FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)WeatherMedium
A pilot reviews a TAF excerpt: 'TEMPO 1300/1303 3SM TSRA BKN020CB.' How should the pilot interpret this group?
- AThe forecast becomes invalid between 1300Z and 1303Z and should be disregarded
- BTemporary, intermittent conditions of 3SM visibility in thunderstorms and rain with a broken cumulonimbus ceiling at 2,000 feet are expected between 1300Z and 1303Z
- CThere is a 30% probability that thunderstorms will occur sometime between 1300Z and 1303Z
- DA permanent change to 3SM visibility with thunderstorms is expected starting at 1300Z
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Temporary, intermittent conditions of 3SM visibility in thunderstorms and rain with a broken cumulonimbus ceiling at 2,000 feet are expected between 1300Z and 1303Z
TEMPO indicates temporary fluctuations expected to last less than an hour at a time and occur in less than half the period, here between 1300Z and 1303Z, with 3SM visibility, thunderstorms with rain, and a broken cumulonimbus layer at 2,000 feet.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. TAF groups indicate expected weather changes, not invalidation of the forecast.
- C. PROB30 indicates probability; TEMPO does not carry a percentage.
- D. That describes a FM (from) group, not TEMPO, which is temporary/intermittent.
TAF TEMPO Group
TEMPO denotes temporary, fluctuating conditions expected to last less than one hour at a time and affect less than half of the indicated time period.
- Followed by a begin/end time group
- Represents short-lived, intermittent weather
- Different from PROB (probability) and FM (permanent change)
Memory trick: TEMPO = 'temporary blips,' not the whole story.