Sandspit Airport

CYZP / YZP

Sandspit, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYZP 050040Z 0501/0513 25012G22KT P6SM SCT020 BKN040 TEMPO 0501/0509 5SM -RA BR BKN020 BECMG 0505/0507 20010G20KT FM050900 17010G20KT P6SM SCT008 OVC025 TEMPO 0509/0513 3SM -SHRA BR BKN008 OVC015 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 050700Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Thu
03:00Z
+-1h
Thu
04:00Z
+0h
Thu
05:00Z
+1h
Thu
06:00Z
+2h
Thu
07:00Z
+3h
Thu
08:00Z
+4h
Thu
09:00Z
+5h
Thu
10:00Z
+6h
Thu
11:00Z
+7h
Wind Dir
250°
W
250°
W
200°
S
200°
S
200°
S
200°
S
200°
S
200°
S
200°
S
Wind Speed
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
3SM
3SM
3SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Showers Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
-SHRA BR FCST FCST
Light Showers Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
-SHRA BR FCST FCST
Light Showers Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
-SHRA BR FCST FCST
Clouds
SCT020
BKN040
SCT020
BKN040
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
BKN008
OVC015
BKN008
OVC015
BKN008
OVC015
Ceiling
4,000 ft
AGL
4,000 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
800 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR IFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 06:29Z
🌙
Night
🌅 06:29Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 06:29Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:29Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:29Z
☀️
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
250° at 12 kt
Gusts: 22 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT020 BKN040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the West-Southwest (250°) at 12 kt. Gusts up to 22 kt are expected. 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 01:00Z - 09:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Light Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

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

BECMG 05:00Z - 07:00Z
VFR
Wind
200° at 10 kt
Gusts: 20 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South-Southwest (200°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt are expected. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM050900 09:00Z - 15:00Z
MVFR
Wind
170° at 10 kt
Gusts: 20 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT008 OVC025
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South (170°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 800 feet, Overcast skies at 2500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 09:00Z - 13:00Z
IFR
Visibility
3SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
Clouds
BKN008 OVC015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 3SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST. Broken clouds at 800 feet, Overcast skies at 1500 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.