Williams Lake Airport

CYWL / YWL

Williams Lake, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYWL 180040Z 1801/1813 VRB03KT P6SM FEW220 FM180700 VRB03KT P6SM SCT008 TEMPO 1807/1813 BKN008 PROB30 1807/1813 1SM BR OVC004 RMK NXT FCST BY 180700Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
01:00Z
+-1h
Sun
02:00Z
+0h
Sun
03:00Z
+1h
Sun
04:00Z
+2h
Sun
05:00Z
+3h
Sun
06:00Z
+4h
Sun
07:00Z
+5h
Sun
08:00Z
+6h
Sun
09:00Z
+7h
Sun
10:00Z
+8h
Sun
11:00Z
+9h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
3kt
3kt
3kt
3kt
3kt
3kt
3kt
3kt
3kt
3kt
3kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
1SM
1SM
1SM
1SM
1SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Mist, FCST
BR FCST
30%
Clouds
FEW220
FEW220
FEW220
FEW220
FEW220
FEW220
OVC004
OVC004
OVC004
OVC004
OVC004
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
400ft
AGL
400ft
AGL
400ft
AGL
400ft
AGL
400ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 07:24
🌙
Night
🌅 07:24
🌅
Dawn
🌅 07:24
☀️
Day
🌅 07:24
☀️
Day
🌅 07:24
☀️
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
FEW220
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 3kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 22000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM180700 2026-01-18 07:00:00 - 2026-01-18 13:00:00
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 800 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 2026-01-18 07:00:00 - 2026-01-18 13:00:00
IFR
Clouds
BKN008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Broken clouds at 800 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

PROB30 2026-01-18 07:00:00 - 2026-01-18 13:00:00
LIFR
Visibility
1SM
Weather
Mist, FCST
Clouds
OVC004
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 1SM. Weather conditions: Mist, FCST. Overcast skies at 400 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument 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.