weather forcasts
many years years ago ,ie, during and after the war the aviation weather forcasts were allegedly finalised by the phrase TCIC which stood for " thank christ I "m covered " .In this modern era of elf and safety I can"t help thinking that that the wheel has turned the full circle!!
You also have to consider that about 25 years ago the Met Office closed many local airfields and made reduntant very experienced Met Officers who truly understood local weather , with these specialist went a wealth of local knowledge, in todays terms that means you become the expert but you need to study all weather inputs and you have that one important ability above the computer in that you can look at the sky and read the signs,as they say with respect to computers "garbage in garbage out" Enjoy your flying, a TAF is just that ,keep a weather eye out when you are airborne, do not be afraid to turn back and pre plan your alternates, in the event a taxi ride back to base makes for a good yarn .