Westover Metropolitan Airport / Westover Air Reserve Base

KCEF / CEF

Chicopee, US

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF AMD KCEF 040205Z 0402/0506 29010G18KT 9999 VCTS BKN060CB SCT120 BKN200 QNH2980INS TEMPO 0402/0404 32015G30KT 3200 -TSRA SCT025 BKN050CB OVC090 BECMG 0404/0405 VRB06KT 9999 NSW SCT060 SCT200 QNH2982INS BECMG 0412/0413 30012KT 9999 SCT060 SCT200 QNH2978INS BECMG 0417/0418 30010G18KT 9999 VCTS BKN060CB BKN120 BKN200 QNH2975INS TEMPO 0419/0424 31015G30KT 3200 -TSRA SCT025 BKN050CB OVC090 BECMG 0500/0501 33009KT 9999 NSW SCT090 BKN250 QNH2976INS TX36/0420Z TN22/0409Z LAST NO AMDS AFT 0403 NEXT 0517

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sun
02:00Z
+-1h
Sun
03:00Z
+0h
Sun
04:00Z
+1h
Wind Dir
290°
W
290°
W
290°
W
Wind Speed
10 kt
G18 kt
10 kt
G18 kt
10 kt
G18 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Clouds
BKN060CB
SCT120
BKN060CB
SCT120
BKN060CB
SCT120
Ceiling
6,000 ft
AGL
6,000 ft
AGL
6,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 04:41Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:41Z
🌙
Night
🌅 04:41Z
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
MVFR
Wind
290° at 10 kt
Gusts: 18 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
BKN060CB SCT120 BKN200
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the West-Northwest (290°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 18 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Broken clouds at 6000 feet, Scattered clouds at 12000 feet, Broken clouds at 20000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 02:00Z - 04:00Z
IFR
Wind
320° at 15 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
Visibility
3.2 km
Weather
Light Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
SCT025 BKN050CB OVC090
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds from the Northwest (320°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 30 kt are expected. Visibility will be moderate at 3.2 km. Weather conditions: Light Thunderstorm Rain. Scattered clouds at 2500 feet, Broken clouds at 5000 feet, Overcast skies at 9000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 04:00Z - 05:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 6 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT060 SCT200
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds will be variable in direction at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 6000 feet, Scattered clouds at 20000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 12:00Z - 13:00Z
VFR
Wind
300° at 12 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT060 SCT200
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the West-Northwest (300°) at 12 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 6000 feet, Scattered clouds at 20000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 17:00Z - 18:00Z
MVFR
Wind
300° at 10 kt
Gusts: 18 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
BKN060CB BKN120 BKN200
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the West-Northwest (300°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 18 kt are expected. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Broken clouds at 6000 feet, Broken clouds at 12000 feet, Broken clouds at 20000 feet. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

TEMPO 19:00Z - 00:00Z
IFR
Wind
310° at 15 kt
Gusts: 30 kt
Visibility
3.2 km
Weather
Light Thunderstorm Rain
Clouds
SCT025 BKN050CB OVC090
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds from the Northwest (310°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 30 kt are expected. Visibility will be moderate at 3.2 km. Weather conditions: Light Thunderstorm Rain. Scattered clouds at 2500 feet, Broken clouds at 5000 feet, Overcast skies at 9000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 00:00Z - 01:00Z
LIFR
Wind
330° at 9 kt
Visibility
0.517 km
Clouds
SCT090 BKN250
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the North-Northwest (330°) at 9 kt. Visibility will be poor at 0.517 km. Scattered clouds at 9000 feet, Broken clouds at 25000 feet. Low IFR conditions - challenging even for instrument 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.