Big Trout Lake Airport

CYTL / YTL

Big Trout Lake, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYTL 221941Z 2220/2308 04007KT P6SM SCT080 BECMG 2223/2301 FEW015 FM230300 11012G22KT P6SM FEW015 SCT120 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 230200Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
23:00Z
+-1h
Thu
00:00Z
+0h
Thu
01:00Z
+1h
Thu
02:00Z
+2h
Thu
03:00Z
+3h
Thu
04:00Z
+4h
Thu
05:00Z
+5h
Thu
06:00Z
+6h
Wind Dir
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
Wind Speed
7 kt
7 kt
7 kt
7 kt
7 kt
G22 kt
7 kt
G22 kt
7 kt
G22 kt
7 kt
G22 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT080
SCT080
FEW015
FEW015
FEW015
FEW015
FEW015
FEW015
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 05:10Z
🌙
Night
🌅 05:10Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 05:10Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:10Z
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
40° at 7 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the Northeast (40°) at 7 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 23:00Z - 01:00Z
VFR
Clouds
FEW015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Few clouds at 1500 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM230300 03:00Z - 09:00Z
VFR
Wind
110° at 12 kt
Gusts: 22 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
FCST, FCST
Clouds
FEW015 SCT120
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the East-Southeast (110°) at 12 kt. Gusts up to 22 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: FCST, FCST. Few clouds at 1500 feet, Scattered clouds at 12000 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.