Williams Lake Airport

CYWL / YWL

Williams Lake, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF CYWL 150640Z 1507/1519 10005KT P6SM SCT090 TEMPO 1507/1510 SCT040 BKN080 FM151000 VRB03KT P6SM BKN060 TEMPO 1510/1519 P6SM -SHRA BKN050 RMK NXT FCST BY 151300Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Fri
09:00Z
+-1h
Fri
10:00Z
+0h
Fri
11:00Z
+1h
Fri
12:00Z
+2h
Fri
13:00Z
+3h
Fri
14:00Z
+4h
Fri
15:00Z
+5h
Fri
16:00Z
+6h
Fri
17:00Z
+7h
Wind Dir
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
Wind Speed
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
>6SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
Light Showers Rain, FCST
-SHRA FCST
Light Showers Rain, FCST
-SHRA FCST
Light Showers Rain, FCST
-SHRA FCST
Light Showers Rain, FCST
-SHRA FCST
Light Showers Rain, FCST
-SHRA FCST
Light Showers Rain, FCST
-SHRA FCST
Light Showers Rain, FCST
-SHRA FCST
Light Showers Rain, FCST
-SHRA FCST
Clouds
SCT090
BKN050
BKN050
BKN050
BKN050
BKN050
BKN050
BKN050
BKN050
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
5,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 19:14Z
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
100° at 5 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT090
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the East (100°) at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 9000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 07:00Z - 10:00Z
VFR
Clouds
SCT040 BKN080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Scattered clouds at 4000 feet, Broken clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

FM151000 10:00Z - 16:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
BKN060
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds will be variable in direction at 3 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Broken clouds at 6000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 10:00Z - 19:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>6SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain, FCST
Clouds
BKN050
📖 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. Broken clouds at 5000 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.