Big Trout Lake Airport

CYTL / YTL

Big Trout Lake, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYTL 040140Z 0402/0414 VRB03KT P6SM SCT020 BKN040 TEMPO 0402/0406 5SM -SN BKN020 OVC040 FM040600 33005KT P6SM FEW020 SCT040 FM041200 32005KT P6SM FEW040 BKN140 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 040800Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
06:00Z
+-1h
Wed
07:00Z
+0h
Wed
08:00Z
+1h
Wed
09:00Z
+2h
Wed
10:00Z
+3h
Wed
11:00Z
+4h
Wed
12:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
320°
NW
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
FCST, FCST
FCST FCST
Clouds
SCT020
BKN040
SCT020
BKN040
SCT020
BKN040
SCT020
BKN040
SCT020
BKN040
SCT020
BKN040
FEW040
BKN140
Ceiling
4,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
14,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 06:31Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:31Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:31Z
☀️
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
SCT020 BKN040
📖 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 2000 feet, Broken clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 02:00Z - 06:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Light Snow
Clouds
BKN020 OVC040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 5SM. Weather conditions: Light Snow. Broken clouds at 2000 feet, Overcast skies at 4000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM040600 06:00Z - 12:00Z
VFR
Wind
330° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW020 SCT040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North-Northwest (330°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 2000 feet, Scattered clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM041200 12:00Z - 18:00Z
VFR
Wind
320° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
FCST, FCST
Clouds
FEW040 BKN140
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the Northwest (320°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: FCST, FCST. Few clouds at 4000 feet, Broken clouds at 14000 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.