USAF Academy Airfield (KAFF) Aviation Weather: METAR, TAF & ATIS

As of 10:55 AM MDT, Oct 27, KAFF is currently VFR with winds from 110° at 7 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported.

Live aviation weather for USAF Academy Airfield in Colorado Springs, CO, including METAR, TAF, ATIS, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter and runway crosswinds.

USAF Academy Airfield (KAFF) is a general aviation airport serving pilots in and around Colorado Springs, CO at a field elevation of 6,576 ft. KAFF reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF, decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. It has 4 physical runways (09/27, 16C/34C, 16L/34R, 16R/34L), the longest 4,501 ft. ATIS is broadcast on 128.525.

Ask ATIS AIAsk anything about KAFF's weather, runways or delays, or search another airport.

VFR

Observed 1655Z (10:55 AM MDT)live · refreshes every 60s

Wind

110° 7 kt

Visibility

10+ sm

Ceiling

Unlimited

Altimeter

30.06"

Temp / Dew

56°F / 14°C

dew 35°F / 2°C

Wind from the east-southeast (110°) at 7 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 ft, temperature 14°C (56°F), altimeter 30.06 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

Raw METAR

METAR KAFF 271655Z 11007KT 10SM SCT250 14/02 A3006 RMK AO2A SLP133 T01350015 PWINO $

What changed at KAFF?

Since the 1555Z (9:55 AM MDT) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.

Pressure falling: altimeter 30.08 → 30.06 inHg.
Temperature up 4°C.

Current pilot readout for KAFF

KAFF is currently VFR with winds from 110° at 7 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported. the wind favors east-facing runway ends (09). Density altitude is approximately 7,800 ft (field elevation 6,576 ft). Review the latest TAF below for forecast changes before departure.

KAFF by the numbers

What the long-run records say about flying here, computed for this airport alone.

90%

of daylight hours VFR, 2006 to 2025

KAFF reported VFR in 90% of daylight observations over 20 years, about 312 flyable days a year. August is the most reliable month and February the least, with IFR or worse 11% of the time. When conditions drop it is usually low ceilings rather than fog (ceilings under 1,000 ft 5% of hours, visibility under 3 miles 2%).

51%

of windy hours favor 34C, 34L, 34R

Over 20 years of hourly winds, the north-facing ends (34C, 34L, 34R) had the best headwind 51% of the time, the south-facing ends (16C, 16L, 16R) 31%, and winds were calm 11% of hours. Winds most often blow from the north. Crosswind on the best available runway topped 15 kt in under 1% of hours.

snow days a year

Snow fell on about 56 days a year and freezing rain or drizzle on 10. From December to February KAFF was IFR or worse 8% of the time, against 2% from June to August.

thunderstorm days a year

Thunderstorms were reported on about 65 days a year. 77% of storm hours fall in June, July and August, peaking in July when storms were in the air 5% of the time.

9,131 ft

typical summer-afternoon density altitude

Field elevation is 6,576 ft, but on a median summer afternoon the air performs like 9,131 ft, 2,555 ft higher. Plan for a longer takeoff roll and a weaker climb from June to August.

16%

of hours with gusts

Gusts showed up in 16% of hours, typically 8 kt above the steady wind, and the strongest credible gust on record was 87 kt. April is the windiest month (mean 9 kt) and August the calmest.

Sources: hourly observations 2006 to 2025 and the per-runway wind climatology 2006 to 2025. Historical summaries, not a forecast: check the current METAR, TAF and a briefing before flight.

New to aviation weather? How to read a METAR → · What VFR/MVFR/IFR mean → · Decode any METAR/TAF → · Density altitude calculator →

Runway wind check

Estimated head/tailwind and crosswind for each runway end from the current reported wind.

Runway	Length	Surface	Head / Tail	Crosswind
09FAV	2,493 ft	ASP	7 kt head	2 kt right
16C	4,501 ft	ASP	4 kt head	6 kt left
16R	4,500 ft	ASP	4 kt head	6 kt left
16L	3,513 ft	ASP	3 kt head	6 kt left
34R	3,513 ft	ASP	3 kt tail	6 kt right
34C	4,501 ft	ASP	4 kt tail	6 kt right
34L	4,500 ft	ASP	4 kt tail	6 kt right
27	2,493 ft	ASP	7 kt tail	2 kt left

Open the crosswind calculator to try your own wind and runway numbers →

KAFF runways

4 physical runways · 8 runway ends. Each card opens the runway's intelligence page: equipment and lighting, LAHSO, frequencies, today's configuration, predicted use, history and approaches.

