RAAF Base Curtin

YCIN / DCN

Derby, AU

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF YCIN 171307Z 1714/1802 29007KT 9999 SCT015 FM180000 24009KT 9999 FEW025 PROB30 TEMPO 1715/1723 VRB20G35KT 1000 TSRA BKN010 SCT060CB

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
15:00Z
+-1h
Sat
16:00Z
+0h
Sat
17:00Z
+1h
Sat
18:00Z
+2h
Sat
19:00Z
+3h
Sat
20:00Z
+4h
Sat
21:00Z
+5h
Sat
22:00Z
+6h
Sat
23:00Z
+7h
Sun
00:00Z
+8h
Wind Dir
290°
W
290°
W
290°
W
290°
W
290°
W
290°
W
290°
W
290°
W
290°
W
240°
SW
Wind Speed
7kt
7kt
7kt
7kt
7kt
7kt
7kt
7kt
7kt
9kt
Visibility
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
Clouds
SCT015
SCT015
SCT015
SCT015
SCT015
SCT015
SCT015
SCT015
SCT015
FEW025
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 18:32
☀️
Day
🌇 18:32
☀️
Day
🌇 18:32
🌇
Dusk
🌇 18:32
🌙
Night
🌇 18:32
🌙
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
290° at 7 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT015
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the West-Northwest (290°) at 7kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 1500 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM180000 2026-01-18 00:00:00 - 2026-01-18 06:00:00
VFR
Wind
240° at 9 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW025
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Southwest (240°) at 9kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 2500 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 TEMPO 2026-02-17 15:00:00 - 2026-01-17 23:00:00
LIFR
Wind
VRB° at 20 kt
Gusts: 35 kt
Visibility
1 km
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
BKN010 SCT060CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds will be variable in direction at 20kt. Gusts up to 35kt are expected. Visibility will be poor at 1 km. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Broken clouds at 1000 feet, Scattered clouds at 6000 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.