Calgary / Springbank Airport

CYBW

Calgary, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYBW 141740Z 1418/1504 33006KT P6SM SKC FM142300 30008KT P6SM BKN080 TEMPO 1423/1503 P6SM -SHRA VCTS BKN070CB RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 150000Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
21:00Z
+-1h
Sun
22:00Z
+0h
Sun
23:00Z
+1h
Mon
00:00Z
+2h
Mon
01:00Z
+3h
Mon
02:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
330°
NW
330°
NW
330°
NW
330°
NW
330°
NW
330°
NW
Wind Speed
6kt
6kt
6kt
6kt
6kt
6kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Showers Rain, FCST, FCST
-SHRA FCST FCST
Light Showers Rain, FCST, FCST
-SHRA FCST FCST
Light Showers Rain, FCST, FCST
-SHRA FCST FCST
Light Showers Rain, FCST, FCST
-SHRA FCST FCST
Clouds
CLR
CLR
BKN070CB
BKN070CB
BKN070CB
BKN070CB
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
7000ft
AGL
7000ft
AGL
7000ft
AGL
7000ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
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
330° at 6 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
CLR
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the North-Northwest (330°) at 6kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Skies will be clear. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM142300 2025-09-14 23:00:00 - 2025-09-15 05:00:00
VFR
Wind
300° at 8 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
BKN080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Northwest (300°) at 8kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Broken clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 2025-09-14 23:00:00 - 2025-09-15 03:00:00
MVFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain, FCST, FCST
Clouds
BKN070CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain, FCST, FCST. Broken clouds at 7000 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.