Natal Air Force Base

SBNT

Natal, BR

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF SBNT 142027Z 1500/1512 17007KT 7000 SCT020 TN23/1509Z TX26/1512Z TEMPO 1506/1512 24005KT 6000 BKN016 FEW023TCU RMK PHC

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Fri
03:00Z
+-1h
Fri
04:00Z
+0h
Fri
05:00Z
+1h
Fri
06:00Z
+2h
Fri
07:00Z
+3h
Fri
08:00Z
+4h
Fri
09:00Z
+5h
Fri
10:00Z
+6h
Wind Dir
170°
S
170°
S
170°
S
240°
SW
240°
SW
240°
SW
240°
SW
240°
SW
Wind Speed
7 kt
7 kt
7 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
Visibility
7 km
7 km
7 km
6 km
6 km
6 km
6 km
6 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT020
SCT020
SCT020
BKN016
FEW023TCU
BKN016
FEW023TCU
BKN016
FEW023TCU
BKN016
FEW023TCU
BKN016
FEW023TCU
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
1,600 ft
AGL
1,600 ft
AGL
1,600 ft
AGL
1,600 ft
AGL
1,600 ft
AGL
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 06:09Z
🌙
Night
🌅 06:09Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 06:09Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:09Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:09Z
☀️
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
170° at 7 kt
Visibility
7 km
Clouds
SCT020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South (170°) at 7 kt. Visibility will be good at 7 km. Scattered clouds at 2000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 06:00Z - 12:00Z
MVFR
Wind
240° at 5 kt
Visibility
6 km
Clouds
BKN016 FEW023TCU
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds from the West-Southwest (240°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be good at 6 km. Broken clouds at 1600 feet, Few clouds at 2300 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

📚 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.