What is the primary purpose of a TAF?

The primary purpose of a TAF, or Terminal Aerodrome Forecast, is to provide a forecast of expected weather conditions specifically at an airport or aerodrome. TAFs are vital for pilots and air traffic controllers as they offer insights into upcoming weather phenomena, such as winds, visibility, and significant weather changes, typically covering a period of 24 or 30 hours.

Unlike other meteorological reports, TAFs focus on predicting the conditions that will affect flight operations within a close geographical area—namely, airports. They are generated at regular intervals and tailored to serve the needs of aviation, emphasizing safe operations and navigation rather than broader meteorological observations or storm tracking.

In contrast, the other options relate to more general or different types of meteorological information. For instance, providing detailed meteorological data for all flights encompasses a broader range of information than what TAFs specifically offer. Reporting live weather observations deals with current conditions rather than forecasts. Predicting storm systems across the country implies a larger scale and is more appropriate for different types of meteorological forecasts rather than the focused application of TAFs at specific airports.