Wallops Flight Facility Airport (KWAL) Aviation Weather: METAR
As of 10:54 AM ET, Oct 28, KWAL is currently VFR with winds from 040° at 13 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 4,100 ft ceiling.
Live aviation weather for Wallops Flight Facility Airport in Wallops Island, VA, including METAR, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter and runway crosswinds.
Wallops Flight Facility Airport (KWAL) is a general aviation airport serving pilots in and around Wallops Island, VA at a field elevation of 40 ft. KWAL reports its own METAR, decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. It has 3 physical runways (04/22, 10/28, 17/35), the longest 8,748 ft. The official FAA airport diagram is at the bottom of the page.
Wind from the northeast (040°) at 13 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, overcast at 4,100 ft, temperature 18°C (65°F), altimeter 30.42 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR), ceiling 4,100 ft.
METAR KWAL 281454Z AUTO 04013KT 10SM OVC041 18/12 A3042 RMK AO2 SLP298 T01830122 51012
What changed at KWAL?
Since the 1354Z (9:54 AM EDT) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.
No significant changes since the 1354Z (9:54 AM EDT) report, conditions are holding steady.
Current pilot readout for KWAL
KWAL is currently VFR with winds from 040° at 13 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 4,100 ft ceiling. the wind favors northeast-facing runway ends (04). Density altitude is approximately -150 ft (field elevation 40 ft). KWAL does not publish a TAF. The nearest TAF station is KSBY, about 24 nm away.
KWAL by the numbers
What the long-run records say about flying here, computed for this airport alone.
KWAL reported VFR in 81% of daylight observations over 20 years, about 269 flyable days a year. July is the most reliable month and May the least, with IFR or worse 14% of the time. When conditions drop it is usually low ceilings rather than fog (ceilings under 1,000 ft 7% of hours, visibility under 3 miles 4%).
Over 20 years of hourly winds, runway 22 had the best headwind 25% of the time, runway 35 23%, and winds were calm 10% of hours. Winds most often blow from the south. Crosswind on the best available runway topped 15 kt in under 1% of hours.
Fog was reported on about 37 days a year, and fog or mist on 151. February and December are the foggiest months, with fog in 13% of hours, against 7% in August.
Thunderstorms were reported on about 23 days a year. 66% of storm hours fall in June, July and August, peaking in July when storms were in the air 1% of the time.
Gusts showed up in 16% of hours, typically 8 kt above the steady wind, and the strongest credible gust on record was 60 kt. March 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04FAV | 8,748 ft | PEM | 13 kt head | 2 kt right |
| 10 | 8,005 ft | ASP | 8 kt head | 10 kt left |
| 35 | 4,808 ft | ASP | 6 kt head | 12 kt right |
| 17 | 4,808 ft | ASP | 6 kt tail | 12 kt left |
| 28 | 8,005 ft | ASP | 8 kt tail | 10 kt right |
| 22 | 8,748 ft | PEM | 13 kt tail | 2 kt left |
Open the crosswind calculator to try your own wind and runway numbers →
KWAL runways
3 physical runways · 6 runway ends. Each card opens the runway's intelligence page: equipment and lighting, LAHSO, frequencies, today's configuration, predicted use, history and approaches.
- Closed (NOTAM)Runway 04/228,748 × 150 ft · PEMCurrent useno stated-runway source at KWALWind
- 04
- 13 kt headwind · 2 kt crosswind from right
- 22
- 13 kt tailwind · 2 kt crosswind from left
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence → - Status not monitoredRunway 10/288,005 × 200 ft · ASPCurrent useno stated-runway source at KWALWind
- 10
- 8 kt headwind · 10 kt crosswind from left
- 28
- 8 kt tailwind · 10 kt crosswind from right
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence → - Status not monitoredRunway 17/354,808 × 150 ft · ASPCurrent useno stated-runway source at KWALWind
- 17
- 6 kt tailwind · 12 kt crosswind from left
- 35
- 6 kt headwind · 12 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.
Over the last 23 h: wind 15→13 kt, ceiling unlimited → 4,100 ft.
KWAL weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast. Drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
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 KWAL
Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours, via aviationweather.gov.
