Bukoba Airport

HTBU / BKZ

Bukoba, TZ

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF HTBU 201100Z 2012/2112 17006KT 9999 SCT024 FEW026CB PROB30 TEMPO 2021/2100 TSRA SCT010 FEW012CB OVC080 BECMG 2104/2107 SHRA BECMG 2109/2112 NSW FEW018 FEW020CB

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Tue
07:00Z
+-1h
Tue
08:00Z
+0h
Tue
09:00Z
+1h
Tue
10:00Z
+2h
Wind Dir
170°
S
170°
S
170°
S
170°
S
Wind Speed
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT024
FEW026CB
SCT024
FEW026CB
FEW018
FEW020CB
FEW018
FEW020CB
Ceiling
2,600 ft 🌩️
CB Base
2,600 ft 🌩️
CB Base
2,000 ft 🌩️
CB Base
2,000 ft 🌩️
CB Base
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌅 06:01Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:01Z
☀️
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
170° at 6 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT024 FEW026CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South (170°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 2400 feet, Few clouds at 2600 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 TEMPO 21:00Z - 00:00Z
IFR
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
SCT010 FEW012CB OVC080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Scattered clouds at 1000 feet, Few clouds at 1200 feet, Overcast skies at 8000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 04:00Z - 07:00Z
VFR
Weather
Showers Rain
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Weather conditions: Showers Rain. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 09:00Z - 12:00Z
MVFR
Clouds
FEW018 FEW020CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Few clouds at 1800 feet, Few clouds at 2000 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.