Enrique Malek International Airport

MPDA / DAV

David, PA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF MPDA 252320Z 2600/2612 22008KT 6000 TSRA SCT015CB BKN080 TEMPO 2600/2602 03010KT 4000 TSRA SCT012CB BKN080 TEMPO 2603/2606 VRB02KT NSW

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
11:00Z
+-1h
Wind Dir
220°
SW
Wind Speed
8 kt
Visibility
6 km
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
TSRA
Clouds
SCT015CB
BKN080
Ceiling
8,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules MVFR
Day/Night
☀️
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
220° at 8 kt
Visibility
6 km
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
SCT015CB BKN080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the Southwest (220°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be good at 6 km. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Scattered clouds at 1500 feet, Broken clouds at 8000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 00:00Z - 02:00Z
IFR
Wind
30° at 10 kt
Visibility
4 km
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
SCT012CB BKN080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds from the North-Northeast (30°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be moderate at 4 km. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Scattered clouds at 1200 feet, Broken clouds at 8000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

TEMPO 03:00Z - 06:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 2 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds will be variable in direction at 2 kt. 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.