Sydney / J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport

CYQY / YQY

Sydney, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD CYQY 050821Z 0508/0518 32006KT 1/2SM -DZ FG VV001 BECMG 0508/0510 P6SM NSW FEW008 SCT015 FM051000 29010KT P6SM FEW008 SCT015 TEMPO 0510/0512 5SM BR BKN008 BKN015 BECMG 0510/0512 29012G22KT FM051400 29012G22KT P6SM BKN025 RMK NXT FCST BY 051200Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
10:00Z
+-1h
Sun
11:00Z
+0h
Sun
12:00Z
+1h
Sun
13:00Z
+2h
Sun
14:00Z
+3h
Sun
15:00Z
+4h
Sun
16:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
320°
NW
320°
NW
290°
W
290°
W
290°
W
290°
W
290°
W
Wind Speed
6 kt
6 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
Visibility
1/2SM
1/2SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
Light Drizzle, Fog
-DZ FG
Light Drizzle, Fog
-DZ FG
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
VV001
VV001
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
100 ft 🌫️
Indefinite
100 ft 🌫️
Indefinite
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules LIFR LIFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
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
LIFR
Wind
320° at 6 kt
Visibility
1/2SM
Weather
Light Drizzle, Fog
Clouds
VV001
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the Northwest (320°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be moderate at 1/2SM. Weather conditions: Light Drizzle, Fog. Vertical visibility at 100 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

BECMG 08:00Z - 10:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW008 SCT015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 800 feet, Scattered clouds at 1500 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM051000 10:00Z - 16:00Z
VFR
Wind
290° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW008 SCT015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Northwest (290°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 800 feet, Scattered clouds at 1500 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 10:00Z - 12:00Z
IFR
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
BKN008 BKN015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 5SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Broken clouds at 800 feet, Broken clouds at 1500 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 10:00Z - 12:00Z
VFR
Wind
290° at 12 kt
Gusts: 22 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the West-Northwest (290°) at 12 kt. Gusts up to 22 kt are expected. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM051400 14:00Z - 20:00Z
MVFR
Wind
290° at 12 kt
Gusts: 22 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
FCST
Clouds
BKN025
📖 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 2500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

📚 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.