Ottumwa Regional Airport

KOTM / OTM

Ottumwa, US

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF KOTM 271754Z 2718/2818 24011KT P6SM FEW190 TEMPO 2718/2720 5SM -TSRA BKN045CB FM272000 27010KT P6SM FEW210 FM280700 33006KT P6SM SCT250 FM281100 02006KT P6SM SCT250

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Mon
18:00Z
+-1h
Mon
19:00Z
+0h
Mon
20:00Z
+1h
Mon
21:00Z
+2h
Mon
22:00Z
+3h
Mon
23:00Z
+4h
Tue
00:00Z
+5h
Tue
01:00Z
+6h
Tue
02:00Z
+7h
Tue
03:00Z
+8h
Tue
04:00Z
+9h
Tue
05:00Z
+10h
Tue
06:00Z
+11h
Tue
07:00Z
+12h
Tue
08:00Z
+13h
Tue
09:00Z
+14h
Tue
10:00Z
+15h
Tue
11:00Z
+16h
Tue
12:00Z
+17h
Tue
13:00Z
+18h
Tue
14:00Z
+19h
Tue
15:00Z
+20h
Tue
16:00Z
+21h
Wind Dir
240°
SW
240°
SW
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
240°
SW
240°
SW
240°
SW
240°
SW
240°
SW
330°
NW
330°
NW
330°
NW
330°
NW
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
Wind Speed
11 kt
11 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
11 kt
11 kt
11 kt
11 kt
11 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW190
FEW190
FEW210
FEW210
FEW210
FEW210
FEW210
FEW210
FEW190
FEW190
FEW190
FEW190
FEW190
SCT250
SCT250
SCT250
SCT250
SCT250
SCT250
SCT250
SCT250
SCT250
SCT250
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌇 19:05Z
☀️
Day
🌇 19:05Z
🌙
Night
🌇 19:05Z
🌙
Night
🌇 19:05Z
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:55Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:55Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:55Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:55Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:55Z
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
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 occurrence • AGL: Above Ground Level

Forecast Periods

BASE
VFR
Wind
240° at 11 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW190
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the West-Southwest (240°) at 11 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 19000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 18:00Z - 20:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Light Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
BKN045CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 5SM. Weather conditions: Light Thunderstorm Rain. Broken clouds at 4500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM272000 20:00Z - 02:00Z
VFR
Wind
270° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW210
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West (270°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 21000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM280700 07:00Z - 13:00Z
VFR
Wind
330° at 6 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT250
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North-Northwest (330°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 25000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM281100 11:00Z - 17:00Z
VFR
Wind
20° at 6 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT250
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North-Northeast (20°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 25000 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.