Islay Airport

EGPI / ILY

Isle of Islay, Argyll and Bute, GB

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF EGPI 040758Z 0409/0418 16012KT 9999 SCT006 BKN020 TEMPO 0409/0415 17015G25KT 5000 -DZRA BKN006 PROB40 TEMPO 0409/0413 2000 DZRA BKN003 BECMG 0415/0418 15018G30KT PROB40 TEMPO 0415/0418 BKN006

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
11:00Z
+-1h
Wed
12:00Z
+0h
Wed
13:00Z
+1h
Wed
14:00Z
+2h
Wed
15:00Z
+3h
Wed
16:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
150°
SE
150°
SE
Wind Speed
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
18 kt
G30 kt
18 kt
G30 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT006
BKN020
SCT006
BKN020
SCT006
BKN020
SCT006
BKN020
BKN006
BKN006
Ceiling
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
600 ft
AGL
600 ft
AGL
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR IFR IFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 17:28Z
☀️
Day
🌇 17:28Z
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
MVFR
Wind
160° at 12 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT006 BKN020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South-Southeast (160°) at 12 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 600 feet, Broken clouds at 2000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 09:00Z - 15:00Z
IFR
Wind
170° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
5 km
Weather
Light DZRA
Clouds
BKN006
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds from the South (170°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 5 km. Weather conditions: Light DZRA. Broken clouds at 600 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

PROB40 TEMPO 09:00Z - 13:00Z
LIFR
Visibility
2 km
Weather
DZRA
Clouds
BKN003
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 40% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 2 km. Weather conditions: DZRA. Broken clouds at 300 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

BECMG 15:00Z - 18:00Z
VFR
Wind
150° at 18 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South-Southeast (150°) at 18 kt. Gusts up to 30 kt are expected. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB40 TEMPO 15:00Z - 18:00Z
IFR
Clouds
BKN006
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 40% probability of: 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.