Skellefteå Airport

ESNS / SFT

Skellefteå, SE

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF ESNS 150530Z 1506/1515 16004KT 9999 BKN045 TEMPO 1509/1513 SHRA BKN035CB

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Fri
08:00Z
+-1h
Fri
09:00Z
+0h
Fri
10:00Z
+1h
Fri
11:00Z
+2h
Fri
12:00Z
+3h
Fri
13:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
160°
S
Wind Speed
4 kt
4 kt
4 kt
4 kt
4 kt
4 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
Showers Rain
SHRA
Showers Rain
SHRA
Showers Rain
SHRA
Showers Rain
SHRA
☀️ Clear
Clouds
BKN045
BKN035CB
BKN035CB
BKN035CB
BKN035CB
BKN045
Ceiling
4,500 ft
AGL
3,500 ft
AGL
3,500 ft
AGL
3,500 ft
AGL
3,500 ft
AGL
4,500 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
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
160° at 4 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
BKN045
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South-Southeast (160°) at 4 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Broken clouds at 4500 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 09:00Z - 13:00Z
MVFR
Weather
Showers Rain
Clouds
BKN035CB
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Weather conditions: Showers Rain. Broken clouds at 3500 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.