MoD Boscombe Down

EGDM

Salisbury, Wiltshire, GB

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF EGDM 100719Z 1009/1018 25008KT 9999 FEW020 SCT040 TEMPO 1009/1013 6000 SHRA SCT022TCU PROB30 TEMPO 1010/1017 27015G27KT PROB30 TEMPO 1013/1016 7000 -SHRA

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
10:00Z
+-1h
Wed
11:00Z
+0h
Wed
12:00Z
+1h
Wed
13:00Z
+2h
Wed
14:00Z
+3h
Wed
15:00Z
+4h
Wed
16:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
250°
W
250°
W
250°
W
250°
W
250°
W
250°
W
250°
W
Wind Speed
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
7 km
7 km
7 km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
30%
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
30%
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
30%
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW020
SCT040
FEW020
SCT040
FEW020
SCT040
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
FEW020
SCT040
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
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 8 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW020 SCT040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the West-Southwest (250°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 2000 feet, Scattered clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 09:00Z - 13:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
6 km
Weather
Showers Rain
Clouds
SCT022TCU
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 6 km. Weather conditions: Showers Rain. Scattered clouds at 2200 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 TEMPO 10:00Z - 17:00Z
VFR
Wind
270° at 15 kt
Gusts: 27 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds from the West (270°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 27 kt are expected. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 TEMPO 13:00Z - 16:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
7 km
Weather
Light Showers Rain
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be good at 7 km. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain. 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.