The following are two examples which shows how TLI is routinely used to accurately update terminal aerodrome forecasts within NWSO Melbourne's area of aviation responsibility. On this day, TLI was exploited by both the AMU and the duty forecasters during the composition of three TAF amendments (AMD) - two were issued for the Orlando International Airport (KMCO) and one was issued for Daytona Beach Airport (KDAB).
 

September 23, 1997

    At 18Z, the TAF for KMCO forecast southeast winds from 130 degrees at 8 knots, prevailing visibility greater than 6 statute miles, and scattered clouds at 3,500 feet. Between 18Z and 21Z,  moderate rain showers were forecast to temporarily (TEMPO) reduce visibility to 4 statute miles, accompanied by broken clouds at 2,500 feet. Examination of the LISDAD at 1833Z showed a line of heavy rain showers approximately 15-20 east to northeast of the airport, with the southernmost cell (5) beginning show electrical activity, yet to be detected by NLDN (see trend table). Due to both the northwestward movement of the cells and their westward propagation, a TAF amendment was issued at 1841Z, forecasting thunderstorms to temporarily reduce visibility to 3 statute mile between 19Z and 21Z, accompanied by a broken cumulonimbus cloud deck at 2,500 feet.

    The subsequent SPECI observation from 2017Z showed that a thunderstorm began at 2016Z.

    Continued examination of radar and lightning data showed additional thunderstorms had developed and were increasing in coverage and intensity between 5 and 10 miles to the west and southwest of KMCO by 2035Z. Based on this, the TAF was immediately updated to show prevailing weather of: winds out of the east 100 degrees at 12 knots, visibility of 5 statue miles from thunderstorms with moderate rain, few clouds at 1,000 feet and broken cumulonimbus clouds at 4,500 feet, with the following temporary condtions until 22Z: wind out of the SE, 150 degrees at 15 gusting to 20 knots,  visibility 1 statute mile in a thunderstorm with heavy rain, and broken cumulonimbus clouds at 1,500 feet.

    The METAR from 2053Z showed conditions had deteriorated to: winds 130 at 14 gusting to 22 knots, visibility 3 statue miles in a thunderstorm with heavy rain, few clouds 8 hundered feet, scattered clouds at 2,800 feet and broken cumulonimbus clouds at 5,000 feet. A SPECI was taken at 2122Z  to end the thunderstorm at that time.
 
 
 

TAF
KMCO 237120Z 231818 13008KT P6SM FEW035 TEMPO 1821 4SM SHRA BKN025
             FM0000....

TAF
KMCO 231841Z  231918 13008KT P6SM FEW040 TEMPO 1921 3SM TSRA BKN025CB
             FM0000....

TAF
KMCO 232034Z 232118 10012KT 5SM TSRA FEW010 BKN045CB TEMPO 2122
               15015G20KT 1SM +TSRA BKN015CB
             FM0000....
 
 
 
 

METAR KMCO 231753Z 14007KT 10SM FEW042 SCT050 BKN300.....

METAR KMCO 231853Z 00000KT 10SM SCT047CB BKN300....RMK CB DSNT E
   TCU NE-SE

METAR KMCO 231953Z 08014KT 10SM BKN046CB BKN300....RMK CB VCSH E-S
 
SPECI   KMCO 232017Z 09008KT 10SM TS SCT040CB SCT120 BKN300....RMK TSB16
   TS SE MOV W  CB VCSH E-S

SPECI   KMCO 232024Z 09008KT 10SM TS FEW008 SCT048CB BKN120....RMK TSB16
   TS SE MOV W  CB VCSH E-S

METAR KMCO 232053Z 13014G22KT 3SM +TSRA BR FEW008 SCT028 BKN050CB....
   RMK TSB16RAB36  TS OVHD-S MOV W  CB E-SW VSB S 2

SPECI   KMCO 232111Z 12008KT 10SM -RA FEW012 SCT028CB OVC150....RMK TSE21
   TS DISPTD  CBS  TCU DSNT N
 
 

    Similarly, the 18Z TAF for KDAB was amended at 1942Z due to developing thunderstorms over southern Volusia County (not shown). These storms were forecast to begin affecting the airport at 2030Z, accompanied by rainshowers in the vicinity (but not at the airport), scattered cumulonimbus clouds at 2,500 feet, with a temporary condition of no significant weather (NSW).

The series of METARs from KDAB shows that a thunderstorm without rainfall began at 2033Z and ended at 2053Z.
 

TAF
KDAB 231720Z 231818 09006KT P6SM SCT025 BECMG 1920 09010KT FEW025
            FM0000....

TAF
KDAB 231942Z 232028 11008KT P6SM SCT025 SCT100
            FM2030 11010KT P6SM TS VCSH SCT025CB BKN100 TEMPO 2123 NSW
            FM2300....
 
 
 
 

METAR KDAB 231753Z 03004KT 10SM FEW022CB....RMK CB S W-NW MOV NW

METAR KDAB 231853Z 11007KT 10SM SCT022CB SCT049 SCT090....RMK CB S-W
   MOV NW  CB DSNT E-SE

METAR KDAB 231953Z 07010KT 10SM FEW025CB SCT040 SCT090....RMK CB N S-SW
   MOV NW

SPECI   KDAB 232033Z 08008KT 10SM TS SCT019CB SCT038 SCT047....RMK TSB33 TS
  OVHD MOV NW  LTGIC OVHD  CB W MOV NW

METAR KDAB 232153Z VRB06KT 10SM FEW019CB SCT100...RMK TSB33E53
  CB SW-W MOV NW