RAF Lakenheath

EGUL / LKZ

Brandon, Suffolk, GB

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD EGUL 221545Z 2215/2319 07010G15KT 9999 FEW200 QNH3034INS TEMPO 2215/2217 09015G25KT 510004 BECMG 2218/2219 05006KT 9999 SKC QNH3038INS TEMPO 2303/2307 3200 BR SCT005 BECMG 2309/2310 07010G20KT 9999 FEW200 QNH3040INS TX15/2215Z TN04/2305Z LAST NO AMDS AFT 2215 NEXT 2305

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
22:00Z
+-1h
Wed
23:00Z
+0h
Thu
00:00Z
+1h
Thu
01:00Z
+2h
Thu
02:00Z
+3h
Thu
03:00Z
+4h
Thu
04:00Z
+5h
Thu
05:00Z
+6h
Thu
06:00Z
+7h
Thu
07:00Z
+8h
Thu
08:00Z
+9h
Thu
09:00Z
+10h
Thu
10:00Z
+11h
Thu
11:00Z
+12h
Thu
12:00Z
+13h
Thu
13:00Z
+14h
Thu
14:00Z
+15h
Thu
15:00Z
+16h
Thu
16:00Z
+17h
Thu
17:00Z
+18h
Wind Dir
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
50°
NE
50°
NE
50°
NE
50°
NE
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
70°
E
Wind Speed
10 kt
G15 kt
10 kt
G15 kt
10 kt
G15 kt
10 kt
G15 kt
10 kt
G15 kt
6 kt
G20 kt
6 kt
G20 kt
6 kt
G20 kt
6 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G15 kt
10 kt
G15 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
3.2 km
3.2 km
3.2 km
3.2 km
10+ km
10+ km
2.305 km
2.305 km
2.305 km
2.305 km
2.305 km
2.305 km
2.305 km
2.305 km
2.305 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
SCT005
SCT005
SCT005
SCT005
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
FEW200
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR IFR IFR VFR VFR IFR IFR IFR IFR IFR IFR IFR IFR IFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 05:11Z
🌙
Night
🌅 05:11Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 05:11Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:11Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:11Z
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 18:48Z
☀️
Day
🌇 18:48Z
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 occurrence • AGL: Above Ground Level

Forecast Periods

BASE
VFR
Wind
70° at 10 kt
Gusts: 15 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW200
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the East-Northeast (70°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 15 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 20000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 15:00Z - 17:00Z
VFR
Wind
90° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds from the East (90°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 18:00Z - 19:00Z
VFR
Wind
50° at 6 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
CLR
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the Northeast (50°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Skies will be clear. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 03:00Z - 07:00Z
IFR
Visibility
3.2 km
Weather
Mist
Clouds
SCT005
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be moderate at 3.2 km. Weather conditions: Mist. Scattered clouds at 500 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 09:00Z - 10:00Z
IFR
Wind
70° at 10 kt
Gusts: 20 kt
Visibility
2.305 km
Clouds
FEW200
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the East-Northeast (70°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt are expected. Visibility will be moderate at 2.305 km. Few clouds at 20000 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.