Lieutenant Julio Gallardo Airport

SCNT / PNT

Puerto Natales, CL

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF SCNT 241105Z 2412/2424 VRB02KT 9999 SCT015 BKN030 TNM02/2412Z TX05/2418Z TEMPO 2412/2414 0500 FZFG OVC005 BECMG 2414/2416 35007KT SCT040

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Wed
12:00Z
+-1h
Wed
13:00Z
+0h
Wed
14:00Z
+1h
Wed
15:00Z
+2h
Wed
16:00Z
+3h
Wed
17:00Z
+4h
Wed
18:00Z
+5h
Wed
19:00Z
+6h
Wed
20:00Z
+7h
Wed
21:00Z
+8h
Wed
22:00Z
+9h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
350°
N
Wind Speed
2 kt
2 kt
7 kt
7 kt
7 kt
7 kt
7 kt
7 kt
7 kt
7 kt
7 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
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
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT015
BKN030
SCT015
BKN030
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
Ceiling
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 16:25Z
☀️
Day
🌇 16:25Z
☀️
Day
🌇 16:25Z
🌙
Night
🌇 16:25Z
🌙
Night
🌇 16:25Z
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
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
VRB° at 2 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT015 BKN030
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 2 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 1500 feet, Broken clouds at 3000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 12:00Z - 14:00Z
LIFR
Visibility
0.5 km
Weather
Freezing Fog
Clouds
OVC005
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be poor at 0.5 km. Weather conditions: Freezing Fog. Overcast skies at 500 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

BECMG 14:00Z - 16:00Z
VFR
Wind
350° at 7 kt
Clouds
SCT040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the North (350°) at 7 kt. Scattered clouds at 4000 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.