Prince Sultan Air Base

OEPS / AKH

Al Kharj, SA

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF OEPS 040900Z 0409/0515 VRB05KT 9999 SKC QNH2971INS BECMG 0410/0411 34010G15KT 9000 HZ SKC QNH2967INS TEMPO 0411/0415 34015G25KT 8000 BLDU BECMG 0417/0418 VRB06KT 9999 NSW SKC QNH2964INS BECMG 0509/0510 32010G15KT 9000 HZ SKC QNH2965INS TEMPO 0510/0515 32015G25KT 8000 BLDU TX45/0412Z TN27/0500Z

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
14:00Z
+-1h
Sat
15:00Z
+0h
Sat
16:00Z
+1h
Sat
17:00Z
+2h
Sat
18:00Z
+3h
Sat
19:00Z
+4h
Sat
20:00Z
+5h
Sat
21:00Z
+6h
Sat
22:00Z
+7h
Sat
23:00Z
+8h
Sun
00:00Z
+9h
Sun
01:00Z
+10h
Sun
02:00Z
+11h
Sun
03:00Z
+12h
Sun
04:00Z
+13h
Sun
05:00Z
+14h
Sun
06:00Z
+15h
Sun
07:00Z
+16h
Sun
08:00Z
+17h
Sun
09:00Z
+18h
Sun
10:00Z
+19h
Sun
11:00Z
+20h
Sun
12:00Z
+21h
Sun
13:00Z
+22h
Wind Dir
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
VRB
320°
NW
320°
NW
320°
NW
320°
NW
320°
NW
Wind Speed
5 kt
5 kt
5 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
6 kt
10 kt
G15 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
15 kt
G25 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
10+ km
9 km
8 km
8 km
8 km
8 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Haze
HZ
Blowing Dust
BLDU
Blowing Dust
BLDU
Blowing Dust
BLDU
Blowing Dust
BLDU
Clouds
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
☀️ CLR
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
Flight Rules VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
☀️
Day
🌇 18:47Z
☀️
Day
🌇 18:47Z
☀️
Day
🌇 18:47Z
🌇
Dusk
🌇 18:47Z
🌙
Night
🌇 18:47Z
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌙
Night
🌅 05:12Z
🌙
Night
🌅 05:12Z
🌅
Dawn
🌅 05:12Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:12Z
☀️
Day
🌅 05:12Z
☀️
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
VRB° at 5 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
CLR
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds will be variable in direction at 5 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Skies will be clear. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 10:00Z - 11:00Z
VFR
Wind
340° at 10 kt
Gusts: 15 kt
Visibility
9 km
Weather
Haze
Clouds
CLR
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the North-Northwest (340°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 15 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 9 km. Weather conditions: Haze. Skies will be clear. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 11:00Z - 15:00Z
MVFR
Wind
340° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
8 km
Weather
Blowing Dust
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Winds from the North-Northwest (340°) at 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 8 km. Weather conditions: Blowing Dust. Marginal VFR conditions - some restrictions for visual flying.

BECMG 17:00Z - 18:00Z
VFR
Wind
VRB° at 6 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
CLR
📖 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. Skies will be clear. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

BECMG 09:00Z - 10:00Z
VFR
Wind
320° at 10 kt
Gusts: 15 kt
Visibility
9 km
Weather
Haze
Clouds
CLR
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the Northwest (320°) at 10 kt. Gusts up to 15 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 9 km. Weather conditions: Haze. Skies will be clear. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 10:00Z - 15:00Z
MVFR
Wind
320° at 15 kt
Gusts: 25 kt
Visibility
8 km
Weather
Blowing Dust
📖 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 25 kt are expected. Visibility will be good at 8 km. Weather conditions: Blowing Dust. 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.