Pietermaritzburg Airport

FAPM / PZB

Pietermaritzburg, ZA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF FAPM 230300Z 2304/2315 21005KT 9000 BKN020 OVC040 TX15/2310Z TN12/2304Z PROB30 TEMPO 2304/2308 5000 -RA BKN015 BECMG 2306/2308 15005KT

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Thu
05:00Z
+-1h
Thu
06:00Z
+0h
Thu
07:00Z
+1h
Thu
08:00Z
+2h
Thu
09:00Z
+3h
Thu
10:00Z
+4h
Thu
11:00Z
+5h
Thu
12:00Z
+6h
Thu
13:00Z
+7h
Wind Dir
210°
SW
150°
SE
150°
SE
150°
SE
150°
SE
150°
SE
150°
SE
150°
SE
150°
SE
Wind Speed
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
Visibility
9 km
9 km
9 km
9 km
9 km
9 km
9 km
9 km
9 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
BKN020
OVC040
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
2,000 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules MVFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 06:30Z
🌙
Night
🌅 06:30Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:30Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:30Z
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
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
210° at 5 kt
Visibility
9 km
Clouds
BKN020 OVC040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South-Southwest (210°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be good at 9 km. Broken clouds at 2000 feet, Overcast skies at 4000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 TEMPO 04:00Z - 08:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
5 km
Weather
Light Rain
Clouds
BKN015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be good at 5 km. Weather conditions: Light Rain. Broken clouds at 1500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 06:00Z - 08:00Z
VFR
Wind
150° at 5 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South-Southeast (150°) at 5 kt. 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.