Wheeler Sack Army Air Field

KGTB

Fort Drum, US

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF KGTB 171700Z 1717/1823 05010KT 9999 BKN015 QN2996INS BECMG 1718/1719 14008KT 9999 FEW040 QNH2994INS BECMG 1800/1801 VRB06KT 9999 FEW200 QNH2991INS BECMG 1807/1808 15010G20KT 9999 SKC QNH2982INS BECMG 1813/1814 17020G30KT 9999 BKN080 QNH2967INS BECMG 1820/1821 18015G25KT 8000 -SHRA OVC045 QNH2964INS TX17/1720Z TN09/1708Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
20:00Z
+-1h
Sat
21:00Z
+0h
Wind Dir
50°
NE
180°
S
Wind Speed
10 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
Visibility
10+ km
8 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
Clouds
BKN015
OVC045
Ceiling
1,500 ft
AGL
4,500 ft
AGL
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌇 18:36Z
🌙
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
MVFR
Wind
50° at 10 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
BKN015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the Northeast (50°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Broken clouds at 1500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 18:00Z - 19:00Z
VFR
Wind
140° at 8 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the Southeast (140°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 00:00Z - 01:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 6 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW200
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds will be variable in direction at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 20000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 07:00Z - 08:00Z
VFR
Wind
150° at 10 kt
Gusts: 20 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
CLR
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South-Southeast (150°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Skies will be clear. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 13:00Z - 14:00Z
VFR
Wind
170° at 20 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
BKN080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South (170°) at 20 kt. Gusts up to 30 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Broken clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 20:00Z - 21:00Z
MVFR
Wind
180° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
8 km
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
OVC045
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South (180°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 8 km. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain. Overcast skies at 4500 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.