RAAF Base Curtin

YCIN / DCN

Derby, AU

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD YCIN 030704Z 0307/0320 12008KT CAVOK FM030900 33010KT CAVOK FM031500 27006KT CAVOK TEMPO 0307/0310 VRB15G25KT 1000 TSRA SCT040 SCT100CB

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Mon
12:00Z
+-1h
Mon
13:00Z
+0h
Mon
14:00Z
+1h
Mon
15:00Z
+2h
Mon
16:00Z
+3h
Mon
17:00Z
+4h
Mon
18:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
120°
SE
120°
SE
120°
SE
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
270°
W
Wind Speed
8kt
8kt
8kt
6kt
6kt
6kt
6kt
Visibility
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 18:24
☀️
Day
🌇 18:24
☀️
Day
🌇 18:24
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
120° at 8 kt
Visibility
>10km
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the East-Southeast (120°) at 8kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 10km. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM030900 2025-12-03 09:00:00 - 2025-12-03 15:00:00
VFR
Wind
330° at 10 kt
Visibility
>10km
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North-Northwest (330°) at 10kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 10km. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM031500 2025-11-03 15:00:00 - 2025-11-03 21:00:00
VFR
Wind
270° at 6 kt
Visibility
>10km
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West (270°) at 6kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 10km. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 2025-12-03 07:00:00 - 2025-12-03 10:00:00
LIFR
Wind
VRB° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
1 km
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
SCT040 SCT100CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds will be variable in direction at 15kt. Gusts up to 25kt are expected. Visibility will be poor at 1 km. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Scattered clouds at 4000 feet, Scattered clouds at 10000 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.