Muskrat Dam Airport

CZMD / MSA

Muskrat Dam, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD CZMD 261950Z 2619/2622 21006KT P6SM SCT080 TEMPO 2619/2621 VRB08G20KT 6SM TSRA BR BKN060CB PROB40 2619/2621 VRB15G28KT 5SM TSRA BR BKN050CB FM262100 VRB03KT P6SM SCT080 TEMPO 2621/2622 P6SM -SHRA BKN080 PROB30 2621/2622 VRB12G25KT 5SM TSRA BR BKN050CB RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 271000Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Fri
20:00Z
+-1h
Wind Dir
210°
SW
Wind Speed
6 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT080
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR
Day/Night
🌇
Dusk
🌇 19:36Z
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
210° at 6 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South-Southwest (210°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 19:00Z - 21:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 8 kt
Gusts: 20 kt
Visibility
6SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN060CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds will be variable in direction at 8 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at 6SM. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain, Mist. Broken clouds at 6000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB40 19:00Z - 21:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 15 kt
Gusts: 28 kt
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN050CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 40% probability of: Winds will be variable in direction at 15 kt. Gusts up to 28 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 5SM. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain, Mist. Broken clouds at 5000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM262100 21:00Z - 03:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 21:00Z - 22:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
BKN080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain. Broken clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 21:00Z - 22:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 12 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
Clouds
BKN050CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds will be variable in direction at 12 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 5SM. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST. Broken clouds at 5000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

📚 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.