Big Trout Lake Airport

CYTL / YTL

Big Trout Lake, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYTL 111940Z 1120/1208 18005KT P6SM BKN050 FM112300 15005KT P6SM -SNRA SCT020 OVC040 TEMPO 1123/1203 3SM -SNRA BR BKN020 OVC040 PROB30 1123/1203 2SM -SHSN FM120300 15005KT 6SM -SN SCT020 OVC040 FM120500 18010KT P6SM OVC080 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 120200Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
00:00Z
+-1h
Sun
01:00Z
+0h
Sun
02:00Z
+1h
Sun
03:00Z
+2h
Sun
04:00Z
+3h
Sun
05:00Z
+4h
Sun
06:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
150°
SE
150°
SE
180°
S
180°
S
Wind Speed
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
10 kt
10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
6SM
6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Snow
-SN
Light Snow
-SN
FCST, FCST
FCST FCST
FCST, FCST
FCST FCST
Clouds
BKN050
BKN050
BKN050
SCT020
OVC040
SCT020
OVC040
OVC080
OVC080
Ceiling
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
8,000 ft
AGL
8,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 05:27Z
🌙
Night
🌅 05:27Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 05:27Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:27Z
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
180° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
BKN050
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South (180°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Broken clouds at 5000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM112300 23:00Z - 05:00Z
VFR
Wind
150° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light SNRA
Clouds
SCT020 OVC040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South-Southeast (150°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: Light SNRA. Scattered clouds at 2000 feet, Overcast skies at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 23:00Z - 03:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
3SM
Weather
Light SNRA, Mist
Clouds
BKN020 OVC040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 3SM. Weather conditions: Light SNRA, Mist. Broken clouds at 2000 feet, Overcast skies at 4000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 23:00Z - 03:00Z
IFR
Visibility
2SM
Weather
Light Showers Snow
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 2SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Snow. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

FM120300 03:00Z - 09:00Z
VFR
Wind
150° at 5 kt
Visibility
6SM
Weather
Light Snow
Clouds
SCT020 OVC040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South-Southeast (150°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Snow. Scattered clouds at 2000 feet, Overcast skies at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM120500 05:00Z - 11:00Z
VFR
Wind
180° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
FCST, FCST
Clouds
OVC080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South (180°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: FCST, FCST. Overcast skies 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.