Prince Albert Glass Field

CYPA / YPA

Prince Albert, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD CYPA 041249Z 0413/0501 VRB03KT 3/4SM BR OVC004 TEMPO 0413/0414 6SM BR BKN010 BECMG 0414/0416 P6SM NSW FEW020 FM041600 24005KT P6SM FEW020 TEMPO 0416/0417 BKN020 FM041900 24006KT P6SM FEW030 TEMPO 0419/0501 VRB20G30KT P6SM VCTS BKN030CB RMK NXT FCST BY 041900Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
16:00Z
+-1h
Sat
17:00Z
+0h
Sat
18:00Z
+1h
Sat
19:00Z
+2h
Sat
20:00Z
+3h
Sat
21:00Z
+4h
Sat
22:00Z
+5h
Sat
23:00Z
+6h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
20 kt
G30 kt
20 kt
G30 kt
20 kt
G30 kt
20 kt
G30 kt
20 kt
G30 kt
Visibility
3/4SM
3/4SM
3/4SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
Clouds
OVC004
OVC004
OVC004
BKN030CB
BKN030CB
BKN030CB
BKN030CB
BKN030CB
Ceiling
400 ft
AGL
400 ft
AGL
400 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules LIFR LIFR LIFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 19:34Z
☀️
Day
🌇 19:34Z
☀️
Day
🌇 19:34Z
🌇
Dusk
🌇 19:34Z
🌙
Night
🌇 19:34Z
🌙
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
LIFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
3/4SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
OVC004
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be good at 3/4SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Overcast skies at 400 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument operations.

TEMPO 13:00Z - 14:00Z
IFR
Visibility
6SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
BKN010
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be excellent at 6SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Broken clouds at 1000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 14:00Z - 16:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 2000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM041600 16:00Z - 22:00Z
VFR
Wind
240° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Southwest (240°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 2000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 16:00Z - 17:00Z
MVFR
Clouds
BKN020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Broken clouds at 2000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM041900 19:00Z - 01:00Z
VFR
Wind
240° at 6 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW030
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Southwest (240°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 3000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 19:00Z - 01:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 20 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
FCST
Clouds
BKN030CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds will be variable in direction at 20 kt. Gusts up to 30 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: FCST. Broken clouds at 3000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

📚 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.