Fort Smith Airport

CYSM / YSM

Fort Smith, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYSM 142340Z 1500/1512 36010KT P6SM SCT080 TEMPO 1500/1503 P6SM -SHRA BKN080 FM150400 VRB03KT P6SM FEW080 RMK NXT FCST BY 150600Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Mon
02:00Z
+-1h
Mon
03:00Z
+0h
Mon
04:00Z
+1h
Mon
05:00Z
+2h
Mon
06:00Z
+3h
Mon
07:00Z
+4h
Mon
08:00Z
+5h
Mon
09:00Z
+6h
Mon
10:00Z
+7h
Wind Dir
360°
N
360°
N
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
360°
N
Wind Speed
10 kt
10 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT080
SCT080
FEW080
FEW080
FEW080
FEW080
FEW080
FEW080
SCT080
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:16Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:16Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 04:16Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:16Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:16Z
☀️
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
360° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the North (360°) at 10 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 - 03:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
BKN080
📖 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 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM150400 04:00Z - 10:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
FCST
Clouds
FEW080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: FCST. Few clouds at 8000 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.