October 2008 |
| |
TAF transition process 4th/5th November 2008
As per previous notifications, changes to format, validity and issue times of Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) will occur overnight 4th/5th November 2008.
Civilian TAF Transition:
The change will be implemented for all TAFs with validity periods that start at 0000 UTC on 5 November 2008. This will mean that the last short TAF in the old format will be the '2207' (see note 1) issued at ~2100 UTC on the 4th. The last long TAF in the old format will be '0024' (see note 2) issued at ~1600 UTC on the 4th. The new 9, 24 and 30 hour TAFs will commence in the new format with the '0500/0509', '0500/0524' and '0500/0606' TAFs respectively issued at ~2300 UTC on the 4th.
Note1: For those airports that receive both short and long TAFs (EGLL, EGNM, etc) short TAFs will be cancelled at the time the new format long TAFs are issued to a) remove any ambiguity as to which TAF is in force, and b) assert that from that point on short TAFs will no longer be issued for UK airports where there is a 24 or 30 hour TAF.
Note2: The first 'new format' 24 and 30 hour TAFs ( '0500/0524' and '0500/0606)' will be issued at ~2300 UTC on the 4th and they will be issued as amendments (AMD) in order to overwrite the existing 'old format' TAFs.
Military TAF Transition:
The change will be implemented for all TAFs with validity periods that start at 0000 UTC on 5 November 2008. This will mean that the last short/long RAF TAFs in the old format will be the 2106 (short), 2103 (long 18 hour), and 2121 (long 24 hour) issued at 2000 UTC on the 4th. (note unlike the Civil community 18 hour and 24 hour TAFs for RAF Bases are updated every 3 hours, not every 6).
|
| |
September 2008 |
| |
Ballooning
Following consultation with users the ballooning text forecast will be updated to be issued at the following times:
| Text forecast validity and issue times |
| |
Validity period |
Issued |
| April |
0600-0900 (with outlook 18-21 local)
1700-2000 (with outlook 06-09 local) |
2130 local
|
May – August
Summer forecast |
0600-0900 (with Outlook 18-21 local)
1800-2100 (with Outlook 06-09 local) |
2130 local
1030 local |
| September |
0600-0900 (with Outlook 18-21 local)
1700-2000 (with Outlook 06-09 local) |
2130 local
1030 local |
| October |
0700-1000 (with Outlook 18-21 local)
1600 -1900 (with Outlook 06-09 local) |
2130 local
1030 local |
November – March
Winter forecast |
Dawn – Midday (with Outlook 18-21 local)
Midday – Dusk (with Outlook 06-09 local) |
2130 local
1030 local |
The winter forecast (November to March) will change when the clocks change from British Summer Time (BST) to GMT.
In 2008 BST runs from 30 March and 26 October.
Changes to TAF format
In advance of changes to TAF format, issue and validity times on 5 November 2008, minor modifications will be made to the way TAFs are presented on the TAFs and METAR Bulletins page.
Prior to 24 September 2008, the selections will allow the user to select only Long TAFs for the UK and Europe Region, and only Short TAFs for Europe and the defined UK regions.
From 24 September 2008, selecting TAFs will display both Short TAFs, and Long TAFs (if produced).
From 5 November 2008, when airports will only have a Short or a Long TAF issued, then only the latest issue TAF will be displayed.
There will be no change to the 'Global TAF and METAR Search' functionality. |
| |
August 2008 |
| |
The 2009 version of GetMet is now available
Produced in association with the CAA, this free booklet provides essential information on where to get your met. data to safely enjoy low-level flying, both in the UK and near Europe.
Download or request a copy
|
May 2008 |
| |
New ballooning wind and temperature service
From the 1 May 2008, a new ballooning service detailing low-level wind and temperature will be available as part of the aviation briefing service. This free service, agreed with the CAA, will show 59 UK sites showing 500 ft, 1000 ft and 2000 ft winds and temperature to help you make decisions on weather conditions.
When the service is available, the 2000 ft wind, as given in the ballooning text forecasts, will be withdrawn (by agreement with CAA and ballooning organisations). |
| |
April 2008 |
| |
Notification of changes to TAFs and METARs as of 0001 UTC on 5 Nov 2008
There are several changes due to take place from 0001 UTC on 5 November 2008, the most significant of which will be to the TAF code.
These changes are mandated by ICAO and CAA instructions. The Met Office will comply with the change in practice. The Met Office will not be providing TAFs in the current format beyond 0001 UTC on 5 November 2008 since:
- there is no provision within ICAO or CAA instructions for providing such data in multiple formats
- systems and users may be confused by receiving two TAFs for the same time for the same airport in different formats, and
- this will cause a doubling of TAF messages on already busy Telecommunications networks.
Feedback on the change should be made to the CAA at metauthority@caa.co.uk.
The links below are to several documents that describe the changes.
Fine detail is currently being finalised with stakeholders such as ICAO, CAA, and NATS. Further information regarding the precise manner in which the transition to the new format overnight on the 4/5 November 2008 will be implemented will be advised at a later date.
Changes to TAF format
Changes to Civilian TAF issue and validity times
Changes to CAVOK definition
Changes to AUTO METAR observations
Ballooning Forecast validity times change
Following agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the British Association of Balloon Operators (BABO), the validity times of the Ballooning Forecasts will change during the summer months, as follows:
SUMMER (between 1 April to 30 September):
- Period of validity 0600-0900 local (with Outlook valid 1800-2100 local). Time of issue 2130 local
- Period of validity 1800-2100 local (with Outlook valid 0600-0900 local). Time of issue 1030 local
The first forecasts to follow the above will be those issued on 23 April. |
| |
February 2008 |
| |
Synoptic charts
As of 3 March 2007 the T+108 and T+132 black and white synoptic charts will be removed from the 0000UTC analysis time. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. |
| |
August 2007 |
|
15-minute rainfall
radar (subscription service)
From 15 August the 15-minute rainfall radar
available on the subscription service will display
a mask showing the area of radar coverage. |
| |
July 2007 |
| |
F215 worked example
In response to questions arising from the F215 format, further guidance on this product is now available in the form of a worked example.
Download worked example (PDF, 59 Kb)
Details of the new briefing charts
Ballooning forecasts
The CAA has requested that the Met Office issues ballooning forecasts as close as possible to 1030 local and 2130 local. Any feedback on this change should be passed directly to the CAA at metauthority@dap.caa.co.uk. |
| |
March
2006 |
|
The Met. Authority at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
and the Met Office have enhanced the F215 (UK
low-level significant weather chart) and F415 (European
significant weather chart). There were also changes
to the F214 (UK spot winds chart) and F414 (European
spot winds chart). |
|
Any feedback should be passed directly to the CAA
at metauthority@dap.caa.co.uk. |
|
See samples...
|
|
Details of the new briefing charts |
|
|
