USAF Academy Airfield (KAFF) Aviation Weather, METAR, TAF & ATIS Alerts
Live aviation weather for USAF Academy Airfield in Colorado Springs, CO, including METAR, TAF, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter, runway crosswinds, and Telegram airport alerts.
USAF Academy Airfield (KAFF) is a general aviation airport serving pilots in and around Colorado Springs, CO at 6,572 ft. KAFF reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF, decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. Its 8 runways (09, 16C, 16L, 16R), longest 4,501 ft, are checked against the current wind in the crosswind table below. ATIS is broadcast on 128.525. Track KAFF in the ATIS Alerts Telegram bot to get a message when a new METAR changes the picture: flight category, wind, or ceiling past your selected minimums.
Wind from the south (170°) at 6 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, no cloud data, temperature 15°C (59°F), altimeter 30.24 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
METAR KAFF 130455Z 17006KT 10SM CLR 15/10 A3024 RMK AO2A SLP156 T01520100
What changed at KAFF?
Since the 0355Z (9:55 PM MDT) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.
No significant changes since the 0355Z report, conditions are holding steady.
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Current pilot readout for KAFF
KAFF is currently VFR with winds from 170° at 6 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway 09, about 6 knots. Density altitude is approximately 7,800 ft (field elevation 6,572 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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For pilots and crews overnighting at USAF Academy Airfield (KAFF).
Nearby Pilot Hotel Deals
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Runway 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 KAFF. This is intended as a planning aid only and should not replace official performance calculations or pilot judgment.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16CFAV | 4,501 ft | ASP | 6 kt head | 0 kt |
| 16L | 3,513 ft | ASP | 6 kt head | 0 kt |
| 16R | 4,500 ft | ASP | 6 kt head | 0 kt |
| 09 | 2,493 ft | ASP | 2 kt head | 6 kt right |
| 27 | 2,493 ft | ASP | 2 kt tail | 6 kt left |
| 34C | 4,501 ft | ASP | 6 kt tail | 0 kt |
| 34L | 4,500 ft | ASP | 6 kt tail | 0 kt |
| 34R | 3,513 ft | ASP | 6 kt tail | 0 kt |
Open the crosswind calculator to try your own wind and runway numbers →
24-hour trend
Wind, ceiling and flight category over the last 24 hours.
Over the last 23 h: wind 10→6 kt, ceiling unlimited → unlimited.
KAFF weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast. Drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
Live weather radar around USAF Academy Airfield in Colorado Springs, CO: 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 KAFF is headed.
Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © Stadia Maps © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap
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.
Pilot reports (PIREPs) within 100 NM of KAFF
Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours, via aviationweather.gov.
Show raw report
DEN UA /OV DEN218083/TM 0451/FL250/TP A21N/TB NEG/RM DURD ZDVWC
DEN UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV DEN218083Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 0451Reported at 04:51 UTC.FL250Altitude: 25,000 ft MSL.TP A21NAircraft type reporting.TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.RM DURD ZDVWCRemarks.Show raw report
DEN UA /OV 1 EAST/TM 0320/FL060/TP CRJ2/RM SMOOTH RIDE
DEN UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV 1 EASTLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 0320Reported at 03:20 UTC.FL060Altitude: 6,000 ft MSL.TP CRJ2Aircraft type reporting.RM SMOOTH RIDERemarks.Show raw report
DEN UA /OV DEN255039/TM 0258/FL220/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP/RM CONNR SID ZDVWC
DEN UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV DEN255039Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 0258Reported at 02:58 UTC.FL220Altitude: 22,000 ft MSL.TP A320Aircraft type reporting.TB LGT CHOPTurbulence: light chop.RM CONNR SID ZDVWCRemarks.Show raw report
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0226/FL080/TP A320/TB SMOOTH
DEN UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV DENLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 0226Reported at 02:26 UTC.FL080Altitude: 8,000 ft MSL.TP A320Aircraft type reporting.TB SMOOTHTurbulence: smooth.Show raw report
DEN UA /OV 50 NE/TM 0209/FL140/TP B739/TB MOD 140-110
DEN UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV 50 NELocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 0209Reported at 02:09 UTC.FL140Altitude: 14,000 ft MSL.TP B739Aircraft type reporting.TB MOD 140-110Turbulence: moderate 14,000–11,000 ft.Show raw report
EIK UA /OV DEN310025 /TM 0145 /FLUNKN /TP C182 /SK FEW140 /TB NEG /RM SMOOTH
EIK UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV DEN310025Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 0145Reported at 01:45 UTC.FLUNKNAltitude unknown.TP C182Aircraft type reporting.SK FEW140Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.RM SMOOTHRemarks.Show raw report
ASE UA /OV DBL138040/TM 0133/FL200/TP CRJ7/TB NEG /RM DURD HAREI STAR
ASE UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV DBL138040Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 0133Reported at 01:33 UTC.FL200Altitude: 20,000 ft MSL.TP CRJ7Aircraft type reporting.TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.RM DURD HAREI STARRemarks.Show raw report
DEN UA /OV DEN230060/TM 0131/FL230/TP A21N/TB LGT CHOP/RM SSKII STAR ZDVWC
DEN UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV DEN230060Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 0131Reported at 01:31 UTC.FL230Altitude: 23,000 ft MSL.TP A21NAircraft type reporting.TB LGT CHOPTurbulence: light chop.RM SSKII STAR ZDVWCRemarks.⚠️ PIREPs are unverified pilot reports. Not for operational use: conditions change between reports.
