TAF Viewer

SA Weather Service TAF

SA Users: Copy the TAF in the window below and remove the "/" sign in the first ddhh/ddmm item. This needs only to be done for the first date/hour group.

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

  • SA Weather Service TAF

    FAJS 301600Z 30183124 10006KT 9999 SCT010 BKN060 TEMPO 3018/3022 5000 SHRA BKN008 FEW035CB BECMG 3022/3024 BKN008 TEMPO 3100/3106 3000 BR BKN004 FM310700 08010KT 9999 SCT020 BECMG 3112/3114 02010KT CAVOK BECMG 3118/3120 BKN015 TEMPO 3120/3124 4000 BR BKN008 TX26/3112ZTN15/3103Z=
  • FAPE 301600Z 30183118 23013KT 9999 SCT015 BKN040 PROB30 TEMPO 3022/3107 5000 -RA BKN005 TX24/3112ZTN17/3104Z=
  • FAEO 300600Z 3007/3018 03005KT 9999 BKN020 TEMPO 3000 SHRA BR BKN005 SCT025CB TX21/3012ZTN18/3007Z=

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.