FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX)WeatherEasy
A pilot receives a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) for their destination airport, which includes the following line: 'TEMPO 2000/2004 3SM HZ'. What does this indicate for the specified time period?
- AA permanent change to 3 statute miles visibility with freezing drizzle.
- BTemporary ceilings at 3,000 feet with scattered fog.
- CTemporarily, visibility will be 3 statute miles due to haze.
- DTemporarily, visibility will be 3 statute miles in heavy rain.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Temporarily, visibility will be 3 statute miles due to haze.
The TAF code 'TEMPO' indicates a temporary condition. '3SM' represents 3 statute miles visibility, and 'HZ' is the abbreviation for haze. Therefore, the forecast indicates temporary visibility of 3 statute miles due to haze.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect. 'TEMPO' is temporary, not permanent, and 'HZ' is haze, not freezing drizzle.
- B. Incorrect. '3SM' refers to visibility, not a ceiling, and 'HZ' is haze, not scattered fog.
- D. Incorrect. 'HZ' means haze, not heavy rain, and '3SM' is visibility, not a ceiling.
TAF TEMPO
A TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) 'TEMPO' group indicates temporary fluctuations in weather conditions expected to last for less than one hour in each instance, and covering less than half of the forecast period.
- Indicates temporary changes, not permanent.
- Conditions are expected to last for less than one hour at a time.
- Covers less than half of the forecast period.
- Commonly used for visibility, weather phenomena, or sky conditions.
Memory trick: TAF's TEMPO: Time-limited, not forever.