Natal Air Force Base

SBNT

Natal, BR

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF SBNT 160224Z 1606/1618 19006KT 9999 SCT023 TN22/1608Z TX30/1616Z BECMG 1611/1613 13018KT TEMPO 1613/1618 14020G30KT RMK PHI

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Tue
09:00Z
+-1h
Tue
10:00Z
+0h
Tue
11:00Z
+1h
Tue
12:00Z
+2h
Tue
13:00Z
+3h
Tue
14:00Z
+4h
Tue
15:00Z
+5h
Tue
16:00Z
+6h
Wind Dir
190°
S
190°
S
130°
SE
130°
SE
140°
SE
140°
SE
140°
SE
140°
SE
Wind Speed
6kt
6kt
18kt
18kt
20kt
G30kt
20kt
G30kt
20kt
G30kt
20kt
G30kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT023
SCT023
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 17:58
☀️
Day
🌇 17:58
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
190° at 6 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT023
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South (190°) at 6kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 2300 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 2025-09-16 11:00:00 - 2025-09-16 13:00:00
VFR
Wind
130° at 18 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the Southeast (130°) at 18kt. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 2025-09-16 13:00:00 - 2025-09-16 18:00:00
VFR
Wind
140° at 20 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds from the Southeast (140°) at 20kt. Gusts up to 30kt are expected. 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.