Red Deer Regional Airport

CYQF / YQF

Springbrook, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYQF 041140Z 0412/0424 VRB03KT P6SM BKN200 FM041300 18005KT P6SM BKN090 TEMPO 0413/0417 P6SM -SHRA BECMG 0415/0417 31010KT FM041700 31010KT P6SM FEW080 TEMPO 0417/0421 BKN080 FM042100 01008KT P6SM SCT030 BKN060 TEMPO 0421/0424 P6SM -SHRA BKN030 OVC060 PROB30 0421/0424 VRB20G30KT 2SM TSRA BR OVC030CB RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 041800Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
17:00Z
+-1h
Sat
18:00Z
+0h
Sat
19:00Z
+1h
Sat
20:00Z
+2h
Sat
21:00Z
+3h
Sat
22:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
20 kt
G30 kt
20 kt
G30 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
2SM
2SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
TSRA BR FCST FCST
30%
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, FCST, FCST
TSRA BR FCST FCST
30%
Clouds
BKN200
BKN200
BKN200
BKN200
OVC030CB
OVC030CB
Ceiling
20,000 ft
AGL
20,000 ft
AGL
20,000 ft
AGL
20,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
3,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR IFR IFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌇 19:32Z
☀️
Day
🌇 19:32Z
☀️
Day
🌇 19:32Z
🌇
Dusk
🌇 19:32Z
🌙
Night
🌇 19:32Z
🌙
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
BKN200
📖 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 20000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM041300 13:00Z - 19:00Z
VFR
Wind
180° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
BKN090
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South (180°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Broken clouds at 9000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 13:00Z - 17:00Z
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.

BECMG 15:00Z - 17:00Z
VFR
Wind
310° at 10 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the Northwest (310°) at 10 kt. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM041700 17:00Z - 23:00Z
VFR
Wind
310° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the Northwest (310°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 17:00Z - 21:00Z
VFR
Clouds
BKN080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Broken clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM042100 21:00Z - 03:00Z
VFR
Wind
10° at 8 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT030 BKN060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the North (10°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 3000 feet, Broken clouds at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 21:00Z - 00:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
BKN030 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. Broken clouds at 3000 feet, Overcast skies at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 21:00Z - 00:00Z
IFR
Wind
VRB° at 20 kt
Gusts: 30 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 30 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.