Calgary / Springbank Airport

CYBW

Calgary, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYBW 151740Z 1518/1604 16006KT P6SM FEW015 SCT220 FM152000 16010KT P6SM FEW080 BKN150 TEMPO 1520/1524 VRB20G30KT P6SM -SHRA VCTS BKN050CB FM160000 14010KT P6SM FEW050 SCT120 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 160000Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
19:00Z
+-1h
Wed
20:00Z
+0h
Wed
21:00Z
+1h
Wed
22:00Z
+2h
Wed
23:00Z
+3h
Thu
00:00Z
+4h
Thu
01:00Z
+5h
Thu
02:00Z
+6h
Wind Dir
160°
S
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
140°
SE
140°
SE
140°
SE
Wind Speed
6 kt
20 kt
G30 kt
20 kt
G30 kt
20 kt
G30 kt
20 kt
G30 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
FCST, FCST
FCST FCST
FCST, FCST
FCST FCST
FCST, FCST
FCST FCST
Clouds
FEW015
SCT220
BKN050CB
BKN050CB
BKN050CB
BKN050CB
FEW050
SCT120
FEW050
SCT120
FEW050
SCT120
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌇 19:26Z
🌙
Night
🌇 19:26Z
🌙
Night
🌇 19:26Z
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:34Z
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
160° at 6 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW015 SCT220
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South-Southeast (160°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 1500 feet, Scattered clouds at 22000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM152000 20:00Z - 02:00Z
VFR
Wind
160° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW080 BKN150
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South-Southeast (160°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 8000 feet, Broken clouds at 15000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 20:00Z - 00:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 20 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
BKN050CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds will be variable in direction at 20 kt. Gusts up to 30 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain. Broken clouds at 5000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM160000 00:00Z - 06:00Z
VFR
Wind
140° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
FCST, FCST
Clouds
FEW050 SCT120
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the Southeast (140°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: FCST, FCST. Few clouds at 5000 feet, Scattered clouds at 12000 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.