George Best Belfast City Airport

EGAC / BHD

Belfast, GB

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD EGAC 141758Z 1418/1422 14015KT 9999 SCT030 BECMG 1418/1421 20006KT PROB30 TEMPO 1418/1422 3000 +SHRA BKN006 BKN020CB

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
18:00Z
+-1h
Sun
19:00Z
+0h
Sun
20:00Z
+1h
Wind Dir
140°
SE
140°
SE
140°
SE
Wind Speed
15kt
15kt
15kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT030
SCT030
SCT030
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌇 18:12
🌙
Night
🌇 18:12
🌙
Night
🌇 18:12
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
140° at 15 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT030
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the Southeast (140°) at 15kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 3000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 2025-10-14 18:00:00 - 2025-09-14 21:00:00
VFR
Wind
200° at 6 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South-Southwest (200°) at 6kt. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 TEMPO 2025-10-14 18:00:00 - 2025-09-14 22:00:00
LIFR
Visibility
3 km
Weather
Heavy Showers Rain
Clouds
BKN006 BKN020CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 3 km. Weather conditions: Heavy Showers Rain. Broken clouds at 600 feet, Broken clouds at 2000 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.