Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport

FAPE / PLZ

Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), ZA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF FAPE 032200Z 0400/0424 30010KT CAVOK TX27/0412Z TN12/0403Z BECMG 0402/0404 VRB03KT BECMG 0408/0410 10013KT PROB30 TEMPO 0419/0424 4000 BR BKN006

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
Wed
17:00Z
+7h
Wed
18:00Z
+8h
Wed
19:00Z
+9h
Wed
20:00Z
+10h
Wed
21:00Z
+11h
Wed
22:00Z
+12h
Wind Dir
300°
NW
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
Wind Speed
10 kt
13 kt
13 kt
13 kt
13 kt
13 kt
13 kt
13 kt
13 kt
13 kt
13 kt
13 kt
13 kt
13 kt
Visibility
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
4 km
4 km
4 km
4 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Mist
BR
30%
Mist
BR
30%
Mist
BR
30%
Mist
BR
30%
Clouds
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
BKN006
BKN006
BKN006
BKN006
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
600 ft
AGL
600 ft
AGL
600 ft
AGL
600 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR IFR IFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 18:21Z
☀️
Day
🌇 18:21Z
☀️
Day
🌇 18:21Z
🌙
Night
🌇 18:21Z
🌙
Night
🌇 18:21Z
🌙
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
300° at 10 kt
Visibility
>10km
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the West-Northwest (300°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 10km. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 02:00Z - 04:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 08:00Z - 10:00Z
VFR
Wind
100° at 13 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the East (100°) at 13 kt. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 TEMPO 19:00Z - 00:00Z
IFR
Visibility
4 km
Weather
Mist
Clouds
BKN006
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 4 km. Weather conditions: Mist. Broken clouds at 600 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.