Runway 09/27
2,493 × 75 ft · ASP
Closed (NOTAM)
Current use
no stated-runway source at KAFF
Wind
09
7 kt headwind · 2 kt crosswind from right
27
7 kt tailwind · 2 kt crosswind from left
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence →
Runway 16C/34C
4,501 × 75 ft · ASP
Status not monitored
Current use
no stated-runway source at KAFF
Wind
16C
4 kt headwind · 6 kt crosswind from left
34C
4 kt tailwind · 6 kt crosswind from right
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence →
Runway 16L/34R
3,513 × 75 ft · ASP
Status not monitored
Current use
no stated-runway source at KAFF
Wind
16L
3 kt headwind · 6 kt crosswind from left
34R
3 kt tailwind · 6 kt crosswind from right
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence →
Runway 16R/34L
4,500 × 40 ft · ASP
Status not monitored
Current use
no stated-runway source at KAFF
Wind
16R
4 kt headwind · 6 kt crosswind from left
34L
4 kt tailwind · 6 kt crosswind from right
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence →

“Current use” is what the facilitystates; wind components are arithmetic on the current METAR against TRUE headings; status reflects NOTAMs received through SWIM, the tower's TFDM record and the D-ATIS — a runway reads “Open” only with a complete NOTAM picture.

24-hour trend

Wind, ceiling and flight category over the last 24 hours.

Wind (kt)Gusts (kt)Bottom strip, flight category:VFRMVFRIFRLIFRNo report

Over the last 22 h: wind 9→7 kt, ceiling unlimited → unlimited.

KAFF weather radar

Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast. Drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.

Loading…

Loading radar…

Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © Stadia Maps © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap

NOAA NEXRAD composite and lightning, updated about every five minutes; amber frames are HRRR model guidance, not observed radar. Not for navigation.

Pilot reports (PIREPs) within 100 NM of KAFF

Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours, via aviationweather.gov.

PIREP1757Z (11:57 AM MDT) · 14 NM NE of KAFF · 41,000 ft MSL · C56Z

continuous moderate clear-air turbulence

Show raw report

COS UA /OV BRK340015/TM 1757/FL410/TP C56Z/TB CONS MOD CAT/RM ZDVWC

COS UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV BRK340015Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 1757Reported at 17:57 UTC.

FL410Altitude: 41,000 ft MSL.

TP C56ZAircraft type reporting.

TB CONS MOD CATTurbulence: continuous moderate clear-air turbulence.

RM ZDVWCRemarks.

PIREP1756Z (11:56 AM MDT) · 51 NM N of KAFF · 14,500 ft MSL · E170

smooth turbulence

Show raw report

DEN UA /OV 20NW/TM 1756/FL145/TP E170/TB SMOOTH

DEN UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV 20NWLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 1756Reported at 17:56 UTC.

FL145Altitude: 14,500 ft MSL.

TP E170Aircraft type reporting.

TB SMOOTHTurbulence: smooth.

PIREP1751Z (11:51 AM MDT) · 37 NM W of KAFF · 41,000 ft MSL · C68A

Show raw report

COS UA /OV BRK250045/TM 1751/FL410/TP C68A/RM MOD MTW +/-200FT ZDVWC

COS UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV BRK250045Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 1751Reported at 17:51 UTC.

FL410Altitude: 41,000 ft MSL.

TP C68AAircraft type reporting.

RM MOD MTW +/-200FT ZDVWCRemarks.

PIREP1745Z (11:45 AM MDT) · 69 NM NE of KAFF · during climb · A321

moderate 12,000–14,000 ft turbulence

Show raw report

AKO UA /OV TXC270026/TM 1745/FL180/TP A321/TB MOD 120-140/RM DURC ZDVWC-07

AKO UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV TXC270026Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 1745Reported at 17:45 UTC.

FL180Altitude: 18,000 ft MSL.

TP A321Aircraft type reporting.

TB MOD 120-140Turbulence: moderate 12,000–14,000 ft.

RM DURC ZDVWC-07Remarks.

