Chicago Rockford International Airport

KRFD / RFD

Chicago/Rockford, US

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF KRFD 272100Z 2721/2818 21016G25KT P6SM VCTS SCT035CB PROB30 2721/2723 VRB20G30KT 3SM -TSRA BR BKN015 OVC025CB FM280100 24009KT P6SM SCT040 BKN250 FM280600 01008KT 6SM BR SCT020 BKN250 TEMPO 2808/2812 4SM BR SCT007 BKN015 FM281400 01010KT P6SM FEW020 BKN250

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Mon
22:00Z
+-1h
Mon
23:00Z
+0h
Tue
00:00Z
+1h
Tue
01:00Z
+2h
Tue
02:00Z
+3h
Tue
03:00Z
+4h
Tue
04:00Z
+5h
Tue
05:00Z
+6h
Tue
06:00Z
+7h
Tue
07:00Z
+8h
Tue
08:00Z
+9h
Tue
09:00Z
+10h
Tue
10:00Z
+11h
Tue
11:00Z
+12h
Tue
12:00Z
+13h
Tue
13:00Z
+14h
Tue
14:00Z
+15h
Tue
15:00Z
+16h
Tue
16:00Z
+17h
Wind Dir
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
240°
SW
240°
SW
240°
SW
240°
SW
240°
SW
10°
N
10°
N
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
210°
SW
10°
N
10°
N
10°
N
Wind Speed
16 kt
G25 kt
16 kt
G25 kt
16 kt
G25 kt
9 kt
G25 kt
9 kt
G25 kt
9 kt
G25 kt
9 kt
G25 kt
9 kt
G25 kt
8 kt
G25 kt
8 kt
G25 kt
16 kt
G25 kt
16 kt
G25 kt
16 kt
G25 kt
16 kt
G25 kt
16 kt
G25 kt
16 kt
G25 kt
10 kt
G25 kt
10 kt
G25 kt
10 kt
G25 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
6SM
6SM
4SM
4SM
4SM
4SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT035CB
SCT035CB
SCT035CB
SCT040
BKN250
SCT040
BKN250
SCT040
BKN250
SCT040
BKN250
SCT040
BKN250
SCT020
BKN250
SCT020
BKN250
SCT007
BKN015
SCT007
BKN015
SCT007
BKN015
SCT007
BKN015
SCT035CB
SCT035CB
FEW020
BKN250
FEW020
BKN250
FEW020
BKN250
Ceiling
3,500 ft 🌩️
CB Base
3,500 ft 🌩️
CB Base
3,500 ft 🌩️
CB Base
25,000 ft
AGL
25,000 ft
AGL
25,000 ft
AGL
25,000 ft
AGL
25,000 ft
AGL
25,000 ft
AGL
25,000 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
1,500 ft
AGL
3,500 ft 🌩️
CB Base
3,500 ft 🌩️
CB Base
25,000 ft
AGL
25,000 ft
AGL
25,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR MVFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:54Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:54Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:54Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:54Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:54Z
☀️
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 occurrenceAGL: Above Ground Level

Forecast Periods

BASE
MVFR
Wind
210° at 16 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT035CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South-Southwest (210°) at 16 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 3500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 21:00Z - 23:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 20 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
Visibility
3SM
Weather
Light Thunderstorm Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN015 OVC025CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds will be variable in direction at 20 kt. Gusts up to 30 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 3SM. Weather conditions: Light Thunderstorm Rain, Mist. Broken clouds at 1500 feet, Overcast skies at 2500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM280100 01:00Z - 07:00Z
VFR
Wind
240° at 9 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT040 BKN250
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Southwest (240°) at 9 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 4000 feet, Broken clouds at 25000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM280600 06:00Z - 12:00Z
VFR
Wind
10° at 8 kt
Visibility
6SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
SCT020 BKN250
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North (10°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 6SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Scattered clouds at 2000 feet, Broken clouds at 25000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 08:00Z - 12:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
4SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
SCT007 BKN015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 4SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Scattered clouds at 700 feet, Broken clouds at 1500 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM281400 14:00Z - 20:00Z
VFR
Wind
10° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW020 BKN250
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North (10°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 2000 feet, Broken 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.