Williams Lake Airport

CYWL / YWL

Williams Lake, CA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD CYWL 042208Z 0422/0507 30010KT P6SM SCT030 BKN080 TEMPO 0422/0424 VRB15G25KT 4SM TSRA BR BKN030 BKN080CB FM050000 30010KT P6SM FEW020 BKN050 TEMPO 0500/0507 4SM -SHRA VCTS BR BKN020 OVC050CB BECMG 0502/0504 VRB03KT RMK NXT FCST BY 050100Z

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
Sun
05:00Z
+6h
Wind Dir
300°
NW
300°
NW
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
Wind Speed
10 kt
10 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
Visibility
>6SM
>6SM
4SM
4SM
4SM
4SM
4SM
4SM
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Showers Rain, Mist
-SHRA BR
Light Showers Rain, Mist
-SHRA BR
Light Showers Rain, Mist
-SHRA BR
Light Showers Rain, Mist
-SHRA BR
Light Showers Rain, Mist
-SHRA BR
Light Showers Rain, Mist
-SHRA BR
Clouds
SCT030
BKN080
SCT030
BKN080
BKN020
OVC050CB
BKN020
OVC050CB
BKN020
OVC050CB
BKN020
OVC050CB
BKN020
OVC050CB
BKN020
OVC050CB
Ceiling
8,000 ft
AGL
8,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:27Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:27Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 04:27Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:27Z
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
300° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
SCT030 BKN080
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the West-Northwest (300°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Scattered clouds at 3000 feet, Broken clouds at 8000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 22:00Z - 00:00Z
MVFR
Wind
VRB° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
4SM
Weather
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN030 BKN080CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds will be variable in direction at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 4SM. Weather conditions: Thunderstorm Rain, Mist. Broken clouds at 3000 feet, Broken clouds at 8000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

FM050000 00:00Z - 06:00Z
VFR
Wind
300° at 10 kt
Visibility
>6SM
Clouds
FEW020 BKN050
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Winds from the West-Northwest (300°) at 10 kt. Visibility will be excellent at more than 6SM. Few clouds at 2000 feet, Broken clouds at 5000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 00:00Z - 07:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
4SM
Weather
Light Showers Rain, Mist
Clouds
BKN020 OVC050CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 4SM. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain, Mist. Broken clouds at 2000 feet, Overcast skies at 5000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 02:00Z - 04:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 3 kt
Weather
FCST
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds will be variable in direction at 3 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.