Sligo Airport

EISG / SXL

Sligo, IE

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF EISG 042000Z 0421/0506 15008KT 9000 BKN017 PROB40 TEMPO 0421/0506 -RA BKN010 BECMG 0501/0503 24010KT BECMG 0503/0505 32018G30KT

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
Wind Dir
150°
SE
150°
SE
150°
SE
240°
SW
240°
SW
320°
NW
320°
NW
Wind Speed
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
10 kt
10 kt
18 kt
G30 kt
18 kt
G30 kt
Visibility
9 km
9 km
9 km
9 km
9 km
9 km
9 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
BKN017
BKN017
BKN017
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
1,700 ft
AGL
1,700 ft
AGL
1,700 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR MVFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 06:29Z
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
150° at 8 kt
Visibility
9 km
Clouds
BKN017
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South-Southeast (150°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be good at 9 km. Broken clouds at 1700 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB40 TEMPO 21:00Z - 06:00Z
IFR
Weather
Light Rain
Clouds
BKN010
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 40% probability of: Weather conditions: Light Rain. Broken clouds at 1000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 01:00Z - 03:00Z
VFR
Wind
240° at 10 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the West-Southwest (240°) at 10 kt. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 03:00Z - 05:00Z
VFR
Wind
320° at 18 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the Northwest (320°) at 18 kt. Gusts up to 30 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.