Thunder Bay Airport

CYQT / YQT

Thunder Bay, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYQT 220143Z 2202/2214 31008KT P6SM SCT140 FM220900 27005KT P6SM BKN100 RMK NXT FCST BY 220800Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
07:00Z
+-1h
Wed
08:00Z
+0h
Wed
09:00Z
+1h
Wed
10:00Z
+2h
Wed
11:00Z
+3h
Wed
12:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
310°
NW
310°
NW
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
Wind Speed
8 kt
8 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
Clouds
SCT140
SCT140
BKN100
BKN100
BKN100
BKN100
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
10,000 ft
AGL
10,000 ft
AGL
10,000 ft
AGL
10,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌅 05:15Z
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
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
310° at 8 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT140
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the Northwest (310°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 14000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM220900 09:00Z - 15:00Z
VFR
Wind
270° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
FCST
Clouds
BKN100
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West (270°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: FCST. Broken clouds at 10000 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.