RAF Waddington

EGXW / WTN

Lincoln, Lincolnshire, GB

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF COR EGXW 221437Z 2215/2304 08016KT 9999 FEW040 PROB40 TEMPO 2215/2217 08018G28KT PROB30 TEMPO 2219/2224 SCT010 PROB40 2223/2304 7000 BR BECMG 2300/2302 05005KT TEMPO 2300/2304 BKN008 PROB30 TEMPO 2301/2304 3000 BR MIFG SCT004

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Thu
01:00Z
+-1h
Thu
02:00Z
+0h
Wind Dir
80°
E
50°
NE
Wind Speed
16 kt
5 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW040
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
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
80° at 16 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the East (80°) at 16 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB40 TEMPO 15:00Z - 17:00Z
VFR
Wind
80° at 18 kt
Gusts: 28 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 40% probability of: Winds from the East (80°) at 18 kt. Gusts up to 28 kt are expected. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 TEMPO 19:00Z - 00:00Z
VFR
Clouds
SCT010
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Scattered clouds at 1000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB40 23:00Z - 04:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
7 km
Weather
Mist
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 40% probability of: Visibility will be good at 7 km. Weather conditions: Mist. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 00:00Z - 02:00Z
VFR
Wind
50° at 5 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the Northeast (50°) at 5 kt. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 00:00Z - 04:00Z
IFR
Clouds
BKN008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

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

PROB30 TEMPO 01:00Z - 04:00Z
IFR
Visibility
3 km
Weather
Mist, Shallow Fog
Clouds
SCT004
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 3 km. Weather conditions: Mist, Shallow Fog. Scattered clouds at 400 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.