Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field

KNBC

Beaufort, US

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF KNBC 0421/0521 15004KT 9999 SCT045 QNH3020INS FM050600 VRB06KT 4800 BR OVC003 QNH3023INS TEMPO 0509/0515 1000 FG BECMG 0516/0518 18005KT 9999 NSW SCT040 QNH3021INS TX25/0421Z TN12/0510Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Thu
02:00Z
+-1h
Thu
03:00Z
+0h
Thu
04:00Z
+1h
Thu
05:00Z
+2h
Thu
06:00Z
+3h
Thu
07:00Z
+4h
Thu
08:00Z
+5h
Thu
09:00Z
+6h
Thu
10:00Z
+7h
Thu
11:00Z
+8h
Thu
12:00Z
+9h
Thu
13:00Z
+10h
Thu
14:00Z
+11h
Thu
15:00Z
+12h
Thu
16:00Z
+13h
Wind Dir
150°
SE
150°
SE
150°
SE
150°
SE
VRB
VRB
VRB
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
150°
SE
180°
S
Wind Speed
4 kt
4 kt
4 kt
4 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
4 kt
5 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
4.8 km
4.8 km
4.8 km
1 km
1 km
1 km
1 km
1 km
1 km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
Fog
FG
Fog
FG
Fog
FG
Fog
FG
Fog
FG
Fog
FG
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT045
SCT045
SCT045
SCT045
OVC003
OVC003
OVC003
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
SCT045
SCT040
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
300 ft
AGL
300 ft
AGL
300 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR LIFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 06:19Z
🌙
Night
🌅 06:19Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 06:19Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:19Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:19Z
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 17:40Z
☀️
Day
🌇 17:40Z
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
150° at 4 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT045
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South-Southeast (150°) at 4 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 4500 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM050600 06:00Z - 12:00Z
LIFR
Wind
VRB° at 6 kt
Visibility
4.8 km
Weather
Mist
Clouds
OVC003
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 6 kt. Visibility will be moderate at 4.8 km. Weather conditions: Mist. Overcast skies at 300 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

TEMPO 09:00Z - 15:00Z
LIFR
Visibility
1 km
Weather
Fog
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be poor at 1 km. Weather conditions: Fog. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

BECMG 16:00Z - 18:00Z
VFR
Wind
180° at 5 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South (180°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

📚 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.