PIREP1740Z (11:40 AM MDT) · 44 NM S of KAFF · 5,500 ft MSL · PA12

light turbulence

Show raw report

PUB UA /OV KPUB/TM 1740/FL055/TP PA12/TB LGT

PUB UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV KPUBLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 1740Reported at 17:40 UTC.

FL055Altitude: 5,500 ft MSL.

TP PA12Aircraft type reporting.

TB LGTTurbulence: light.

PIREP1736Z (11:36 AM MDT) · 48 NM N of KAFF · 7,000 ft MSL · CRJ2

Show raw report

DEN UA /OV DEN200003/TM 1736/FL070/TP CRJ2/TB NEG

DEN UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV DEN200003Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 1736Reported at 17:36 UTC.

FL070Altitude: 7,000 ft MSL.

TP CRJ2Aircraft type reporting.

TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.

PIREP1735Z (11:35 AM MDT) · 3 NM W of KAFF · 11,000 ft MSL · PA18

light to moderate 10,000–12,000 ft turbulence

Show raw report

AFF UA/OV KAFF270003/TM 1735/FL110/TP PA18/TB LGT-MOD 100-120

AFF UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV KAFF270003Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 1735Reported at 17:35 UTC.

FL110Altitude: 11,000 ft MSL.

TP PA18Aircraft type reporting.

TB LGT-MOD 100-120Turbulence: light to moderate 10,000–12,000 ft.

PIREP1728Z (11:28 AM MDT) · 45 NM NW of KAFF · 22,000 ft MSL · A320

Show raw report

DEN UA /OV DEN240035/TM 1728/FL220/TP A320/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC-06

DEN UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV DEN240035Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 1728Reported at 17:28 UTC.

FL220Altitude: 22,000 ft MSL.

TP A320Aircraft type reporting.

TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.

RM ZDVWC-06Remarks.

⚠️ 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 32 observations, with 6 flight-category changes. The strongest gust reached 17 kt, the lowest ceiling was 300 ft. Wind most often came from the S.

Last 24 hours

VFR 78%MVFR 16%IFR 3%LIFR 3%

Wind avg/max: 8/14 kt

Max gust: 17 kt

Lowest ceiling: 300 ft

Lowest vis: -

Prevailing wind: S

Category changes: 6

Most recent change: LIFR → VFR

Last 7 days

VFR 80%MVFR 7%IFR 8%LIFR 5%

Wind avg/max: 7/20 kt

Max gust: 25 kt

Lowest ceiling: 0 ft

Lowest vis: 0.38 sm

Prevailing wind: S

Category changes: 17

Most recent change: LIFR → VFR

Wind-favored runway - past 30 days

Share of hours each runway had the most headwind. From wind reports, not ATC assignments.

34C/34L/34R: 48%
16C/16L/16R: 41%
09: 8%
27: 3%

TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast

Issued 1338Z (7:38 AM MDT)

TAF COR KAFF 271338Z 2713/2817 15009KT 9000 BR BKN003 520204 QNH3004INS WND 070V200 ROTOR CONDS EXIST BECMG 2714/2715 17009KT 9999 FEW005 520105 QNH3002INS WND 070V200 ROTOR CONDS EXIST BECMG 2716/2717 16012KT 9999 SKC QNH3000INS BECMG 2806/2807 03012KT 9999 FEW250 560109 QNH2997INS WND 240V120 ROTOR CONDS EXIST BECMG 2815/2816 25014KT 9999 SCT250 520001 530109 QNH3003INS WND 120V300 TX20/2722Z TN03/2713Z

New to TAFs? How to read one →

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Live KAFF Weather

Live crosswind meter

Measured by KAFF's own weather station.

Headwind

7 kt

Crosswind (from the right)

2 kt

Wind is 15° off runway 09, the end with the most headwind right now.

Asphalt · 2,493 ft. Headings from FAA runway data. Not for navigation.

Field aerial

North up

Aerial photo of USAF Academy Airfield (KAFF) with runway 09/27, 16C/34C, 16L/34R, 16R/34L marked

N ↑

Runway 09/27, 16C/34C, 16L/34R, 16R/34L drawn from FAA threshold coordinates.

Imagery: USGS The National Map (public domain). Something off? ✏️ Suggest an edit

Airport info

From the FAA airport record (cycle 2026-10-01) and OurAirports.

