Definition
The section of an Area Forecast (FA) that describes expected sky condition, cloud heights, visibility, and weather phenomena over a wide region for the next 12 hours, plus a 6-hour categorical outlook. Cloud heights are given as heights above mean sea level (MSL) unless noted as ceilings (CIG), in which case they are above ground level (AGL). Visibility is assumed greater than 6 statute miles and weather is assumed clear unless otherwise stated.
Plain English
The part of a regional weather forecast that tells you what the clouds, visibility, and weather are expected to do over a large area, written mainly for pilots flying by visual reference.
Context Anchor
Seen when reading an Area Forecast in the aviation weather material, especially when checking whether a route may stay suitable for visual flying.
Derivation
VFR stands for visual flight rules. “Visual” is the key idea: the pilot must be able to fly with enough outside view of the ground, horizon, traffic, and clouds to operate safely under those rules.
Why Pilots Care
Helps a pilot decide whether the forecast weather will allow safe visual flight or whether instrument flight rules will be required instead.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a guarantee that a VFR flight is legal or safe everywhere in the area. It is a forecast section that describes expected clouds and weather; the pilot still has to compare those conditions with the flight being planned.
Example Sentence 1
Before her cross-country, she read the VFR Clouds and Weather section of the Area Forecast and saw scattered clouds at 8,000 feet MSL with visibility greater than 6 miles.
Example Sentence 2
The VFR Clouds and Weather forecast showed broken layers near the mountains, so we delayed departure until conditions improved.