Altenstadt Army Airfield

ETHA

Altenstadt, DE

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF ETHA 050820Z 0509/0518 VRB03KT 0500 FZFG SCT001 BECMG 0509/0510 07005KT 9999 NSW FEW005

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Thu
11:00Z
+-1h
Thu
12:00Z
+0h
Thu
13:00Z
+1h
Thu
14:00Z
+2h
Thu
15:00Z
+3h
Thu
16:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
Visibility
0.5 km
0.5 km
0.5 km
0.5 km
0.5 km
0.5 km
Weather
Freezing Fog
FZFG
Freezing Fog
FZFG
Freezing Fog
FZFG
Freezing Fog
FZFG
Freezing Fog
FZFG
Freezing Fog
FZFG
Clouds
SCT001
SCT001
SCT001
SCT001
SCT001
SCT001
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 17:32Z
☀️
Day
🌇 17:32Z
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
LIFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
0.5 km
Weather
Freezing Fog
Clouds
SCT001
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be poor at 0.5 km. Weather conditions: Freezing Fog. Scattered clouds at 100 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

BECMG 09:00Z - 10:00Z
VFR
Wind
70° at 5 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW005
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the East-Northeast (70°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 500 feet. 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.