Kirkwall Airport

EGPA / KOI

Orkney Islands, GB

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF EGPA 040155Z 0403/0412 19008KT CAVOK PROB30 0403/0410 8000 BECMG 0410/0412 BKN035

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
04:00Z
+-1h
Wed
05:00Z
+0h
Wed
06:00Z
+1h
Wed
07:00Z
+2h
Wed
08:00Z
+3h
Wed
09:00Z
+4h
Wed
10:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
190°
S
190°
S
190°
S
190°
S
190°
S
190°
S
190°
S
Wind Speed
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
Visibility
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
BKN035
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
3,500 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 06:33Z
🌙
Night
🌅 06:33Z
🌙
Night
🌅 06:33Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:33Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:33Z
☀️
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
190° at 8 kt
Visibility
>10km
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South (190°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 10km. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 03:00Z - 10:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
8 km
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be good at 8 km. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 10:00Z - 12:00Z
VFR
Clouds
BKN035
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Broken clouds at 3500 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) 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.