Sumburgh Airport

EGPB / LSI

Lerwick, Shetland, GB

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF EGPB 041059Z 0412/0421 19012KT 9999 FEW035 PROB40 TEMPO 0412/0419 20015G25KT PROB30 TEMPO 0417/0421 6000 -RADZ BKN008 BECMG 0419/0421 18018G28KT

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
14:00Z
+-1h
Wed
15:00Z
+0h
Wed
16:00Z
+1h
Wed
17:00Z
+2h
Wed
18:00Z
+3h
Wed
19:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
190°
S
190°
S
190°
S
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
Wind Speed
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
18 kt
G28 kt
18 kt
G28 kt
18 kt
G28 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
6 km
6 km
6 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light RADZ
-RADZ
30%
Light RADZ
-RADZ
30%
Light RADZ
-RADZ
30%
Clouds
FEW035
FEW035
FEW035
BKN008
BKN008
BKN008
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
800 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR IFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 17:26Z
☀️
Day
🌇 17:26Z
☀️
Day
🌇 17:26Z
🌙
Night
🌇 17:26Z
🌙
Night
🌇 17:26Z
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 12 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW035
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South (190°) at 12 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 3500 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB40 TEMPO 12:00Z - 19:00Z
VFR
Wind
200° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 40% probability of: Winds from the South-Southwest (200°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 TEMPO 17:00Z - 21:00Z
IFR
Visibility
6 km
Weather
Light RADZ
Clouds
BKN008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be good at 6 km. Weather conditions: Light RADZ. Broken clouds at 800 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 19:00Z - 21:00Z
VFR
Wind
180° at 18 kt
Gusts: 28 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South (180°) at 18 kt. Gusts up to 28 kt are expected. 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.