Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport (KPMD) Aviation Weather, METAR, TAF & ATIS Alerts
Live aviation weather for Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport in Palmdale, CA, including METAR, TAF, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter, runway crosswinds, and Telegram airport alerts.
Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport (KPMD) is a regional airport serving Palmdale, CA at 2,543 ft. KPMD reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF, decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. Its 6 runways (04, 07, 22, 25), longest 12,002 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 KPMD 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 southwest (220°) at 9 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, no cloud data, temperature 24°C (75°F), altimeter 29.97 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
METAR KPMD 130553Z AUTO 22009KT 10SM CLR 24/11 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP116 T02390106 10322 20239 51009 $
What changed at KPMD?
Since the 0453Z (9:53 PM PDT) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.
- Wind speed down from 14 to 9 kt.
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Current pilot readout for KPMD
KPMD is currently VFR with winds from 220° at 9 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway 07, about 6 knots. Density altitude is approximately 4,150 ft (field elevation 2,543 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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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 KPMD. This is intended as a planning aid only and should not replace official performance calculations or pilot judgment.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22FAV | 12,001 ft | CON | 9 kt head | 2 kt left |
| 25 | 12,002 ft | CON | 6 kt head | 6 kt left |
| 07 | 12,002 ft | CON | 6 kt tail | 6 kt right |
| 072 | 6,000 ft | CONC-E | 7 kt tail | 6 kt left |
| 252 | 6,000 ft | CONC-E | 7 kt tail | 6 kt left |
| 04 | 12,001 ft | CON | 9 kt tail | 2 kt right |
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 8→9 kt, ceiling unlimited → unlimited.
KPMD weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast. Drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
Live weather radar around Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport in Palmdale, 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 KPMD 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 KPMD
Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours, via aviationweather.gov.
Show raw report
KLAX UA /OV LAX061006/TM 0102/FL017/TP B738/RM 4 MILE FINAL RY24R TOPS 017 BASES 011
KLAX UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV LAX061006Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 0102Reported at 01:02 UTC.FL017Altitude: 1,700 ft MSL.TP B738Aircraft type reporting.RM 4 MILE FINAL RY24R TOPS 0…Remarks.⚠️ PIREPs are unverified pilot reports. Not for operational use: conditions change between reports.
Recent aviation weather trends at KPMD
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, KPMD reported mostly VFR across 24 observations, with 0 flight-category changes. The strongest gust reached 28 kt. Wind most often came from the SW.
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
- 22
- 65%
- 25
- 28%
- 07
- 4%
- 072/252
- 3%
- 04
- 0%
TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 0537Z (10:37 PM PDT)
TAF KPMD 130537Z 1306/1406 24010KT P6SM SKC FM131200 VRB03KT P6SM SKC FM131600 25010KT P6SM SKC FM131900 25016G24KT P6SM SKC FM140300 26010KT P6SM SKC
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Airport facts
Reference data from the OurAirports dataset.
- Type
- Regional airport
- ICAO
- KPMD
- IATA
- PMD
- FAA LID
- PMD
- City
- Palmdale
- State
- California
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 2,543 ft
- Coordinates
- 34.6294, -118.0850
- Runways
- 6
- Longest runway
- 12,002 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Published
- AWOS/ASOS
- 118.275 MHz
- CTAF
- 123.7 MHz
- Time zone
- America/Los_Angeles
- Next sunset
- 19h 35m
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed KPMD'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
8 airports+2 more within 25 NM
25–50 NM
10 airports+4 more within 50 NM
50–100 NM
6 airportsRC flying fields nearby
AMA model-aircraft club fields around this airport: live wind, crosswind & flyability on each page.
- Antelope Valley Tailwinds - Challenger Way , Lancaster, CA · 8 mi
- Foothill Aero Modelers - Garren Field , Llano, CA · 14 mi
- Rosamond Blvd , Rosamond, CA · 17 mi
Historical Flying Weather at KPMD
2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index
Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, KPMD reported VFR conditions during about 98.3% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 349 VFR flying days a year. June had the most VFR weather; December had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 8.6 kt, calm 12.6% of the time.
Full historical breakdown
Flight category by month
| Month | VFR % | MVFR % | IFR % | LIFR % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 96.2 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Feb | 96.6 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Mar | 97.4 | 2.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Apr | 98.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| May | 99.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 99.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 99.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 99.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 99.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 99.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Nov | 97.6 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Dec | 95.3 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.6 |
Average wind by month
| Month | Mean wind (kt) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 6.5 kt |
| Feb | 7.9 kt |
| Mar | 9.4 kt |
| Apr | 10.7 kt |
| May | 11.4 kt |
| Jun | 10.7 kt |
| Jul | 9.7 kt |
| Aug | 8.8 kt |
| Sep | 7.5 kt |
| Oct | 7.3 kt |
| Nov | 6.6 kt |
| Dec | 6.4 kt |
Historical summary of past observations: not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.
KPMD airport diagram
Official FAA taxiway and runway layout. Tap to zoom.
The FAA airport diagram for Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport in Palmdale, CA shows the runway and taxiway layout across 6 runways, ramp areas, and hold-short positions. Review it before taxiing at an unfamiliar field.
Official FAA airport diagram · d-TPP cycle 2610 · Not for navigation. Download the official FAA PDF ↗
KPMD weather: frequently asked
What runways are available at KPMD?+
KPMD has 6 runways: 04, 07, 22, 25, 072, 252; the longest is 12,002 ft. This page computes the live crosswind for each runway end from the current wind.
Does KPMD report its own weather?+
Yes. Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport has its own weather station and publishes METAR observations, which this page decodes live.
Does KPMD have a TAF?+
Yes. The TAF is shown on this page below the current conditions.
Does KPMD broadcast D-ATIS?+
No. KPMD does not broadcast D-ATIS. Alerts for KPMD from the ATIS Alerts bot (@atisalerts_bot) are based on its METAR instead.
Where can I find the KPMD airport diagram?+
The official FAA airport diagram for Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport (KPMD) 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 Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport (KPMD)
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 Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 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 KPMD 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.
No D-ATIS at this airport, showing METAR.
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