French Field (81ME) Area Aviation Weather & Runway Winds
Aviation weather near French Field in Ellsworth, ME, decoded from the nearest reporting station (KBGR) — conditions, runway crosswinds, and free Telegram airport alerts.
French Field (81ME) is a general aviation airport serving pilots in and around Ellsworth, ME at 338 ft. 81ME has no weather station of its own — conditions here are decoded from KBGR, about 15 nm away, the nearest reporting station, and local conditions can differ. Its 2 runways (15, 33) — longest 1,668 ft — are checked against the current wind in the crosswind table below. The nearest TAF is issued for KBGR. Track it in the ATIS Alerts Telegram bot to get alerts read from KBGR, the station this page is based on.
No weather station at this airport — showing the nearest station KBGR, 14.9 nm away.
Wind from the southeast (130°) at 4 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, overcast at 400 ft, temperature 18°C (65°F), altimeter 29.79 inHg. Conditions are Low IFR (LIFR), ceiling 400 ft.
METAR KBGR 290553Z 13004KT 10SM OVC004 18/17 A2979 RMK AO2 SLP085 T01830172 10200 20167 58000 $
Current pilot readout for 81ME
Based on the nearest station (KBGR), 81ME is currently LIFR with winds from 130° at 4 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 400 ft ceiling. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway 15, about 3 knots. Density altitude is approximately 1,000 ft (field elevation 338 ft). Review the latest TAF below for forecast changes before departure.
⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
New to aviation weather? How to read a METAR → · What VFR/MVFR/IFR mean → · Decode any METAR/TAF → · Density altitude calculator →
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Track 81ME free on TelegramRunway wind check
Estimated head/tailwind and crosswind for each runway end from the current reported wind.
Use this section to quickly compare current wind alignment across available runways at 81ME. This is intended as a planning aid only and should not replace official performance calculations or pilot judgment.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15FAV | 1,668 ft | Asphalt/Turf | 3 kt tail | 3 kt right |
| 33 | 1,668 ft | Asphalt/Turf | 3 kt tail | 3 kt right |
Open the crosswind calculator — try your own wind and runway numbers →
81ME weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast — drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
Live weather radar around French Field in Ellsworth, ME: the NOAA/NWS NEXRAD composite updates about every five minutes, with NOAA lightning strike density overlaid. The loop plays the past 50 minutes, then continues into a future-radar forecast (+1 to +4 hours, NOAA HRRR model) so you can see where precipitation around 81ME is headed.
Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © OpenStreetMap © CARTO
Forecast frames (amber label) are HRRR model guidance, not observed radar. Lightning strike density appears as a blue-white glow when strikes are detected in view. Radar and lightning coverage are limited in parts of Alaska, Hawaii, and offshore areas. Not for navigation.
Recent aviation weather trends at 81ME
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
History is still being collected — check back in a few days.
Most recent change: MVFR → IFR
- 15/33
- 100%
TAF — Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 0520Z (1:20 AM EDT)
TAF KBGR 290520Z 2906/3006 15004KT 3SM BR OVC005 FM290800 14005KT 1SM BR OVC004 FM291300 14007KT P6SM BKN012 FM291800 14011G20KT P6SM BKN045 FM300200 11004KT P6SM OVC026 FM300500 VRB02KT P6SM OVC008
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Airport facts
Reference data from the OurAirports dataset.
- Type
- General aviation airport
- FAA LID
- 81ME
- City
- Ellsworth
- State
- Maine
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 338 ft
- Coordinates
- 44.6199, -68.5946
- Runways
- 2
- Longest runway
- 1,668 ft
- Weather reporting
- Nearest station KBGR
- TAF
- Nearest KBGR
- Time zone
- America/New_York
- Next sunset
- 17h 56m
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Nearby airports
Compare nearby METAR/TAF stations within 25, 50 and 100 NM before departure or arrival.
Within 25 NM
8 airports+2 more within 25 NM
25–50 NM
8 airports+2 more within 50 NM
50–100 NM
8 airports+2 more within 100 NM
RC flying fields nearby
AMA model-aircraft club fields around this airport — live wind, crosswind & flyability on each page.
- Mid Coast Radio Control Club - Bryant Lane — Swanville, ME · 20 mi
81ME weather — frequently asked
What runways are available at 81ME?+
81ME has 2 runways — 15, 33; the longest is 1,668 ft. This page computes the live crosswind for each runway end from the current wind.
Where does the weather shown for 81ME come from?+
French Field does not have its own weather station. Conditions shown here come from the nearest reporting station, KBGR, about 15 nm away — close enough for situational awareness, but local conditions at 81ME can differ.
Does 81ME have a TAF?+
Yes — the KBGR TAF is shown on this page below the current conditions.
Does 81ME broadcast D-ATIS?+
No — 81ME does not broadcast D-ATIS. Alerts for 81ME from the ATIS Alerts bot (@atisalerts_bot) are based on its METAR (via the nearest reporting station) instead.
Pilot PIREPs for French Field (81ME)
Community-submittedCommunity-submitted airport notes from pilots about runway conditions, wildlife, FBOs, fuel, turbulence, ramp access, and local tips.
Read recent community-submitted pilot notes for French Field, including runway conditions, wildlife activity, FBO/fuel notes, turbulence, ramp access, and local airport tips.
⚠️ Pilot PIREPs on ATIS Alerts are community-submitted airport notes for situational awareness only. They are not official FAA PIREPs, NOTAMs, weather briefings, airport advisories, or flight-planning guidance. Always verify with official FAA/NWS sources, airport management, ATC, and current publications.
No Pilot PIREPs have been submitted for 81ME yet. Recently flew here? Help the next pilot by leaving a quick airport note.
Pilot PIREPs are community pilot notes for situational awareness only — not official FAA PIREPs or advisories. Verify with official sources. Notes are moderated before they appear; helpful marks and reports help us keep them useful.
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⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
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