RAF Northolt

EGWU / NHT

London, GB

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF EGWU 141923Z 1421/1515 04012KT 9999 SCT040 TEMPO 1421/1424 7000 SHRA SCT022CB PROB30 TEMPO 1501/1507 SCT012 TEMPO 1510/1515 7000 SHRA SCT024

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Fri
03:00Z
+-1h
Fri
04:00Z
+0h
Fri
05:00Z
+1h
Fri
06:00Z
+2h
Fri
07:00Z
+3h
Fri
08:00Z
+4h
Fri
09:00Z
+5h
Fri
10:00Z
+6h
Fri
11:00Z
+7h
Fri
12:00Z
+8h
Fri
13:00Z
+9h
Wind Dir
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
40°
NE
Wind Speed
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
12 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
7 km
7 km
7 km
7 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Showers Rain
SHRA
Showers Rain
SHRA
Showers Rain
SHRA
Showers Rain
SHRA
Clouds
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
SCT040
SCT024
SCT024
SCT024
SCT024
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:45Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:45Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:45Z
☀️
Day
🌅 04:45Z
☀️
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
40° at 12 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT040
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the Northeast (40°) at 12 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 4000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 21:00Z - 00:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
7 km
Weather
Showers Rain
Clouds
SCT022CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 7 km. Weather conditions: Showers Rain. Scattered clouds at 2200 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

PROB30 TEMPO 01:00Z - 07:00Z
VFR
Clouds
SCT012
📖 Plain English Explanation:

There is a 30% probability of: Scattered clouds at 1200 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 10:00Z - 15:00Z
MVFR
Visibility
7 km
Weather
Showers Rain
Clouds
SCT024
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be good at 7 km. Weather conditions: Showers Rain. Scattered clouds at 2400 feet. 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.