Sydney / J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport

CYQY / YQY

Sydney, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD CYQY 150716Z 1507/1518 08010G20KT P6SM -RA SCT005 OVC025 TEMPO 1507/1508 3SM -SHRA BR OVC005 BECMG 1507/1508 07015G25KT FM150800 07015G25KT 2SM -RA BR BKN004 OVC008 TEMPO 1508/1516 P6SM -RA SCT004 OVC010 BECMG 1511/1513 07022G35KT FM151600 05018G30KT 2SM -RA BR BKN004 OVC008 TEMPO 1516/1518 P6SM -RA SCT004 OVC008 RMK NXT FCST BY 151200Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Fri
08:00Z
+-1h
Fri
09:00Z
+0h
Fri
10:00Z
+1h
Fri
11:00Z
+2h
Fri
12:00Z
+3h
Fri
13:00Z
+4h
Fri
14:00Z
+5h
Fri
15:00Z
+6h
Fri
16:00Z
+7h
Wind Dir
80°
E
80°
E
80°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
Wind Speed
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
22 kt
G35 kt
22 kt
G35 kt
22 kt
G35 kt
22 kt
G35 kt
22 kt
G35 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
Light Rain
-RA
Light Rain
-RA
Light Rain
-RA
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Rain, FCST
-RA FCST
Clouds
SCT005
OVC025
SCT005
OVC025
SCT005
OVC025
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
SCT004
OVC008
Ceiling
2,500 ft
AGL
2,500 ft
AGL
2,500 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
800 ft
AGL
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR MVFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR IFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
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
MVFR
Wind
80° at 10 kt
Gusts: 20 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Rain
Clouds
SCT005 OVC025
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the East (80°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Rain. Scattered clouds at 500 feet, Overcast skies at 2500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 07:00Z - 08:00Z
IFR
Visibility
3SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain, Mist
Clouds
OVC005
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 3SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain, Mist. Overcast skies at 500 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 07:00Z - 08:00Z
VFR
Wind
70° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the East-Northeast (70°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM150800 08:00Z - 14:00Z
LIFR
Wind
70° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
2SM
Weather
Light Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN004 OVC008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the East-Northeast (70°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be moderate at 2SM. Weather conditions: Light Rain, Mist. Broken clouds at 400 feet, Overcast skies at 800 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

TEMPO 08:00Z - 16:00Z
IFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Rain
Clouds
SCT004 OVC010
📖 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 Rain. Scattered clouds at 400 feet, Overcast skies at 1000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 11:00Z - 13:00Z
VFR
Wind
70° at 22 kt
Gusts: 35 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the East-Northeast (70°) at 22 kt. Gusts up to 35 kt are expected. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM151600 16:00Z - 22:00Z
LIFR
Wind
50° at 18 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
Visibility
2SM
Weather
Light Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN004 OVC008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the Northeast (50°) at 18 kt. Gusts up to 30 kt are expected. Visibility will be moderate at 2SM. Weather conditions: Light Rain, Mist. Broken clouds at 400 feet, Overcast skies at 800 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

TEMPO 16:00Z - 18:00Z
IFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Rain, FCST
Clouds
SCT004 OVC008
📖 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 Rain, FCST. Scattered clouds at 400 feet, Overcast skies 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.