Nanaimo Airport

CYCD / YCD

Nanaimo, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYCD 041741Z 0418/0505 VRB03KT 2SM BR BKN004 OVC008 TEMPO 0418/0421 6SM BR SCT008 BKN040 FM042100 VRB03KT 4SM BR SCT004 BKN008 OVC040 TEMPO 0421/0423 P6SM NSW SCT008 BKN040 FM042300 VRB03KT P6SM FEW008 BKN040 BECMG 0501/0503 30008KT RMK NXT FCST BY 050000Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
18:00Z
+-1h
Wed
19:00Z
+0h
Wed
20:00Z
+1h
Wed
21:00Z
+2h
Wed
22:00Z
+3h
Wed
23:00Z
+4h
Thu
00:00Z
+5h
Thu
01:00Z
+6h
Thu
02:00Z
+7h
Thu
03:00Z
+8h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
300°
NW
300°
NW
VRB
VRB
300°
NW
300°
NW
300°
NW
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
8 kt
8 kt
3 kt
3 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
Visibility
2SM
2SM
2SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
2SM
2SM
2SM
Weather
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
Clouds
BKN004
OVC008
BKN004
OVC008
BKN004
OVC008
SCT008
BKN040
SCT008
BKN040
FEW008
BKN040
FEW008
BKN040
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
400 ft
AGL
400 ft
AGL
400 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules LIFR LIFR LIFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌇
Dusk
🌇 17:30Z
🌙
Night
🌇 17:30Z
🌙
Night
🌙
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
LIFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
2SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
BKN004 OVC008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be moderate at 2SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Broken clouds at 400 feet, Overcast skies at 800 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

TEMPO 18:00Z - 21:00Z
VFR
Visibility
6SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
SCT008 BKN040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be excellent at 6SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Scattered clouds at 800 feet, Broken clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM042100 21:00Z - 03:00Z
IFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
4SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
SCT004 BKN008 OVC040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be good at 4SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Scattered clouds at 400 feet, Broken clouds at 800 feet, Overcast skies at 4000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

TEMPO 21:00Z - 23:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT008 BKN040
📖 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 800 feet, Broken clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM042300 23:00Z - 05:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW008 BKN040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 800 feet, Broken clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 01:00Z - 03:00Z
VFR
Wind
300° at 8 kt
Weather
FCST
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the West-Northwest (300°) at 8 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.