Petawawa Heliport

CYWA / YWA

Petawawa, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD CYWA 150318Z 1503/1524 VRB03KT 5SM BR SCT070 TEMPO 1503/1512 1/2SM FG BKN008 FM151200 30006KT P6SM FEW020 SCT040 BECMG 1520/1521 26005KT RMK NXT FCST BY 150600Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Fri
19:00Z
+-1h
Fri
20:00Z
+0h
Fri
21:00Z
+1h
Fri
22:00Z
+2h
Wind Dir
VRB
260°
W
260°
W
260°
W
Wind Speed
3 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
Visibility
5SM
5SM
5SM
5SM
Weather
Mist
BR
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
FCST
Clouds
SCT070
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules MVFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌇 19:08Z
🌙
Night
🌇 19:08Z
🌙
Night
🌇 19:08Z
🌙
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
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
5SM
Weather
Mist
Clouds
SCT070
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be good at 5SM. Weather conditions: Mist. Scattered clouds at 7000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 03:00Z - 12:00Z
IFR
Visibility
1/2SM
Weather
Fog
Clouds
BKN008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be moderate at 1/2SM. Weather conditions: Fog. Broken clouds at 800 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

FM151200 12:00Z - 18:00Z
VFR
Wind
300° at 6 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW020 SCT040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Northwest (300°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 2000 feet, Scattered clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 20:00Z - 21:00Z
VFR
Wind
260° at 5 kt
Weather
FCST
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the West (260°) at 5 kt. Weather conditions: FCST. 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.