TAF and METAR

The METAR encodes the current meteo on a station (for example an airport). The TAF encodes a prevision of this same meteo.

METAR and TAF content

METAR	TAF	Parameter	METAR example	Decoded METAR	TAF example	Decoded TAF
X	X	GMT time	171100Z	Published at 11 h on the 17th of the month	171100Z	Published at 11 h on the 17th of the month
X	-	Created automatically	AUTO	Created automatically	-	-
X	X	Wind speed	27010G25KT	Wind 270 degrees force 10 knots, maximum force 25 knots	27010G25KT	Wind 270 degrees force 10 knots, maximum force 25 knots
X	X	Wind direction	27010G25KT	Wind 270 degrees force 10 knots, maximum force 25 knots	27010G25KT	Wind 270 degrees force 10 knots, maximum force 25 knots
X	X	Clouds	OVC	Overcast	OVC	Overcast
X	X	Atmospheric temperature	17/15	Temperature 17 degrees, dew point 15 degrees	TX10/2612Z TNM01/2706Z	Maximum temperature 10 degrees at 12 h on the 26th day of the month, minimum temperature -1 degree at 6 h on the 27th day of the month
X	-	Dew point	27010G25KT	Wind 270 degrees force 10 knots, maximum force 25 knots	-	-
X	X	Visibility	4000	4000 meters	4000	4000 meters
X	-	Relative humidity[1] Computed with the temperature and dew point	17/15	Temperature 17 degrees, dew point 15 degrees	-	-
X	X	Sea level pressure	Q1015	QNH 1015 Hpa	Q1015	QNH 1015 Hpa
X	X	Wind shear	WS RW36	Wind shear on runway 36	WS010/18040KT	Low level wind shear at 1000 feet wind 180 degrees at 40 knots
X	X	Meteorological phenomenons	TS	thunderstorm	TS	thunderstorm
-	X	Validity period	-	-	1712/1812	Valid from 12 h on the 17th of month to 12 h on 18th of month