Santa Cruz Air Force Base

SBSC / SNZ

Rio de Janeiro, BR

Current TAF Forecast

Raw TAF:
TAF SBSC 032100Z 0400/0412 20006KT 9999 SCT020 TX21/0400Z TN20/0404Z TEMPO 0403/0406 3000 RA BKN010 BECMG 0407/0409 10003KT 5000 RA BKN020 RMK PEQ

Detailed TAF Table

Parameter
Sat
05:00Z
+-1h
Sat
06:00Z
+0h
Sat
07:00Z
+1h
Sat
08:00Z
+2h
Sat
09:00Z
+3h
Sat
10:00Z
+4h
Wind Dir
200°
S
200°
S
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
100°
E
Wind Speed
6 kt
6 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
3 kt
Visibility
10+ km
10+ km
5 km
5 km
5 km
5 km
Weather
☀️ Clear
☀️ Clear
Rain
RA
Rain
RA
Rain
RA
Rain
RA
Clouds
SCT020
SCT020
BKN020
BKN020
BKN020
BKN020
Ceiling
🌤️ Unlimited
🌤️ Unlimited
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
2,000 ft
AGL
Flight Rules VFR VFR MVFR MVFR MVFR MVFR
Day/Night
🌙
Night
🌅 06:45Z
🌙
Night
🌅 06:45Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:45Z
☀️
Day
🌅 06:45Z
☀️
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
200° at 6 kt
Visibility
10+ km
Clouds
SCT020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

This is the base forecast condition. Winds from the South-Southwest (200°) at 6 kt. Visibility will be excellent at 10+ km. Scattered clouds at 2000 feet. Conditions will be suitable for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.

TEMPO 03:00Z - 06:00Z
IFR
Visibility
3 km
Weather
Rain
Clouds
BKN010
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Temporary conditions (lasting less than an hour at a time) may include: Visibility will be moderate at 3 km. Weather conditions: Rain. Broken clouds at 1000 feet. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions - instrument flying required.

BECMG 07:00Z - 09:00Z
MVFR
Wind
100° at 3 kt
Visibility
5 km
Weather
Rain
Clouds
BKN020
📖 Plain English Explanation:

Conditions will gradually change to become: Winds from the East (100°) at 3 kt. Visibility will be good at 5 km. Weather conditions: Rain. Broken clouds at 2000 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.