Cherbourg Manche airport

LFRC / CER

Cherbourg, FR

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF LFRC 041400Z 0415/0424 VRB05KT CAVOK BECMG 0419/0421 3000 BR PROB40 TEMPO 0421/0424 0500 FG

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
17:00Z
+-1h
Wed
18:00Z
+0h
Wed
19:00Z
+1h
Wed
20:00Z
+2h
Wed
21:00Z
+3h
Wed
22:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
Visibility
>10km
>10km
3 km
3 km
0.5 km
0.5 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
Fog
FG
40%
Fog
FG
40%
Clouds
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR IFR IFR LIFR LIFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌇 17:30Z
🌇
Dusk
🌇 17:30Z
🌙
Night
🌇 17:30Z
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
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
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 5 kt
Visibility
>10km
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 10km. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 19:00Z - 21:00Z
IFR
Visibility
3 km
Weather
Mist
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Visibility will be moderate at 3 km. Weather conditions: Mist. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

PROB40 TEMPO 21:00Z - 00:00Z
LIFR
Visibility
0.5 km
Weather
Fog
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 40% probability of: Visibility will be poor at 0.5 km. Weather conditions: Fog. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument 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.