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 west-southwest (240°) at 10 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, no cloud data, temperature 28°C (82°F), altimeter 29.90 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
METAR KPMD 290453Z 24010KT 10SM CLR 28/08 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP092 T02780078 $
What changed at KPMD?
Since the 0353Z (8:53 PM PDT) report — compared automatically against the latest METAR.
No significant changes since the 0353Z report — conditions are holding steady.
This is exactly what ATIS Alerts watches for you — get a Telegram message when KPMD's weather changes, free →
Current pilot readout for KPMD
KPMD is currently VFR with winds from 240° at 10 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway 072, about 9 knots. Density altitude is approximately 4,700 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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Stop refreshing aviation weather manually. Track KPMD in ATIS Alerts and get notified when a new METAR changes the picture — a category drop, or wind and ceiling moving toward your minimums.
Track KPMD 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 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 | 10 kt head | 1 kt right |
| 25 | 12,002 ft | CON | 9 kt head | 4 kt left |
| 072 | 6,000 ft | CONC-E | 5 kt tail | 9 kt left |
| 252 | 6,000 ft | CONC-E | 5 kt tail | 9 kt left |
| 07 | 12,002 ft | CON | 9 kt tail | 4 kt right |
| 04 | 12,001 ft | CON | 10 kt tail | 1 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.
Over the last 23 h: wind 7→10 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 © 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 KPMD
Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours — via aviationweather.gov.
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 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 29 kt. Wind most often came from the W.
- 22
- 71%
- 25
- 27%
- 07
- 1%
- 072/252
- 1%
- 04
- 0%
TAF — Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 0024Z (5:24 PM PDT)
TAF KPMD 290024Z 2900/2924 25020G28KT P6SM SKC FM290300 25012KT P6SM SKC FM290800 20007KT P6SM SKC FM291400 VRB05KT P6SM SKC FM291900 25008KT P6SM SKC FM292200 24015G22KT P6SM SKC
New to TAFs? How to read one →
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We'll message you on Telegram the moment a new METAR changes the picture at KPMD (Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport) — flight category, wind, or ceiling past your minimums.
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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
- 21h 29m
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
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 2608 · 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.
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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