Mount Isa Airport

YBMA / ISA

Mount Isa, AU

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD YBMA 151113Z 1511/1600 VRB03KT CAVOK FM151800 27008KT 9999 SCT008 FM152300 25012KT 9999 SCT020 PROB30 TEMPO 1514/1517 VRB25G40KT 1000 TSRA BKN008 SCT050CB

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
Sun
17:00Z
+5h
Sun
18:00Z
+6h
Sun
19:00Z
+7h
Sun
20:00Z
+8h
Sun
21:00Z
+9h
Sun
22:00Z
+10h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
25 kt
G40 kt
25 kt
G40 kt
25 kt
G40 kt
3 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
Visibility
>10km
>10km
>10km
1 km
1 km
1 km
>10km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Thunderstorm Rain
TSRA
30%
Thunderstorm Rain
TSRA
30%
Thunderstorm Rain
TSRA
30%
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
BKN008
SCT050CB
BKN008
SCT050CB
BKN008
SCT050CB
☀️ CLR
SCT008
SCT008
SCT008
SCT008
SCT008
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
800 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
800 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR LIFR LIFR LIFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 18:24Z
☀️
Day
🌇 18:24Z
☀️
Day
🌇 18:24Z
🌙
Night
🌇 18:24Z
🌙
Night
🌇 18:24Z
🌙
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 3 kt
Visibility
>10km
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 10km. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM151800 18:00Z - 00:00Z
VFR
Wind
270° at 8 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West (270°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 800 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM152300 23:00Z - 05:00Z
VFR
Wind
250° at 12 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Southwest (250°) at 12 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 2000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 TEMPO 14:00Z - 17:00Z
LIFR
Wind
VRB° at 25 kt
Gusts: 40 kt
Visibility
1 km
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
BKN008 SCT050CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds will be variable in direction at 25 kt. Gusts up to 40 kt are expected. Visibility will be poor at 1 km. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Broken clouds at 800 feet, Scattered clouds at 5000 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument 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.