News release

31 July 2006

Met Office forecasts for major UK airfields are to be extended to cover a 24-hour period with effect from 1 August 2006.

Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) are issued by the Met Office under the authority of the UK Civil Aviation Authority and International Civil Aviation Organization to provide detailed forecast data for individual airports.

Currently these cover an 18-hour period for the busiest UK airports, but in response to the increased number of longer non-stop flights a 24-hour forecast will come into operation. This will help airlines to plan more efficiently for their long-haul flights and bring the UK into line with the US and other countries, who already issue 24-hour TAFs.

Notes:
The first issue of 24-hour period TAFs will be issued at 1030 GMT (1130 BST) on 1 August 2006.

Weather services for aviation