Recent aviation weather trends at KAFF
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, KAFF reported mostly VFR across 29 observations, with 0 flight-category changes. The strongest gust reached 39 kt, the lowest ceiling was 10,000 ft. Wind most often came from the N.
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
- 34C/34L/34R
- 52%
- 16C/16L/16R
- 32%
- 09
- 10%
- 27
- 6%
TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 1905Z (1:05 PM MDT)
TAF KAFF 121905Z 1219/1401 17014KT 9999 FEW100 QNH3011INS BECMG 1220/1221 16012G20KT 9999 VCSH BKN100 BKN200 520005 QNH3011INS TEMPO 1222/1301 VRB18G30KT -SHRA BECMG 1300/1301 16012KT 9999 NSW FEW100 QNH3016INS BECMG 1307/1308 16009KT 9999 FEW006 QNH3017INS BECMG 1311/1312 03007KT 9999 SKC 520104 QNH3018INS WND 270V060 ROTOR CONDS EXIST BECMG 1315/1316 27014KT 9999 SKC 520005 QNH3011INS BECMG 1318/1319 22014KT 9999 FEW100 510005 QNH3004INS WND 140V270 BECMG 1321/1322 20014KT 9999 SCT100 QNH3003INS WND 140V270 DRY MICROBURST CONDS EXIST TEMPO 1322/1401 VRB22G40KT VCSH BKN100 TX25/1222Z TN10/1312Z LAST NO AMDS AFT 1221 NEXT 1411
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Airport facts
Reference data from the OurAirports dataset.
- Type
- General aviation airport
- ICAO
- KAFF
- IATA
- AFF
- FAA LID
- AFF
- City
- Colorado Springs
- State
- Colorado
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 6,572 ft
- Coordinates
- 38.9725, -104.8211
- Runways
- 8
- Longest runway
- 4,501 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Published
- ATIS
- 128.525 MHz
- Time zone
- America/Denver
- Next sunset
- 19h 30m
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed KAFF's live status on your website, free →
Nearby airports
Compare nearby METAR/TAF stations within 25, 50 and 100 NM before departure or arrival.
Within 25 NM
11 airports+5 more within 25 NM
25–50 NM
5 airports50–100 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.
- Manitou Springs High School , Manitou Springs, CO · 9 mi
- Pikes Peak Soaring Society - Irma LN , Peyton, CO · 17 mi
- Pikes Peak RC Club - Judge Orr Rd , Peyton, CO · 17 mi
Historical Flying Weather at KAFF
2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index
Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, KAFF reported VFR conditions during about 89.8% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 312 VFR flying days a year. August had the most VFR weather; February had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 8.0 kt, calm 6.5% of the time.
Full historical breakdown
Flight category by month
| Month | VFR % | MVFR % | IFR % | LIFR % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 87.0 | 5.8 | 3.6 | 3.5 |
| Feb | 81.3 | 7.9 | 4.8 | 5.9 |
| Mar | 85.9 | 7.1 | 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Apr | 83.4 | 9.3 | 4.2 | 3.2 |
| May | 84.1 | 9.6 | 3.6 | 2.6 |
| Jun | 93.8 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 0.5 |
| Jul | 94.1 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 0.6 |
| Aug | 94.3 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.7 |
| Sep | 91.2 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 1.8 |
| Oct | 87.9 | 6.0 | 3.2 | 2.9 |
| Nov | 89.7 | 5.0 | 2.8 | 2.5 |
| Dec | 87.4 | 6.2 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
Average wind by month
| Month | Mean wind (kt) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 7.7 kt |
| Feb | 8.5 kt |
| Mar | 8.8 kt |
| Apr | 9.4 kt |
| May | 8.7 kt |
| Jun | 8.2 kt |
| Jul | 7.2 kt |
| Aug | 6.9 kt |
| Sep | 7.5 kt |
| Oct | 7.8 kt |
| Nov | 7.7 kt |
| Dec | 7.9 kt |
Historical summary of past observations: not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.
KAFF weather: frequently asked
What runways are available at KAFF?+
KAFF has 8 runways: 09, 16C, 16L, 16R, 27, 34C, 34L, 34R; the longest is 4,501 ft. This page computes the live crosswind for each runway end from the current wind.
Does KAFF report its own weather?+
Yes. USAF Academy Airfield has its own weather station and publishes METAR observations, which this page decodes live.
Does KAFF have a TAF?+
Yes. The TAF is shown on this page below the current conditions.
Does KAFF broadcast D-ATIS?+
No. KAFF does not broadcast D-ATIS. Alerts for KAFF from the ATIS Alerts bot (@atisalerts_bot) are based on its METAR instead.
Pilot PIREPs for USAF Academy Airfield (KAFF)
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 USAF Academy Airfield, 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 KAFF 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.
Why pilots use ATIS Alerts
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⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
No D-ATIS at this airport, showing METAR.
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