Wick John O'Groats Airport

EGPC / WIC

Wick, GB

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF EGPC 141958Z 1421/1506 33018G28KT 9999 FEW020 SCT040 PROB30 TEMPO 1504/1506 8000 -SHRA

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Thu
23:00Z
+-1h
Fri
00:00Z
+0h
Fri
01:00Z
+1h
Fri
02:00Z
+2h
Fri
03:00Z
+3h
Fri
04:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
330°
NW
330°
NW
330°
NW
330°
NW
330°
NW
330°
NW
Wind Speed
18 kt
G28 kt
18 kt
G28 kt
18 kt
G28 kt
18 kt
G28 kt
18 kt
G28 kt
18 kt
G28 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
8 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Light Showers Rain
-SHRA
30%
Clouds
FEW020
SCT040
FEW020
SCT040
FEW020
SCT040
FEW020
SCT040
FEW020
SCT040
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:39Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:39Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:39Z
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
330° at 18 kt
Gusts: 28 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
FEW020 SCT040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the North-Northwest (330°) at 18 kt. Gusts up to 28 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Few clouds at 2000 feet, Scattered clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

PROB30 TEMPO 04:00Z - 06:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
8 km
Weather
Light Showers Rain
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Visibility will be good at 8 km. Weather conditions: Light Showers Rain. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

📚 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.