K. D. Matanzima Airport

FAUT / UTT

Mthatha, ZA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF FAUT 150600Z 1507/1518 VRB01KT 4500 BR FEW004 TX23/1511Z TN14/1518Z BECMG 1507/1509 CAVOK BECMG 1511/1513 14010KT

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Fri
07:00Z
+-1h
Fri
08:00Z
+0h
Fri
09:00Z
+1h
Fri
10:00Z
+2h
Fri
11:00Z
+3h
Fri
12:00Z
+4h
Fri
13:00Z
+5h
Fri
14:00Z
+6h
Fri
15:00Z
+7h
Fri
16:00Z
+8h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
140°
SE
140°
SE
140°
SE
140°
SE
140°
SE
140°
SE
140°
SE
140°
SE
Wind Speed
1 kt
1 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
10 kt
Visibility
4.5 km
4.5 km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
>10km
Weather
Mist
BR
Mist
BR
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
FEW004
FEW004
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules IFR IFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
🌅 06:49Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:49Z
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 17:10Z
☀️
Day
🌇 17:10Z
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
IFR
Wind
VRB° at 1 kt
Visibility
4.5 km
Weather
Mist
Clouds
FEW004
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 1 kt. Visibility will be moderate at 4.5 km. Weather conditions: Mist. Few clouds at 400 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 07:00Z - 09:00Z
VFR
Visibility
>10km
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Visibility will be excellent at more than 10km. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 11:00Z - 13:00Z
VFR
Wind
140° at 10 kt
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the Southeast (140°) at 10 kt. 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.