Services

Attended: Mar 1 To Sep 30 Mon-Thur SR OR 1345Z++ local; Oct 1 To Feb 28/29 Fri SR OR 1345Z++ local; Sat 1430Z++ TO 2130Z++ local
Transient parking: Hangars
Landing fee: No
Control tower: Yes
Wind indicator: Unlighted

Airport

Type: General aviation airport
ICAO: KAFF
IATA: AFF
FAA LID: AFF
City: Colorado Springs
State: Colorado
Country: United States
Elevation: 6,576 ft
Coordinates: 38.9725, -104.8211
Runways: 4 physical runways · 8 runway ends
Longest runway: 4,501 ft
Weather reporting: Reports METAR
TAF: Published
ATIS: 128.525 MHz
Time zone: America/Denver
Sunset in: 5h 52m

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.

VFRMVFRIFRLIFRNo report

Within 25 NM

11 airports

KCOSCity of Colorado Springs Municipal AirportColorado Springs, CO12 nm SEVFR METAR · TAF K00VMeadow Lake AirportColorado Springs, CO12 nm EMETAR KFCSButts AAF (Fort Carson) Air FieldFort Carson, CO18 nm SVFR METAR · TAF CO54G W Flanders Ranch StripFalcon, CO9 nm E 52COMountain View Ranch AirportMonument, CO11 nm NE 36COFat Chance AirportPeyton, CO15 nm NE

+5 more within 25 NM

25–50 NM

5 airports

KAPACentennial AirportDenver, CO36 nm NVFR METAR · TAF KPUBPueblo Memorial AirportPueblo, CO44 nm SVFR METAR · TAF KBKFBuckley Space Force BaseAurora, CO44 nm NVFR METAR · TAF CD23Aero Bear FieldCalhan, CO27 nm NE 88COTranquila AirportYoder, CO27 nm E

50–100 NM

8 airports

KDENDenver International AirportDenver, CO54 nm NVFR METAR · TAF KLICLimon Municipal AirportLimon, CO57 nm EVFR METAR KBJCRocky Mountain Metropolitan AirportDenver, CO58 nm NVFR METAR · TAF KAEJCentral Colorado Regional AirportBuena Vista, CO62 nm WVFR METAR KANKSalida Airport - Harriet Alexander FieldSalida, CO63 nm SWVFR METAR KEIKErie Municipal AirportErie, CO63 nm NVFR METAR

+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

All RC flying fields →

See all Colorado airports →

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.

VFR Score

Wind Score

Reliability Score

National VFR rank

#234 of 1,400

Regional rank

#15

State rank

#27

Full historical breakdown

Daylight VFR

89.8%

MVFR

6.1%

IFR

3.0%

LIFR

2.5%

Est. VFR days/yr

312

Most VFR month

August

Fewest VFR month

February

Median ceiling

4,300 ft

Median visibility

10 sm

Calm wind

6.5%

Median wind

7 kt

Gusty hours

15.6%

Crosswind >15 kt

0.2%

Fog/mist days/yr

Thunderstorm days/yr

Summer density alt

9,131 ft

Flight category by month

VFRMVFRIFRLIFR

KAFF monthly flight-category distribution, 2006–2025
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

KAFF average wind by month, 2006–2025
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

Front Range flying weather Most VFR airports Windiest airports Flying Weather Index

Historical summary of past observations: not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.

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Pilot PIREPs for USAF Academy Airfield (KAFF)

Community-submitted

Community-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.

⚠️ 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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USAF Academy Airfield (KAFF) Aviation Weather: METAR, TAF & ATIS

What changed at KAFF?

Current pilot readout for KAFF

KAFF by the numbers

Runway wind check

KAFF runways

24-hour trend

KAFF weather radar

Pilot reports (PIREPs) within 100 NM of KAFF

Recent aviation weather trends at KAFF

TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast

Get KAFF weather alerts in Telegram

Live crosswind meter

Field aerial

Airport info

Services

Airport

Nearby airports

Within 25 NM

25–50 NM

50–100 NM

RC flying fields nearby

Historical Flying Weather at KAFF

Flight category by month

Average wind by month

Customize your AFF shirt or mug

Pilot PIREPs for USAF Academy Airfield (KAFF)