Cartwright Airport

CYCA / YRF

Cartwright, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD CYCA 152245Z 1522/1608 34005KT P6SM BKN060 TEMPO 1522/1601 5SM -SHRA BR BKN020 FM160100 36005KT 4SM -SHRA BR BKN009 TEMPO 1601/1604 P6SM NSW SCT009 BKN025 PROB40 1601/1604 1SM BR OVC005 FM160400 36007KT 1SM -SHRA BR BKN005 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 160200Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Tue
01:00Z
+-1h
Tue
02:00Z
+0h
Tue
03:00Z
+1h
Tue
04:00Z
+2h
Tue
05:00Z
+3h
Tue
06:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
340°
N
340°
N
340°
N
360°
N
360°
N
360°
N
Wind Speed
5kt
5kt
5kt
7kt
7kt
7kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
1SM
1SM
1SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Showers Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
-SHRA BR FCST FCST
Light Showers Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
-SHRA BR FCST FCST
Light Showers Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
-SHRA BR FCST FCST
Clouds
BKN060
BKN060
BKN060
BKN005
BKN005
BKN005
Ceiling
6000ft
AGL
6000ft
AGL
6000ft
AGL
500ft
AGL
500ft
AGL
500ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR IFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 05:50
🌙
Night
🌅 05:50
🌙
Night
🌅 05:50
☀️
Day
🌅 05:50
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
340° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
BKN060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the North-Northwest (340°) at 5kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Broken clouds at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 2025-10-15 22:00:00 - 2025-10-16 01:00:00
MVFR
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 5SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain, Mist. Broken clouds at 2000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM160100 2025-10-16 01:00:00 - 2025-10-16 07:00:00
IFR
Wind
360° at 5 kt
Visibility
4SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN009
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North (360°) at 5kt. Visibility will be good at 4SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain, Mist. Broken clouds at 900 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

TEMPO 2025-10-16 01:00:00 - 2025-09-16 04:00:00
MVFR
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT009 BKN025
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 900 feet, Broken clouds at 2500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB40 2025-10-16 01:00:00 - 2025-09-16 04:00:00
IFR
Visibility
1SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
OVC005
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 40% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 1SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Overcast skies at 500 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

FM160400 2025-09-16 04:00:00 - 2025-09-16 10:00:00
IFR
Wind
360° at 7 kt
Visibility
1SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
Clouds
BKN005
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North (360°) at 7kt. Visibility will be moderate at 1SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST. Broken clouds at 500 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

📚 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.