Big Trout Lake Airport

CYTL / YTL

Big Trout Lake, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD CYTL 050937Z 0509/0520 VRB03KT P6SM SKC TEMPO 0509/0512 5SM FU FM051200 15012KT 6SM FU BKN130 FM051600 15012G22KT P6SM SCT080 TEMPO 0519/0520 P6SM -SHRA BKN060 OVC080 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 051400Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
12:00Z
+-1h
Sun
13:00Z
+0h
Sun
14:00Z
+1h
Sun
15:00Z
+2h
Sun
16:00Z
+3h
Sun
17:00Z
+4h
Sun
18:00Z
+5h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
150°
SE
150°
SE
150°
SE
Wind Speed
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
12 kt
G22 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
SCT080
SCT080
SCT080
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 19:34Z
☀️
Day
🌇 19:34Z
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
CLR
📖 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. Skies will be clear. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 09:00Z - 12:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Smoke
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 5SM. Weather conditions: Smoke. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM051200 12:00Z - 18:00Z
VFR
Wind
150° at 12 kt
Visibility
6SM
Weather
Smoke
Clouds
BKN130
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South-Southeast (150°) at 12 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 6SM. Weather conditions: Smoke. Broken clouds at 13000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM051600 16:00Z - 22:00Z
VFR
Wind
150° at 12 kt
Gusts: 22 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the South-Southeast (150°) at 12 kt. Gusts up to 22 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 19:00Z - 20:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain, FCST, FCST
Clouds
BKN060 OVC080
📖 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, FCST, FCST. Broken clouds at 6000 feet, Overcast skies at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) 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.