Bukoba Airport

HTBU / BKZ

Bukoba, TZ

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF HTBU 040500Z 0406/0506 12005KT 9999 FEW016 FEW018CB SCT090 PROB30 TEMPO 0407/0410 TSRA SCT012 FEW014CB OVC080 BECMG 0411/0414 NSW FEW018 FEW020CB

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
22:00Z
+-1h
Wed
23:00Z
+0h
Thu
00:00Z
+1h
Thu
01:00Z
+2h
Thu
02:00Z
+3h
Thu
03:00Z
+4h
Thu
04:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
120°
SE
120°
SE
120°
SE
120°
SE
120°
SE
120°
SE
120°
SE
Wind Speed
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW016
FEW018CB
FEW016
FEW018CB
FEW016
FEW018CB
FEW016
FEW018CB
FEW016
FEW018CB
FEW016
FEW018CB
FEW016
FEW018CB
Ceiling
1,800 ft 🌩️
CB Base
1,800 ft 🌩️
CB Base
1,800 ft 🌩️
CB Base
1,800 ft 🌩️
CB Base
1,800 ft 🌩️
CB Base
1,800 ft 🌩️
CB Base
1,800 ft 🌩️
CB Base
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 05:59Z
🌙
Night
🌅 05:59Z
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
120° at 5 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW016 FEW018CB SCT090
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the East-Southeast (120°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 1600 feet, Few clouds at 1800 feet, Scattered clouds at 9000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 TEMPO 07:00Z - 10:00Z
IFR
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
SCT012 FEW014CB OVC080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Scattered clouds at 1200 feet, Few clouds at 1400 feet, Overcast skies at 8000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 11:00Z - 14:00Z
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.