Sault Ste Marie Airport

CYAM / YAM

Sault Ste Marie, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYAM 041340Z 0414/0502 08005KT P6SM BKN030 TEMPO 0414/0421 OVC020 PROB30 0414/0416 1SM BR BKN006 OVC020 FM042100 21006KT 6SM BR OVC020 RMK NXT FCST BY 042000Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
18:00Z
+-1h
Wed
19:00Z
+0h
Wed
20:00Z
+1h
Wed
21:00Z
+2h
Wed
22:00Z
+3h
Wed
23:00Z
+4h
Thu
00:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
80°
E
80°
E
80°
E
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
Wind Speed
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
6SM
6SM
6SM
6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
Clouds
BKN030
BKN030
BKN030
OVC020
OVC020
OVC020
OVC020
Ceiling
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌇
Dusk
🌇 17:32Z
🌙
Night
🌇 17:32Z
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
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
80° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
BKN030
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the East (80°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Broken clouds at 3000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 14:00Z - 21:00Z
MVFR
Clouds
OVC020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

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

PROB30 14:00Z - 16:00Z
IFR
Visibility
1SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
BKN006 OVC020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 1SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Broken clouds at 600 feet, Overcast skies at 2000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

FM042100 21:00Z - 03:00Z
MVFR
Wind
210° at 6 kt
Visibility
6SM
Weather
Mist, FCST
Clouds
OVC020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South-Southwest (210°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 6SM. Weather conditions: Mist, FCST. Overcast skies at 2000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

📚 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.