Thanjavur Air Force Station

VOTJ / TJV

Thanjavur, IN

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF VOTJ 030930Z 0318/0412 27015KT 6000 SCT025 SCT100 BKN250 TEMPO 0408/0410 27010G20KT

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
07:00Z
+-1h
Sat
08:00Z
+0h
Sat
09:00Z
+1h
Sat
10:00Z
+2h
Wind Dir
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
Wind Speed
15 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
15 kt
Visibility
6 km
6 km
6 km
6 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT025
SCT100
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
SCT025
SCT100
Ceiling
25,000 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
25,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules MVFR VFR VFR MVFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌅 05:38Z
☀️
Day
☀️
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
270° at 15 kt
Visibility
6 km
Clouds
SCT025 SCT100 BKN250
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the West (270°) at 15 kt. Visibility will be good at 6 km. Scattered clouds at 2500 feet, Scattered clouds at 10000 feet, Broken clouds at 25000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 08:00Z - 10:00Z
VFR
Wind
270° at 10 kt
Gusts: 20 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds from the West (270°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt 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.