Niagara District Airport

CYSN / YCM

Niagara-on-the-Lake, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYSN 041941Z 0420/0501 23010KT P6SM SCT025 BKN140 TEMPO 0420/0423 P6SM -SHRA PROB30 0420/0423 VRB15G25KT 2SM TSRA BR BKN020 OVC040CB RMK NXT FCST BY 051300Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
20:00Z
+-1h
Sat
21:00Z
+0h
Sat
22:00Z
+1h
Sat
23:00Z
+2h
Wind Dir
230°
SW
230°
SW
230°
SW
230°
SW
Wind Speed
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT025
BKN140
SCT025
BKN140
SCT025
BKN140
SCT025
BKN140
Ceiling
14,000 ft
AGL
14,000 ft
AGL
14,000 ft
AGL
14,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌇 19:20Z
🌙
Night
🌇 19:20Z
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
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
230° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT025 BKN140
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the Southwest (230°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 2500 feet, Broken clouds at 14000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 20:00Z - 23:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
📖 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. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 20:00Z - 23:00Z
IFR
Wind
VRB° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
2SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST
Clouds
BKN020 OVC040CB
📖 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 moderate at 2SM. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST. Broken clouds at 2000 feet, Overcast skies at 4000 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.