Kirkwall Airport

EGPA / KOI

Orkney Islands, GB

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF EGPA 040758Z 0409/0418 21008KT 9999 SCT020 TEMPO 0409/0418 8000 -RA BKN012 PROB30 TEMPO 0409/0416 BKN008 BECMG 0411/0414 27010KT PROB30 TEMPO 0413/0416 28015G25KT

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
09:00Z
+-1h
Sat
10:00Z
+0h
Sat
11:00Z
+1h
Sat
12:00Z
+2h
Sat
13:00Z
+3h
Sat
14:00Z
+4h
Sat
15:00Z
+5h
Sat
16:00Z
+6h
Wind Dir
210°
SW
210°
SW
270°
W
270°
W
280°
W
280°
W
280°
W
270°
W
Wind Speed
8 kt
8 kt
10 kt
10 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
10 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
SCT020
SCT020
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
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
210° at 8 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South-Southwest (210°) at 8 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 2000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 09:00Z - 18:00Z
IFR
Visibility
8 km
Weather
Light Rain
Clouds
BKN012
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 8 km. Weather conditions: Light Rain. Broken clouds at 1200 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

PROB30 TEMPO 09:00Z - 16:00Z
IFR
Clouds
BKN008
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Broken clouds at 800 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 11:00Z - 14:00Z
VFR
Wind
270° at 10 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the West (270°) at 10 kt. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 TEMPO 13:00Z - 16:00Z
VFR
Wind
280° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Winds from the West (280°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. 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.