Edwards Air Force Base

KEDW / EDW

Edwards, US

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD KEDW 170030Z 1700/1804 VRB05KT 9999 SKC QNH3009INS BECMG 1721/1722 05010G15KT 9999 SKC QNH3023INS BECMG 1800/1801 05009KT 9999 SKC QNH3024INS TX19/1723Z TN01/1715Z LAST NO AMDS AFT 1700 NEXT 2014

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
01:00Z
+-1h
Sun
02:00Z
+0h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
5kt
5kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
CLR
CLR
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
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
VRB° at 5 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
CLR
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 5kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Skies will be clear. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 2026-02-17 21:00:00 - 2026-02-17 22:00:00
VFR
Wind
50° at 10 kt
Gusts: 15 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
CLR
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the Northeast (50°) at 10kt. Gusts up to 15kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Skies will be clear. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 2026-02-18 00:00:00 - 2026-02-18 01:00:00
IFR
Wind
50° at 9 kt
Visibility
2.014 km
Clouds
CLR
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the Northeast (50°) at 9kt. Visibility will be moderate at 2.014 km. Skies will be clear. 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.