Butts AAF (Fort Carson) Air Field

KFCS / FCS

Fort Carson, US

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF KFCS 250400Z 2504/2610 35009KT 9999 FEW050 QNH3023INS BECMG 2518/2519 16010G18KT 9999 VCTS BKN080CB QNH3022INS TEMPO 2521/2524 23015G25KT 9000 -TSRA BKN060CB BECMG 2605/2606 VRB06KT 9999 NSW SCT120 QNH3020INS TX32/2521Z TN13/2513Z LAST NO AMDS AFT 2502 NEXT 2712

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
03:00Z
+-1h
Sun
04:00Z
+0h
Sun
05:00Z
+1h
Sun
06:00Z
+2h
Sun
07:00Z
+3h
Sun
08:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
350°
N
350°
N
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
9 kt
9 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
2.712 km
2.712 km
2.712 km
2.712 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW050
FEW050
SCT120
SCT120
SCT120
SCT120
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR IFR IFR IFR IFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:57Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:57Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:57Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:57Z
☀️
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
VFR
Wind
350° at 9 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW050
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the North (350°) at 9 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 5000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 18:00Z - 19:00Z
MVFR
Wind
160° at 10 kt
Gusts: 18 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
BKN080CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South-Southeast (160°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 18 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Broken clouds at 8000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 21:00Z - 00:00Z
MVFR
Wind
230° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
9 km
Weather
Light Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
BKN060CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds from the Southwest (230°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 9 km. Weather conditions: Light Thunderstorm Rain. Broken clouds at 6000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 05:00Z - 06:00Z
IFR
Wind
VRB° at 6 kt
Visibility
2.712 km
Clouds
SCT120
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds will be variable in direction at 6 kt. Visibility will be moderate at 2.712 km. Scattered clouds at 12000 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.