Lubumbashi International Airport

FZQA / FBM

Lubumbashi, CD

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF FZQA 030500Z 0306/0412 09006KT 8000 FEW010 BECMG 0309/0311 18008KT BKN020 FEW030CB PROB30 TEMPO 0312/0316 09010KT 7000 -TSRA BECMG 0317/0319 VRB03KT SCT014 BECMG 0403/0405 36006KT 4000 BR SCT008

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
05:00Z
+-1h
Wed
06:00Z
+0h
Wed
07:00Z
+1h
Wed
08:00Z
+2h
Wed
09:00Z
+3h
Wed
10:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
90°
E
90°
E
90°
E
90°
E
90°
E
90°
E
Wind Speed
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
Visibility
8 km
8 km
8 km
8 km
8 km
8 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW010
FEW010
FEW010
FEW010
FEW010
FEW010
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 05:52Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:52Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:52Z
☀️
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
90° at 6 kt
Visibility
8 km
Clouds
FEW010
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the East (90°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be good at 8 km. Few clouds at 1000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 09:00Z - 11:00Z
MVFR
Wind
180° at 8 kt
Clouds
BKN020 FEW030CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South (180°) at 8 kt. Broken clouds at 2000 feet, Few clouds at 3000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 TEMPO 12:00Z - 16:00Z
MVFR
Wind
90° at 10 kt
Visibility
7 km
Weather
Light Thunderstorm Rain
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds from the East (90°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be good at 7 km. Weather conditions: Light Thunderstorm Rain. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 17:00Z - 19:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Clouds
SCT014
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Scattered clouds at 1400 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 03:00Z - 05:00Z
IFR
Wind
360° at 6 kt
Visibility
4 km
Weather
Mist
Clouds
SCT008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the North (360°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be moderate at 4 km. Weather conditions: Mist. Scattered clouds at 800 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.