ATIS Alerts

McClellan-Palomar Airport (KCRQ) Aviation Weather, METAR, TAF & ATIS Alerts

Live aviation weather for McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, CA, including METAR, TAF, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter, runway crosswinds, and Telegram airport alerts.

McClellan-Palomar Airport (KCRQ) is a regional airport serving Carlsbad, CA at 331 ft. KCRQ reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF — decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. Its 2 runways (06, 24) — longest 4,897 ft — are checked against the current wind in the crosswind table below. The official FAA airport diagram is at the bottom of the page. Track KCRQ 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.

MVFR
Observed 0553Z (10:53 PM PDT)live · refreshes every 60s
Wind
160° 5 kt
Visibility
10+ sm
Ceiling
1,100 ft
Altimeter
29.87"
Temp / Dew
21°C / 69°F
dew 18°C

Wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 5 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, overcast at 1,100 ft, temperature 21°C (69°F), altimeter 29.87 inHg. Conditions are Marginal VFR (MVFR), ceiling 1,100 ft.

Raw METAR
METAR KCRQ 290553Z AUTO 16005KT 10SM OVC011 21/18 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP113 T02060178 10239 20206 51018

What changed at KCRQ?

Since the 0453Z (9:53 PM PDT) report — compared automatically against the latest METAR.

No significant changes since the 0453Z report — conditions are holding steady.

This is exactly what ATIS Alerts watches for you — get a Telegram message when KCRQ's weather changes, free →

Current pilot readout for KCRQ

KCRQ is currently MVFR with winds from 160° at 5 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 1,100 ft ceiling. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway 06, about 5 knots. Density altitude is approximately 1,150 ft (field elevation 331 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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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 KCRQ. This is intended as a planning aid only and should not replace official performance calculations or pilot judgment.

RunwayHead / TailCrosswind
06FAV1 kt head5 kt right
241 kt tail5 kt left

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

24-hour trend

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

Wind (kt)Gusts (kt)Bottom strip — flight category:VFRMVFRIFRLIFRNo report
061206Z17Z05Z

Over the last 24 h: wind 05 kt, ceiling 900 ft1,100 ft.

KCRQ weather radar

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

Live weather radar around McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, CA: 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 KCRQ is headed.

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Loading radar…

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.

Pilot reports (PIREPs) within 100 NM of KCRQ

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

PIREP0501Z (10:01 PM PDT) · 24 NM S of KCRQ · 1,200 ft MSL · B38M
Show raw report
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0501/FL012/TP B38M/WX TOPS 018. BASES 012 DURD
SAN UAHeader — reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.
OV SANLocation — fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.
TM 0501Reported at 05:01 UTC.
FL012Altitude: 1,200 ft MSL.
TP B38MAircraft type reporting.
WX TOPS 018. BASES 012 DURDWeather and flight visibility observed.
PIREP0430Z (9:30 PM PDT) · 24 NM S of KCRQ · 1,100 ft MSL · B737
Show raw report
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0430/FL011/TP B737/WX TOPS 015. BASES 011 DURD
SAN UAHeader — reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.
OV SANLocation — fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.
TM 0430Reported at 04:30 UTC.
FL011Altitude: 1,100 ft MSL.
TP B737Aircraft type reporting.
WX TOPS 015. BASES 011 DURDWeather and flight visibility observed.
PIREP0305Z (8:05 PM PDT) · 78 NM N of KCRQ · 33,000 ft MSL · E75L
light chop turbulence
Show raw report
NID UA /OV VCV166010/TM 0305/FL330/TP E75L/TB LGT CHOP/RM AWC-WEB
NID UAHeader — reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.
OV VCV166010Location — fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.
TM 0305Reported at 03:05 UTC.
FL330Altitude: 33,000 ft MSL.
TP E75LAircraft type reporting.
TB LGT CHOPTurbulence: light chop.
RM AWC-WEBRemarks.

⚠️ PIREPs are unverified pilot reports. Not for operational use — conditions change between reports.

Recent aviation weather trends at KCRQ

From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.

Over the past 24 hours, KCRQ reported a mix of conditions, most often VFR across 29 observations, with 5 flight-category changes. The lowest ceiling was 700 ft. Wind most often came from the S.

