Calgary / Springbank Airport

CYBW

Calgary, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYBW 041140Z 0412/0424 VRB03KT P6SM BKN160 FM041300 VRB03KT P6SM FEW060 BKN100 TEMPO 0413/0415 P6SM -SHRA OVC060 FM041500 30005KT P6SM FEW060 FM041700 24010G20KT P6SM SCT060 FM041900 25010G20KT P6SM FEW040 BKN060 TEMPO 0419/0424 P6SM -SHRA PROB30 0419/0424 VRB20G35KT 2SM TSRA BR OVC030CB RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 041800Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
12:00Z
+-1h
Sat
13:00Z
+0h
Sat
14:00Z
+1h
Sat
15:00Z
+2h
Sat
16:00Z
+3h
Sat
17:00Z
+4h
Sat
18:00Z
+5h
Sat
19:00Z
+6h
Sat
20:00Z
+7h
Sat
21:00Z
+8h
Sat
22:00Z
+9h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
300°
NW
300°
NW
240°
SW
240°
SW
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
5 kt
5 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
10 kt
G20 kt
20 kt
G35 kt
20 kt
G35 kt
20 kt
G35 kt
20 kt
G35 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
2SM
2SM
2SM
2SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
TSRA BR FCST FCST
30%
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
TSRA BR FCST FCST
30%
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
TSRA BR FCST FCST
30%
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
TSRA BR FCST FCST
30%
Clouds
BKN160
OVC060
OVC060
FEW060
FEW060
SCT060
SCT060
OVC030CB
OVC030CB
OVC030CB
OVC030CB
Ceiling
16,000 ft
AGL
6,000 ft
AGL
6,000 ft
AGL
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR IFR IFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 19:31Z
☀️
Day
🌇 19:31Z
☀️
Day
🌇 19:31Z
🌇
Dusk
🌇 19:31Z
🌙
Night
🌇 19:31Z
🌙
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
>6SM
Clouds
BKN160
📖 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 6SM. Broken clouds at 16000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM041300 13:00Z - 19:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW060 BKN100
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 6000 feet, Broken clouds at 10000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 13:00Z - 15:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
OVC060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain. Overcast skies at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM041500 15:00Z - 21:00Z
VFR
Wind
300° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Northwest (300°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM041700 17:00Z - 23:00Z
VFR
Wind
240° at 10 kt
Gusts: 20 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Southwest (240°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM041900 19:00Z - 01:00Z
VFR
Wind
250° at 10 kt
Gusts: 20 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW040 BKN060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Southwest (250°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 4000 feet, Broken clouds at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 19:00Z - 00:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 19:00Z - 00:00Z
IFR
Wind
VRB° at 20 kt
Gusts: 35 kt
Visibility
2SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
Clouds
OVC030CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds will be variable in direction at 20 kt. Gusts up to 35 kt are expected. Visibility will be moderate at 2SM. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST. Overcast skies at 3000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

📚 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.