What is the difference between METAR and TAF in weather reporting?

• A. METAR provides current observed weather; TAF provides forecast weather.
• B. METAR provides forecast weather; TAF provides observed weather.
• C. METAR reports wind only; TAF reports cloud cover.
• D. METAR is for airspace; TAF is for pilots' schedules.

Answer: (A)

METAR and TAF serve different time perspectives in aviation weather reporting. METAR provides current observed weather at an airport—it's the live snapshot of conditions right now. It includes wind, visibility, current weather phenomena, cloud cover and height, temperature, dew point, and altimeter setting, and is issued regularly (typically hourly) or when significant changes occur. TAF, in contrast, offers a forecast for the same location for the near future, usually covering about 24 to 30 hours. It describes expected wind, visibility, weather, and cloud conditions, with notes on changes that may occur (like tempo or gradual change periods). This distinction—current observed conditions vs. forecast for planning—is what sets METAR apart from TAF.