Fort Smith Airport

CYSM / YSM

Fort Smith, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYSM 042340Z 0500/0512 VRB03KT P6SM SCT080 TEMPO 0500/0501 VRB20G30KT 4SM TSRA OVC060CB FM050100 VRB03KT P6SM SCT060 TEMPO 0501/0504 P6SM -SHRA BKN060 PROB30 0501/0504 VRB15G25KT 4SM TSRA OVC050CB FM050400 VRB03KT P6SM -SHRA SCT015 OVC040 TEMPO 0504/0509 4SM SHRA BR BKN015 OVC040 PROB30 0504/0509 VRB15G25KT 3SM TSRA OVC015CB FM050900 32005KT 6SM -SHRA BR SCT008 BKN015 OVC040 TEMPO 0509/0512 2SM SHRA BR BKN008 OVC015 RMK NXT FCST BY 050600Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
02:00Z
+-1h
Sun
03:00Z
+0h
Sun
04:00Z
+1h
Sun
05:00Z
+2h
Sun
06:00Z
+3h
Sun
07:00Z
+4h
Sun
08:00Z
+5h
Sun
09:00Z
+6h
Sun
10:00Z
+7h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
3 kt
3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
3SM
3SM
3SM
3SM
3SM
2SM
2SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Thunderstorm Rain
TSRA
30%
Thunderstorm Rain
TSRA
30%
Thunderstorm Rain
TSRA
30%
Thunderstorm Rain
TSRA
30%
Thunderstorm Rain
TSRA
30%
Showers Rain, Mist, FCST
SHRA BR FCST
Showers Rain, Mist, FCST
SHRA BR FCST
Clouds
SCT080
SCT080
OVC015CB
OVC015CB
OVC015CB
OVC015CB
OVC015CB
BKN008
OVC015
BKN008
OVC015
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
1,500 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR IFR IFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:18Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:18Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 04:18Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:18Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:18Z
☀️
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
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT080
📖 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 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 00:00Z - 01:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 20 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
Visibility
4SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
OVC060CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds will be variable in direction at 20 kt. Gusts up to 30 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 4SM. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Overcast skies at 6000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM050100 01:00Z - 07:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 01:00Z - 04:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
BKN060
📖 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 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 01:00Z - 04:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
4SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
OVC050CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds will be variable in direction at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 4SM. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Overcast skies at 5000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM050400 04:00Z - 10:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
SCT015 OVC040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain. Scattered clouds at 1500 feet, Overcast skies at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 04:00Z - 09:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
4SM
Weather
Showers Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN015 OVC040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 4SM. Weather conditions: Showers Rain, Mist. Broken clouds at 1500 feet, Overcast skies at 4000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 04:00Z - 09:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
3SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
OVC015CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds will be variable in direction at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 3SM. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Overcast skies at 1500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM050900 09:00Z - 15:00Z
MVFR
Wind
320° at 5 kt
Visibility
6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain, Mist
Clouds
SCT008 BKN015 OVC040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the Northwest (320°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain, Mist. Scattered clouds at 800 feet, Broken clouds at 1500 feet, Overcast skies at 4000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 09:00Z - 12:00Z
IFR
Visibility
2SM
Weather
Showers Rain, Mist, FCST
Clouds
BKN008 OVC015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be moderate at 2SM. Weather conditions: Showers Rain, Mist, FCST. Broken clouds at 800 feet, Overcast skies at 1500 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.