Muskrat Dam Airport

CZMD / MSA

Muskrat Dam, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CZMD 261550Z 2616/2622 VRB03KT P6SM BKN110 FM261800 17005KT P6SM SCT080 TEMPO 2618/2622 P6SM -SHRA BKN080 PROB40 2618/2622 VRB15G28KT 5SM TSRA BR BKN050CB OVC080 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 271000Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Fri
19:00Z
+-1h
Fri
20:00Z
+0h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
BKN110
BKN110
Ceiling
11,000 ft
AGL
11,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌇 19:36Z
🌇
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
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
BKN110
📖 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. Broken clouds at 11000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM261800 18:00Z - 00:00Z
VFR
Wind
170° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South (170°) at 5 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 18:00Z - 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.

PROB40 18:00Z - 22:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 15 kt
Gusts: 28 kt
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
Clouds
BKN050CB OVC080
📖 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, FCST, FCST. Broken clouds at 5000 feet, Overcast skies at 8000 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.