CFB Shearwater Heliport

CYAW

Halifax, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD CYAW 051505Z 0515/0524 01010G20KT P6SM OVC030 FM051800 02010KT P6SM BKN040 BKN120 FM052000 01008KT P6SM BKN050 RMK NXT FCST BY 051800Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Thu
15:00Z
+-1h
Thu
16:00Z
+0h
Thu
17:00Z
+1h
Thu
18:00Z
+2h
Thu
19:00Z
+3h
Thu
20:00Z
+4h
Thu
21:00Z
+5h
Thu
22:00Z
+6h
Wind Dir
10°
N
10°
N
10°
N
20°
N
20°
N
10°
N
10°
N
10°
N
Wind Speed
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
8 kt
G20 kt
8 kt
G20 kt
8 kt
G20 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
Clouds
OVC030
OVC030
OVC030
BKN040
BKN120
BKN040
BKN120
BKN050
BKN050
BKN050
Ceiling
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌇 17:34Z
☀️
Day
🌇 17:34Z
☀️
Day
🌇 17:34Z
🌇
Dusk
🌇 17:34Z
🌙
Night
🌇 17:34Z
🌙
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
10° at 10 kt
Gusts: 20 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
OVC030
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the North (10°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Overcast skies at 3000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM051800 18:00Z - 00:00Z
VFR
Wind
20° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
BKN040 BKN120
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North-Northeast (20°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Broken clouds at 4000 feet, Broken clouds at 12000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM052000 20:00Z - 02:00Z
VFR
Wind
10° at 8 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
FCST
Clouds
BKN050
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North (10°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: FCST. Broken clouds at 5000 feet. 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.