What are some of the significant dates in the changeover from SA to METAR, and from FT to TAF?
A14. On January 1, 1996, the NWS converted to the new international METAR format for international dissemination and to the new international TAF format at 90 locations. On February 1, 1996, TAF formatted forecasts issued for an additional 12 airport locations were instituted. The NWS completely converted to the new METAR/TAF code formats for domestic dissemination beginning at 0800 hours UTC on July 1, 1996. At that time, SAs and FTs were replaced with METARs and TAFs, and SAs and FTs were discontinued.
