Definition
The wind direction and speed predicted for a specific location, altitude, and time period, issued by an aviation weather service before the wind actually occurs.
Plain English
The wind that weather services expect at a given place and time, based on their predictions rather than what is happening right now.
Context Anchor
Seen when deciding how to park or secure an airplane so it is protected from the wind expected during the time it will be left unattended.
Derivation
Forecast' comes from Old English fore- (before) and casten (to plan or throw ahead) — literally 'to plan ahead.' A forecast wind is the wind planned ahead of time, not the wind currently being measured.
Why Pilots Care
Used to position the aircraft nose into the expected wind to reduce the chance of damage while parked.
Intuition Check
Do not read forecast wind as the wind happening right now. It means the wind predicted for the place and time you are planning for.
Example Sentence 1
The forecast wind for the destination showed gusts to 25 knots that afternoon, so the pilot brought extra tie-down ropes when parking.
Example Sentence 2
With a strong forecast wind from the southwest, the line crew secured the airplane with additional tie-downs.