Santa Cruz Air Force Base

SBSC / SNZ

Rio de Janeiro, BR

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF SBSC 150300Z 1506/1518 33005KT 9999 FEW015 TN23/1509Z TX29/1515Z PROB40 1508/1510 4000 BR BECMG 1512/1514 20008KT SCT020 FEW025TCU RMK PES

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
11:00Z
+-1h
Sun
12:00Z
+0h
Sun
13:00Z
+1h
Sun
14:00Z
+2h
Sun
15:00Z
+3h
Sun
16:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
330°
NW
200°
S
200°
S
200°
S
200°
S
200°
S
Wind Speed
5 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW015
SCT020
FEW025TCU
SCT020
FEW025TCU
SCT020
FEW025TCU
SCT020
FEW025TCU
SCT020
FEW025TCU
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
2,500 ft ⛈️
TCU Base
2,500 ft ⛈️
TCU Base
2,500 ft ⛈️
TCU Base
2,500 ft ⛈️
TCU Base
2,500 ft ⛈️
TCU Base
Flight Rules VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 18:27Z
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
330° at 5 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the North-Northwest (330°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 1500 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB40 08:00Z - 10:00Z
IFR
Visibility
4 km
Weather
Mist
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 40% probability of: Visibility will be moderate at 4 km. Weather conditions: Mist. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 12:00Z - 14:00Z
MVFR
Wind
200° at 8 kt
Clouds
SCT020 FEW025TCU
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the South-Southwest (200°) at 8 kt. Scattered clouds at 2000 feet, Few clouds at 2500 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.