Sault Ste Marie Airport

CYAM / YAM

Sault Ste Marie, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYAM 260140Z 2602/2614 21005KT P6SM BKN030 BKN060 TEMPO 2602/2605 BKN020 BKN060 FM260500 VRB03KT P6SM OVC015 TEMPO 2605/2614 5SM BR BKN008 PROB30 2606/2613 1SM BR BKN004 RMK NXT FCST BY 260800Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
02:00Z
+-1h
Sun
03:00Z
+0h
Sun
04:00Z
+1h
Sun
05:00Z
+2h
Sun
06:00Z
+3h
Sun
07:00Z
+4h
Sun
08:00Z
+5h
Sun
09:00Z
+6h
Sun
10:00Z
+7h
Sun
11:00Z
+8h
Sun
12:00Z
+9h
Wind Dir
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
Wind Speed
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
5SM
1SM
1SM
1SM
1SM
1SM
1SM
1SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Mist
BR
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Clouds
BKN030
BKN060
BKN030
BKN060
BKN030
BKN060
BKN008
BKN004
BKN004
BKN004
BKN004
BKN004
BKN004
BKN004
Ceiling
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
400 ft
AGL
400 ft
AGL
400 ft
AGL
400 ft
AGL
400 ft
AGL
400 ft
AGL
400 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR IFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:47Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:47Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:47Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:47Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:47Z
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
Flight Rules
VFR: Visual Flight Rules
MVFR: Marginal VFR
IFR: Instrument Flight Rules
LIFR: Low IFR
Ceiling Colors
Red: < 500ft
Amber: 500-1000ft
Blue: 1000-3000ft
Green: > 3000ft
⛈️ TCU: Towering Cumulus
🌩️ CB: Cumulonimbus
+Nh: Hours from now%: Probability of occurrenceAGL: Above Ground Level

Forecast Periods

BASE
VFR
Wind
210° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
BKN030 BKN060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South-Southwest (210°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Broken clouds at 3000 feet, Broken clouds at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 02:00Z - 05:00Z
MVFR
Clouds
BKN020 BKN060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Broken clouds at 2000 feet, Broken clouds at 6000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM260500 05:00Z - 11:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
OVC015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Overcast skies at 1500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 05:00Z - 14:00Z
IFR
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
BKN008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 5SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Broken clouds at 800 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

PROB30 06:00Z - 13:00Z
LIFR
Visibility
1SM
Weather
Mist, FCST
Clouds
BKN004
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 1SM. Weather conditions: Mist, FCST. Broken clouds at 400 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

📚 Understanding TAF Forecasts

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) provides detailed weather forecasts specifically for aviation operations. Our system translates complex meteorological codes into plain English to help pilots of all experience levels understand forecasted conditions.

What TAF Includes:

  • • Wind direction, speed, and gusts
  • • Visibility in statute miles or kilometers
  • • Weather phenomena (rain, snow, fog, thunderstorms)
  • • Cloud coverage types and altitudes
  • • Forecast changes with timing
  • • Flight rules categories (VFR/IFR)

Change Indicators Explained:

  • BASE - Main forecast conditions
  • FM - Permanent change from specific time
  • BECMG - Gradual change over 2-4 hours
  • TEMPO - Temporary changes (less than 1 hour)
  • PROB30/40 - 30% or 40% probability

🛩️ Flight Rules Categories

VFR

Visual Flight Rules

  • • Ceiling ≥ 3000 ft
  • • Visibility ≥ 5 miles
  • • Good for visual flying

MVFR

Marginal VFR

  • • Ceiling 1000-3000 ft
  • • Visibility 3-5 miles
  • • Caution for VFR

IFR

Instrument Flight Rules

  • • Ceiling 500-1000 ft
  • • Visibility 1-3 miles
  • • Instruments required

LIFR

Low IFR

  • • Ceiling < 500 ft
  • • Visibility < 1 mile
  • • Challenging conditions

💡 TAF Reading Tips

For Student Pilots:

  • • Focus on the plain English explanations above
  • • Pay attention to flight rules categories
  • • Look for wind direction relative to runway headings
  • • Check for temporary conditions (TEMPO)

For Experienced Pilots:

  • • Cross-reference with raw TAF for precise timing
  • • Consider probability forecasts for alternate planning
  • • Monitor BECMG periods for gradual changes
  • • Always check current METAR vs TAF forecast

Important: TAF forecasts should always be supplemented with current METAR observations, PIREPs, and other weather information for complete situational awareness. Weather can change rapidly, and forecasts have inherent limitations.