Sault Ste Marie Airport

CYAM / YAM

Sault Ste Marie, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYAM 211940Z 2120/2208 32005KT P6SM FEW080 BECMG 2120/2122 30005KT RMK NXT FCST BY 220200Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Tue
23:00Z
+-1h
Wed
00:00Z
+0h
Wed
01:00Z
+1h
Wed
02:00Z
+2h
Wed
03:00Z
+3h
Wed
04:00Z
+4h
Wed
05:00Z
+5h
Wed
06:00Z
+6h
Wind Dir
320°
NW
320°
NW
320°
NW
320°
NW
320°
NW
320°
NW
320°
NW
320°
NW
Wind Speed
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW080
FEW080
FEW080
FEW080
FEW080
FEW080
FEW080
FEW080
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 05:17Z
🌙
Night
🌅 05:17Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 05:17Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:17Z
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
320° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the Northwest (320°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 20:00Z - 22:00Z
VFR
Wind
300° at 5 kt
Weather
FCST
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the West-Northwest (300°) at 5 kt. Weather conditions: FCST. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) 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.