Dawson Creek Airport

CYDQ / YDQ

Dawson Creek, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYDQ 041840Z 0419/0505 VRB03KT P6SM FEW015 TEMPO 0419/0420 BKN015 BKN140 FM042000 VRB03KT P6SM SCT020 BKN120 FM050300 VRB03KT P6SM SCT060 BKN120 PROB30 0503/0505 2SM BR BKN008 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 050100Z

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
Thu
03:00Z
+7h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
2SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Mist, FCST, FCST
BR FCST FCST
30%
Clouds
FEW015
SCT020
BKN120
SCT020
BKN120
SCT020
BKN120
SCT020
BKN120
SCT020
BKN120
SCT020
BKN120
FEW015
BKN008
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
12,000 ft
AGL
12,000 ft
AGL
12,000 ft
AGL
12,000 ft
AGL
12,000 ft
AGL
12,000 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
800 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR IFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌇 17:28Z
🌙
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
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 1500 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 19:00Z - 20:00Z
MVFR
Clouds
BKN015 BKN140
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Broken clouds at 1500 feet, Broken clouds at 14000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM042000 20:00Z - 02:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT020 BKN120
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 2000 feet, Broken clouds at 12000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM050300 03:00Z - 09:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT060 BKN120
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 6000 feet, Broken clouds at 12000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 03:00Z - 05:00Z
IFR
Visibility
2SM
Weather
Mist, FCST, FCST
Clouds
BKN008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 2SM. Weather conditions: Mist, FCST, FCST. Broken clouds at 800 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.