Santa Cruz Air Force Base

SBSC / SNZ

Rio de Janeiro, BR

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF SBSC 171500Z 1718/1806 02008KT 9999 SCT025 FEW030TCU TX32/1718Z TN25/1805Z PROB30 1718/1721 13008KT TSRA BKN025 FEW030CB BECMG 1721/1723 9999 SCT025 RMK PAB

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
21:00Z
+-1h
Sat
22:00Z
+0h
Sat
23:00Z
+1h
Sun
00:00Z
+2h
Sun
01:00Z
+3h
Sun
02:00Z
+4h
Sun
03:00Z
+5h
Sun
04:00Z
+6h
Wind Dir
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
20°
N
Wind Speed
8kt
8kt
8kt
8kt
8kt
8kt
8kt
8kt
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
SCT025
FEW030TCU
SCT025
FEW030TCU
SCT025
SCT025
SCT025
SCT025
SCT025
SCT025
Ceiling
3000ft ⛈️
TCU Base
3000ft ⛈️
TCU Base
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 05:18
🌙
Night
🌅 05:18
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
20° at 8 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT025 FEW030TCU
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the North-Northeast (20°) at 8kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 2500 feet, Few clouds at 3000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 2026-02-17 18:00:00 - 2026-02-17 21:00:00
MVFR
Wind
130° at 8 kt
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
BKN025 FEW030CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds from the Southeast (130°) at 8kt. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Broken clouds at 2500 feet, Few clouds at 3000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 2026-02-17 21:00:00 - 2026-01-17 23:00:00
VFR
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT025
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 2500 feet. 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.