Show raw report
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 1447/FL020/TP E170/SK BKN
RIC UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV RICLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1447Reported at 14:47 UTC.FL020Altitude: 2,000 ft MSL.TP E170Aircraft type reporting.SK BKNSky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.Show raw report
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 1400/FL018/TP CRJ9/SK BKN018 SCT040
RIC UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV RICLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1400Reported at 14:00 UTC.FL018Altitude: 1,800 ft MSL.TP CRJ9Aircraft type reporting.SK BKN018 SCT040Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.Show raw report
RIC UA /OV RIC RWY 34/TM 1358/FL018/TP E170/SK FIELD IN SIGHT 018 SCT 004
RIC UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV RIC RWY 34Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1358Reported at 13:58 UTC.FL018Altitude: 1,800 ft MSL.TP E170Aircraft type reporting.SK FIELD IN SIGHT 018 SCT 00…Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.Show raw report
ORF UA /OV PHF200010/TM 1340/FL040/TP BE20/SK BASES040
ORF UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV PHF200010Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1340Reported at 13:40 UTC.FL040Altitude: 4,000 ft MSL.TP BE20Aircraft type reporting.SK BASES040Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.Show raw report
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 1312/FL004/TP E175/SK OVC/WX 4SM
RIC UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV RICLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1312Reported at 13:12 UTC.FL004Altitude: 400 ft MSL.TP E175Aircraft type reporting.SK OVCSky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.WX 4SMWeather and flight visibility observed.Show raw report
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 1225/FLDURD/TP PC12/SK OVC/RM BASES 004
RIC UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV RICLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1225Reported at 12:25 UTC.FLDURDReported during descent.TP PC12Aircraft type reporting.SK OVCSky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.RM BASES 004Remarks.Show raw report
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 1154/FLDURD/TP B737/SK VV002/RM TOPS 004
RIC UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV RICLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1154Reported at 11:54 UTC.FLDURDReported during descent.TP B737Aircraft type reporting.SK VV002Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.RM TOPS 004Remarks.Show raw report
SBY UA /OV KSBY/TM 1144/FLUNKN/TP E145
SBY UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV KSBYLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1144Reported at 11:44 UTC.FLUNKNAltitude unknown.TP E145Aircraft type reporting.⚠️ PIREPs are unverified pilot reports. Not for operational use: conditions change between reports.
Recent aviation weather trends at KWAL
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, KWAL reported mostly VFR across 26 observations, with 2 flight-category changes. The lowest ceiling was 2,200 ft. Wind most often came from the NE.
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
Share of hours each runway had the most headwind. From wind reports, not ATC assignments.
- 35
- 30%
- 04
- 29%
- 22
- 15%
- 28
- 12%
- 10
- 7%
- 17
- 7%
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Live crosswind meter
Measured by KWAL's own weather station.
Wind is 7° off runway 04, the end with the most headwind right now.
Concrete · 8,748 ft. Headings from FAA runway data. Not for navigation.
Field aerial
North up
Runway 04/22, 10/28, 17/35 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
- Fuel
- Jet A
- Attended
- 24 hours
- Landing fee
- No
- Control tower
- Yes
- Wind indicator
- Lighted
Airport
- Type
- General aviation airport
- ICAO
- KWAL
- IATA
- WAL
- FAA LID
- WAL
- City
- Wallops Island
- State
- Virginia
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 40 ft
- Coordinates
- 37.9408, -75.4623
- Runways
- 3 physical runways · 6 runway ends
- Longest runway
- 8,748 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Nearest KSBY
- AWOS/ASOS
- 119.175 MHz
- CTAF
- 126.5 MHz
- Time zone
- America/New_York
- Sunset in
- 6h 52m
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed KWAL'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
8 airports+2 more within 50 NM
50–100 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.
- Midatlantic Radio Kontrol Society - Waybright Field , Salisbury, MD · 23 mi
Historical Flying Weather at KWAL
2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index
Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, KWAL reported VFR conditions during about 81.0% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 269 VFR flying days a year. July had the most VFR weather; May had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 7.8 kt, calm 8.3% of the time.
Full historical breakdown
Flight category by month
| Month | VFR % | MVFR % | IFR % | LIFR % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 80.5 | 8.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 |
| Feb | 80.4 | 7.4 | 6.2 | 6.0 |
| Mar | 80.0 | 9.0 | 5.6 | 5.4 |
| Apr | 82.3 | 7.7 | 5.0 | 4.9 |
| May | 77.0 | 9.3 | 7.0 | 6.7 |
| Jun | 81.8 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 3.2 |
| Jul | 84.9 | 12.1 | 2.1 | 0.9 |
| Aug | 84.0 | 12.1 | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| Sep | 79.2 | 13.4 | 5.5 | 1.9 |
| Oct | 79.6 | 11.2 | 6.4 | 2.9 |
| Nov | 83.8 | 8.3 | 4.1 | 3.8 |
| Dec | 78.8 | 9.8 | 4.9 | 6.5 |
Average wind by month
| