Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

CYOW / YOW

Ottawa, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYOW 180841Z 1809/1912 10010KT P6SM FEW250 BECMG 1812/1814 16012G22KT FM181700 16020G30KT P6SM BKN160 FM182000 16020G30KT P6SM BKN080 OVC120 TEMPO 1820/1824 P6SM -SHRA BKN050 OVC070 FM190000 19012KT 4SM SHRA BR OVC040 PROB30 1900/1904 1 1/2SM +SHRA BR BKN008 OVC030 FM190400 28015G25KT 6SM -RA BR SCT008 OVC020 FM190600 28012G22KT P6SM SCT020 OVC050 FM190900 28012G22KT P6SM SCT030 OVC100 FM191100 29012G22KT P6SM BKN120 RMK NXT FCST BY 181200Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
09:00Z
+-1h
Sat
10:00Z
+0h
Sat
11:00Z
+1h
Sat
12:00Z
+2h
Sat
13:00Z
+3h
Sat
14:00Z
+4h
Sat
15:00Z
+5h
Sat
16:00Z
+6h
Sat
17:00Z
+7h
Sat
18:00Z
+8h
Sat
19:00Z
+9h
Sat
20:00Z
+10h
Sat
21:00Z
+11h
Sat
22:00Z
+12h
Sat
23:00Z
+13h
Sun
00:00Z
+14h
Sun
01:00Z
+15h
Sun
02:00Z
+16h
Sun
03:00Z
+17h
Sun
04:00Z
+18h
Sun
05:00Z
+19h
Sun
06:00Z
+20h
Sun
07:00Z
+21h
Sun
08:00Z
+22h
Sun
09:00Z
+23h
Sun
10:00Z
+24h
Wind Dir
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
Wind Speed
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
1/2SM
1/2SM
1/2SM
1/2SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
Heavy Showers Rain, Mist
+SHRA BR
30%
Heavy Showers Rain, Mist
+SHRA BR
30%
Heavy Showers Rain, Mist
+SHRA BR
30%
Heavy Showers Rain, Mist
+SHRA BR
30%
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW250
FEW250
FEW250
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
BKN050
OVC070
BKN050
OVC070
BKN050
OVC070
BKN050
OVC070
BKN008
OVC030
BKN008
OVC030
BKN008
OVC030
BKN008
OVC030
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR IFR IFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 18:36Z
☀️
Day
🌇 18:36Z
☀️
Day
🌇 18:36Z
🌇
Dusk
🌇 18:36Z
🌙
Night
🌇 18:36Z
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 05:21Z
🌙
Night
🌅 05:21Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 05:21Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:21Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:21Z
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
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
100° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW250
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the East (100°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 25000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 12:00Z - 14:00Z
VFR
Wind
160° at 12 kt
Gusts: 22 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South-Southeast (160°) at 12 kt. Gusts up to 22 kt are expected. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM181700 17:00Z - 23:00Z
VFR
Wind
160° at 20 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
BKN160
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South-Southeast (160°) at 20 kt. Gusts up to 30 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Broken clouds at 16000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM182000 20:00Z - 02:00Z
VFR
Wind
160° at 20 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
BKN080 OVC120
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South-Southeast (160°) at 20 kt. Gusts up to 30 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Broken clouds at 8000 feet, Overcast skies at 12000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 20:00Z - 00:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
BKN050 OVC070
📖 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. Broken clouds at 5000 feet, Overcast skies at 7000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM190000 00:00Z - 06:00Z
MVFR
Wind
190° at 12 kt
Visibility
4SM
Weather
Showers Rain, Mist
Clouds
OVC040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South (190°) at 12 kt. Visibility will be good at 4SM. Weather conditions: Showers Rain, Mist. Overcast skies at 4000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 00:00Z - 04:00Z
IFR
Visibility
1/2SM
Weather
Heavy Showers Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN008 OVC030
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 1/2SM. Weather conditions: Heavy Showers Rain, Mist. Broken clouds at 800 feet, Overcast skies at 3000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

FM190400 04:00Z - 10:00Z
MVFR
Wind
280° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
6SM
Weather
Light Rain, Mist
Clouds
SCT008 OVC020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West (280°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Rain, Mist. Scattered clouds at 800 feet, Overcast skies at 2000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM190600 06:00Z - 12:00Z
VFR
Wind
280° at 12 kt
Gusts: 22 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT020 OVC050
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West (280°) at 12 kt. Gusts up to 22 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 2000 feet, Overcast skies at 5000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM190900 09:00Z - 15:00Z
VFR
Wind
280° at 12 kt
Gusts: 22 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT030 OVC100
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West (280°) at 12 kt. Gusts up to 22 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 3000 feet, Overcast skies at 10000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM191100 11:00Z - 17:00Z
VFR
Wind
290° at 12 kt
Gusts: 22 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
FCST
Clouds
BKN120
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Northwest (290°) at 12 kt. Gusts up to 22 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: FCST. Broken clouds at 12000 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.