Sumburgh Airport

EGPB / LSI

Lerwick, Shetland, GB

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD EGPB 050125Z 0501/0509 18015G25KT 9999 FEW008 TEMPO 0501/0509 8000 BKN008 PROB30 TEMPO 0502/0509 18025G35KT PROB40 TEMPO 0506/0509 -RA BKN006

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Thu
02:00Z
+-1h
Thu
03:00Z
+0h
Thu
04:00Z
+1h
Thu
05:00Z
+2h
Thu
06:00Z
+3h
Thu
07:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
Wind Speed
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Rain
-RA
40%
Light Rain
-RA
40%
Clouds
FEW008
FEW008
FEW008
FEW008
BKN006
BKN006
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
600 ft
AGL
600 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 06:31Z
🌙
Night
🌅 06:31Z
🌙
Night
🌅 06:31Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:31Z
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
180° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South (180°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 800 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 01:00Z - 09:00Z
IFR
Visibility
8 km
Clouds
BKN008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 8 km. Broken clouds at 800 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

PROB30 TEMPO 02:00Z - 09:00Z
VFR
Wind
180° at 25 kt
Gusts: 35 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds from the South (180°) at 25 kt. Gusts up to 35 kt are expected. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB40 TEMPO 06:00Z - 09:00Z
IFR
Weather
Light Rain
Clouds
BKN006
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 40% probability of: Weather conditions: Light Rain. Broken clouds at 600 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

📚 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.