Cartwright Airport

CYCA / YRF

Cartwright, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYCA 171940Z 1720/1808 35015G25KT P6SM SCT030 TEMPO 1720/1724 SCT020 BKN030 FM180000 33010G20KT P6SM SCT030 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 180200Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
00:00Z
+-1h
Sat
01:00Z
+0h
Sat
02:00Z
+1h
Sat
03:00Z
+2h
Sat
04:00Z
+3h
Sat
05:00Z
+4h
Sat
06:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
Wind Speed
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT030
SCT030
SCT030
SCT030
SCT030
SCT030
SCT030
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 05:18Z
🌙
Night
🌅 05:18Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 05:18Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:18Z
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
350° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT030
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the North (350°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 3000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 20:00Z - 00:00Z
VFR
Clouds
SCT020 BKN030
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Scattered clouds at 2000 feet, Broken clouds at 3000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM180000 00:00Z - 06:00Z
VFR
Wind
330° at 10 kt
Gusts: 20 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
FCST, FCST
Clouds
SCT030
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North-Northwest (330°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: FCST, FCST. Scattered clouds at 3000 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.