Fort Smith Airport

CYSM / YSM

Fort Smith, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYSM 041744Z 0418/0506 18008KT P6SM SCT060 TEMPO 0418/0420 P6SM -SHRA VCTS FEW050CB BKN060 FM042000 19008KT P6SM SCT060 TEMPO 0420/0504 P6SM -SHRA BKN060 PROB30 0420/0504 VRB15G25KT 5SM TSRA BKN050CB FM050400 VRB03KT P6SM -SHRA SCT015 OVC040 TEMPO 0504/0506 4SM SHRA BR PROB30 0504/0506 VRB15G25KT 3SM TSRA OVC015CB RMK NXT FCST BY 050000Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
22:00Z
+-1h
Sat
23:00Z
+0h
Sun
00:00Z
+1h
Sun
01:00Z
+2h
Sun
02:00Z
+3h
Sun
03:00Z
+4h
Sun
04:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
180°
S
VRB
Wind Speed
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
8 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
3SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Thunderstorm Rain, FCST
TSRA FCST
30%
Clouds
SCT060
SCT060
SCT060
SCT060
SCT060
SCT060
OVC015CB
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
1,500 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:18Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:18Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 04:18Z
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
180° at 8 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South (180°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 18:00Z - 20:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
FEW050CB BKN060
📖 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. Few clouds at 5000 feet, Broken clouds at 6000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM042000 20:00Z - 02:00Z
VFR
Wind
190° at 8 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South (190°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 20:00Z - 04:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
BKN060
📖 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 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 20:00Z - 04:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
BKN050CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds will be variable in direction at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 5SM. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain. Broken clouds at 5000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM050400 04:00Z - 10:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain
Clouds
SCT015 OVC040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain. Scattered clouds at 1500 feet, Overcast skies at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 04:00Z - 06:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
4SM
Weather
Showers Rain, Mist
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 4SM. Weather conditions: Showers Rain, Mist. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 04:00Z - 06:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
3SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain, FCST
Clouds
OVC015CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds will be variable in direction at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 3SM. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain, FCST. Overcast skies at 1500 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.