Lechfeld Air Base

ETSL

Graben, DE

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF ETSL 040817Z 0409/0418 VRB03KT 0200 FG VV001 BECMG 0411/0413 02005KT 3000 BR BKN003 BECMG 0413/0415 02005KT 6000 NSW SCT005 BKN015

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
09:00Z
+-1h
Wed
10:00Z
+0h
Wed
11:00Z
+1h
Wed
12:00Z
+2h
Wed
13:00Z
+3h
Wed
14:00Z
+4h
Wed
15:00Z
+5h
Wed
16:00Z
+6h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
Visibility
0.2 km
0.2 km
3 km
3 km
6 km
6 km
6 km
6 km
Weather
Fog
FG
Fog
FG
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
VV001
VV001
BKN003
BKN003
SCT005
BKN015
SCT005
BKN015
SCT005
BKN015
SCT005
BKN015
Ceiling
100 ft 🌫️
Indefinite
100 ft 🌫️
Indefinite
300 ft
AGL
300 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
Flight Rules LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 17:31Z
☀️
Day
🌇 17:31Z
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
0.2 km
Weather
Fog
Clouds
VV001
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be poor at 0.2 km. Weather conditions: Fog. Vertical visibility at 100 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

BECMG 11:00Z - 13:00Z
LIFR
Wind
20° at 5 kt
Visibility
3 km
Weather
Mist
Clouds
BKN003
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the North-Northeast (20°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be moderate at 3 km. Weather conditions: Mist. Broken clouds at 300 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

BECMG 13:00Z - 15:00Z
MVFR
Wind
20° at 5 kt
Visibility
6 km
Clouds
SCT005 BKN015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the North-Northeast (20°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be good at 6 km. Scattered clouds at 500 feet, Broken clouds at 1500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

📚 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.