Chileka International Airport

FWCL / BLZ

Blantyre, MW

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF FWCL 030900Z 0312/0418 02008KT 9999 FEW020CB BKN025 FM031600 09008KT 9999 FEW025 SCT080 BECMG 0407/0409 06005KT 9999 FEW020CB BKN025 BECMG 0411/0413 36006KT 7000 -TSRA FEW020CB BKN025 BECMG 0414/0416 12006KT 9999 FEW020CB BKN025

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
20°
N
20°
N
360°
N
360°
N
360°
N
120°
SE
120°
SE
120°
SE
Wind Speed
8 kt
8 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
7 km
7 km
7 km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Thunderstorm Rain
-TSRA
Light Thunderstorm Rain
-TSRA
Light Thunderstorm Rain
-TSRA
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW020CB
BKN025
FEW020CB
BKN025
FEW020CB
BKN025
FEW020CB
BKN025
FEW020CB
BKN025
FEW020CB
BKN025
FEW020CB
BKN025
FEW020CB
BKN025
Ceiling
2,500 ft
AGL
2,500 ft
AGL
2,500 ft
AGL
2,500 ft
AGL
2,500 ft
AGL
2,500 ft
AGL
2,500 ft
AGL
2,500 ft
AGL
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 18:10Z
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
20° at 8 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW020CB BKN025
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the North-Northeast (20°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 2000 feet, Broken clouds at 2500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM031600 16:00Z - 22:00Z
VFR
Wind
90° at 8 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW025 SCT080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the East (90°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 2500 feet, Scattered clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 07:00Z - 09:00Z
MVFR
Wind
60° at 5 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW020CB BKN025
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the East-Northeast (60°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 2000 feet, Broken clouds at 2500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 11:00Z - 13:00Z
MVFR
Wind
360° at 6 kt
Visibility
7 km
Weather
Light Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
FEW020CB BKN025
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the North (360°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be good at 7 km. Weather conditions: Light Thunderstorm Rain. Few clouds at 2000 feet, Broken clouds at 2500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 14:00Z - 16:00Z
MVFR
Wind
120° at 6 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW020CB BKN025
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the East-Southeast (120°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 2000 feet, Broken clouds at 2500 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.