Kimberley Airport

FAKM / KIM

Kimberley, ZA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF FAKM 230900Z 2310/2318 01015KT 9999 BKN020 TX21/2312Z TN13/2318Z PROB30 TEMPO 2312/2318 -TSRA FEW030CB

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Thu
10:00Z
+-1h
Thu
11:00Z
+0h
Thu
12:00Z
+1h
Thu
13:00Z
+2h
Thu
14:00Z
+3h
Thu
15:00Z
+4h
Thu
16:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
10°
N
10°
N
10°
N
10°
N
10°
N
10°
N
10°
N
Wind Speed
15 kt
15 kt
15 kt
15 kt
15 kt
15 kt
15 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Thunderstorm Rain
-TSRA
30%
Light Thunderstorm Rain
-TSRA
30%
Light Thunderstorm Rain
-TSRA
30%
Light Thunderstorm Rain
-TSRA
30%
Light Thunderstorm Rain
-TSRA
30%
Clouds
BKN020
BKN020
FEW030CB
FEW030CB
FEW030CB
FEW030CB
FEW030CB
Ceiling
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft 🌩️
CB Base
3,000 ft 🌩️
CB Base
3,000 ft 🌩️
CB Base
3,000 ft 🌩️
CB Base
3,000 ft 🌩️
CB Base
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 17:30Z
☀️
Day
🌇 17:30Z
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
10° at 15 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
BKN020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the North (10°) at 15 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Broken clouds at 2000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 TEMPO 12:00Z - 18:00Z
MVFR
Weather
Light Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
FEW030CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Weather conditions: Light Thunderstorm Rain. Few clouds at 3000 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.