CFB Shearwater Heliport

CYAW

Halifax, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYAW 031741Z 0318/0406 18008KT P6SM FEW030 SCT250 BECMG 0320/0322 27010KT RMK NXT FCST BY 040000Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
04:00Z
+-1h
Wind Dir
180°
S
Wind Speed
8 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW030
SCT250
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:37Z
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
180° at 8 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW030 SCT250
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South (180°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 3000 feet, Scattered clouds at 25000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 20:00Z - 22:00Z
VFR
Wind
270° at 10 kt
Weather
FCST
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the West (270°) at 10 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.