Pietermaritzburg Airport

FAPM / PZB

Pietermaritzburg, ZA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF FAPM 040900Z 0410/0421 09005KT 9999 FEW020 TX30/0411Z TN20/0421Z PROB30 TEMPO 0413/0416 -TSRA FEW035CB BECMG 0415/0417 VRB03KT 8000 OVC010 PROB30 TEMPO 0419/0421 2000 BR OVC005

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
14:00Z
+-1h
Wed
15:00Z
+0h
Wed
16:00Z
+1h
Wed
17:00Z
+2h
Wed
18:00Z
+3h
Wed
19:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
90°
E
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
5 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
Visibility
10+ km
8 km
8 km
8 km
8 km
2 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Mist
BR
30%
Clouds
FEW020
OVC010
OVC010
OVC010
OVC010
OVC005
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
1,000 ft
AGL
1,000 ft
AGL
1,000 ft
AGL
1,000 ft
AGL
500 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR IFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 18:19Z
☀️
Day
🌇 18:19Z
☀️
Day
🌇 18:19Z
🌙
Night
🌇 18:19Z
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
90° at 5 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the East (90°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 2000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 TEMPO 13:00Z - 16:00Z
MVFR
Weather
Light Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
FEW035CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Weather conditions: Light Thunderstorm Rain. Few clouds at 3500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 15:00Z - 17:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
8 km
Clouds
OVC010
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be good at 8 km. Overcast skies at 1000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 TEMPO 19:00Z - 21:00Z
IFR
Visibility
2 km
Weather
Mist
Clouds
OVC005
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 2 km. Weather conditions: Mist. Overcast skies at 500 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.