Last 24 hours
VFR 41%MVFR 17%IFR 41%
Wind avg/max: 4/9 kt
Max gust:
Lowest ceiling: 700 ft
Lowest vis:
Prevailing wind: S
Category changes: 5

Most recent change: VFRMVFR

Last 7 days
VFR 66%MVFR 8%IFR 26%
Wind avg/max: 4/10 kt
Max gust: 16 kt
Lowest ceiling: 700 ft
Lowest vis: 7 sm
Prevailing wind: W
Category changes: 27

Most recent change: VFRMVFR

Active Runway - past 30 days
24
97%
06
3%

TAF — Terminal Aerodrome Forecast

Issued 0523Z (10:23 PM PDT)

TAF KCRQ 290523Z 2906/3006 VRB04KT P6SM BKN010 FM290800 VRB03KT P6SM OVC007 FM291600 VRB04KT P6SM BKN010 FM291800 23008KT P6SM SCT015 FM300300 VRB04KT P6SM OVC008

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Airport facts

Reference data from the OurAirports dataset.

Type
Regional airport
ICAO
KCRQ
IATA
CLD
FAA LID
CRQ
City
Carlsbad
State
California
Country
United States
Elevation
331 ft
Coordinates
33.1283, -117.2800
Runways
2
Longest runway
4,897 ft
Weather reporting
Reports METAR
TAF
Published
ATIS
120.15 MHz
CTAF
118.6 MHz
Time zone
America/Los_Angeles
Next sunset
20h 44m

Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed KCRQ's live status on your website — free →

Nearby airports

Compare nearby METAR/TAF stations within 25, 50 and 100 NM before departure or arrival.

RC flying fields nearby

AMA model-aircraft club fields around this airport — live wind, crosswind & flyability on each page.

All RC flying fields →

See all California airports →

Historical Flying Weather

2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index

Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, KCRQ reported VFR conditions during about 72.0% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 245 VFR flying days a year. January had the most VFR weather; June had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 3.6 kt, calm 33.5% of the time.

VFR Score
36
Wind Score
91
Reliability Score
44
National VFR rank
#1171 of 1,400
Regional rank
#23
State rank
#69
Full historical breakdown
Daylight VFR
72.0%
MVFR
21.2%
IFR
8.0%
LIFR
3.9%
Est. VFR days/yr
245
Most VFR month
January
Fewest VFR month
June
Median ceiling
1,400 ft
Median visibility
10 sm
Calm wind
33.5%
Median wind
3 kt
Gusty hours
2.4%
Crosswind >15 kt
0.1%
Fog/mist days/yr
134
Thunderstorm days/yr
4
Summer density alt
1,220 ft

Flight category by month

0%25%50%75%100%JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
VFRMVFRIFRLIFR
KCRQ monthly flight-category distribution, 2006–2025
MonthVFR %MVFR %IFR %LIFR %
Jan82.511.53.12.9
Feb79.313.23.54.0
Mar73.317.35.14.3
Apr66.823.86.13.3
May47.241.59.22.1
Jun42.336.517.24.1
Jul54.725.216.83.3
Aug62.521.412.43.7
Sep65.520.08.65.9
Oct72.117.95.05.0
Nov78.612.34.44.7
Dec79.612.84.03.6

Average wind by month

0.02.55.0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
KCRQ average wind by month, 2006–2025
MonthMean wind (kt)
Jan3.1 kt
Feb3.6 kt
Mar3.9 kt
Apr4.2 kt
May4.5 kt
Jun4.0 kt
Jul3.7 kt
Aug3.4 kt
Sep3.3 kt
Oct3.0 kt
Nov2.9 kt
Dec3.1 kt

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

KCRQ airport diagram

Official FAA taxiway and runway layout. Tap to zoom.

The FAA airport diagram for McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, CA shows the runway and taxiway layout across 2 runways, ramp areas, and hold-short positions — review it before taxiing at an unfamiliar field.

Official FAA airport diagram · d-TPP cycle 2608 · Not for navigation. Download the official FAA PDF ↗

KCRQ weather — frequently asked

What runways are available at KCRQ?+

KCRQ has 2 runways — 06, 24; the longest is 4,897 ft. This page computes the live crosswind for each runway end from the current wind.

Does KCRQ report its own weather?+

Yes — McClellan-Palomar Airport has its own weather station and publishes METAR observations, which this page decodes live.

Does KCRQ have a TAF?+

Yes — the TAF is shown on this page below the current conditions.

Does KCRQ broadcast D-ATIS?+

No — KCRQ does not broadcast D-ATIS. Alerts for KCRQ from the ATIS Alerts bot (@atisalerts_bot) are based on its METAR instead.

Where can I find the KCRQ airport diagram?+

The official FAA airport diagram for McClellan-Palomar Airport (KCRQ) is shown on this page — it maps the runway and taxiway layout, ramps, and hold-short lines. Tap it to zoom, or download the official FAA PDF free from the link under the diagram (updated every 28-day FAA charting cycle).

Pilot PIREPs for McClellan-Palomar Airport (KCRQ)

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 McClellan-Palomar Airport, 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 KCRQ 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.

From the ATIS Alerts team

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