be changed

4
New TAF format coming online 05NOV08
TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast)
FTXX90 KWBC 131130 TAF KABC 131128Z 1312/1418
14005KT P6SM SCT025 OVC040 FM131600 13015G23KT
P6SM OVC015 FM132100 13015G22KT P6SM OVC008
TEMPO 1321/1401 1SM -SN FM140100 09015KT 3SM BR
OVC006 TEMPO 1401/1405 2SM -SN BLSN
FM141500 01015KT 5SM BR OVC006

5
New TAF format coming online 05NOV08
TAF (OLD FORMAT)
FTXX90 KWBC 131130 TAF KABC 131128Z 131212
14005KT P6SM SCT025

TAF (NEW FORMAT)
FTXX90 KWBC 131130 TAF KABC 131128Z 1312/1418
14005KT P6SM SCT025
6
New TAF format coming online 05NOV08
TAF (OLD FORMAT)
TAF KABC 131128Z 13121214005KT P6SM SCT025
OVC040 FM2100 13015G22KT P6SM OVC008 TEMPO
2101 1SM -SN FM0100 09015KT 3SM BR OVC006

TAF (NEW FORMAT)
TAF KABC 131128Z 1312/1418 14005KT P6SM SCT025
OVC040 FM132100 13015G22KT P6SM OVC008
TEMPO 1321/1401 1SM -SN FM140100 09015KT 3SM BR
OVC006
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New 30 Hour US stations

• KMSP Minneapolis-St Paul Intl
• KOAK Oakland Intl
• KONT Ontario Intl
• KORD Chicago-OHare Intl
• KPHL Philadelphia Intl
• KPIT Pittsburgh Intl
• KSAN San Diego Intl
• KSDF Louisville Intl
• KSEA Seattle-Tacoma Intl
• KSFO San Francisco Intl
• KSLC Salt Lake City Intl
• KSTL Lambert-St Louis Intl
• KSWF Stewart Intl
• PANC Anchorage Intl
• PHNL Honolulu Intl
• PAFA Fairbanks Intl

• KATL Atlanta Intl
• KBDL Bradley Intl
• KBOS Logan Intl
• KBWI Baltimore-Washington Intl
• KCLE Cleveland Hopkins Intl
• KCVG Covington/Cincinnati
• KDEN Denver Intl
• KDFW Dallas/Fort Worth Intl
• KDTW Detroit
• KEWR Newark Liberty Intl
• KIAD Washington Dulles Intl
• KIAH Houston George Bush Intl
• KIND Indianapolis Intl
• KJFK John F. Kennedy Intl
• KLAX Los Angeles Intl
• KMKE General Mitchell Intl

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Implementation of the 30 Hour TAF
Users/software vendors can test their systems by
obtaining sample TAFs from - http//www.weather.g
ov/os/aviation/taf_testbed.shtml Main Points to
Consider    1) All TAFs will have to conform to
the new Date Time Standardthough some states
will be late, so decoders need to be able to use
both formats    2) Decoding software will likely
need to be changed    3) Training publications
will need to be changed Questions? Mike Graf -
Aviation Services Branch 301-713-1726 x 117
michael.graf_at_noaa.gov