goFLYING

This is a learning aid intended to help students understand some of the most common codes found on a TAF forecast. It shows a visual representation of a TAF, including cloud layers, visibility and precipitation.

Copy (CTRL-C) and paste (CTRL-V) a forecast into the form in the applet, and press update. Then press hide to see the images. If the TAF is split into multiple sections, use the buttons on the right hand side to see each view. See below for some example forecasts, plus details of the assumptions made and the limitations of the applet.

Important: This applet is experimental and is intended as a learning aid only. It is not intended to help you decide whether to fly.

Example TAFs

• XMPL 011805Z 011902 23011KT 9999 SCT035 BECMG 2302 22015G25KT 4000 BKN020CB PROB40 TEMPO 0002 2000 +TSRA
• XMPL 011805Z 011902 23011KT 7000 BKN025 RASN BECMG 2302 22015G25KT 4000 OVC020CB PROB40 TEMPO 0002 2000 +TSRA
• XMPL 011625Z 011818 24012KT 9999 BKN028 BECMG 2302 22015G25KT BKN022 PROB30 TEMPO 0205 BKN014 TEMPO 0511 4000 RADZ BKN010 BECMG 1113 26020G32KT SCT025
• XMPL 011635Z 011812 23015KT 9999 SCT020 SCT040 BECMG 2023 23018G30KT BECMG 0104 23023G35KT 7000 -RA BKN012 TEMPO 0408 3000 RADZ BKN006 BECMG 0912 26020G32KT 9999 NSW SCT015 BKN025

Assumptions and limitations

The following assumptions are made when interpreting TAFs, and may not reflect the actual conditions.

• Cloud layers are always shown as approximately 1000 feet thick.
• Cumulonimbus couds may be as much as 30,000 feet tall, and are shown 2000' tall for clarity.
• Rain is always shown falling from the lowest cloud layer.
• Haze or fog is shown to gradually clear over a 2000' band above the lowest cloud layer.
• Only visibility, cloud layers below 10000', rain, snow and hail are illustrated. Various other weather conditions such as sandstorms (SS), pellets (PE) and ice crystals (IC) are not shown. No distinction is made between different types of obscuration.