Watson Lake Airport

CYQH / YQH

Watson Lake, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYQH 081740Z 0818/0906 VRB03KT P6SM SCT040 BKN090 TEMPO 0818/0906 6SM -SN SCT015 BKN040 RMK NXT FCST BY 090000Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
22:00Z
+-1h
Sun
23:00Z
+0h
Mon
00:00Z
+1h
Mon
01:00Z
+2h
Mon
02:00Z
+3h
Mon
03:00Z
+4h
Mon
04:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT040
BKN090
SCT040
BKN090
SCT040
BKN090
SCT040
BKN090
SCT040
BKN090
SCT040
BKN090
SCT040
BKN090
Ceiling
9,000 ft
AGL
9,000 ft
AGL
9,000 ft
AGL
9,000 ft
AGL
9,000 ft
AGL
9,000 ft
AGL
9,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/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
SCT040 BKN090
📖 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. Scattered clouds at 4000 feet, Broken clouds at 9000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 18:00Z - 06:00Z
VFR
Visibility
6SM
Weather
Light Snow, FCST
Clouds
SCT015 BKN040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be excellent at 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Snow, FCST. Scattered clouds at 1500 feet, Broken clouds at 4000 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.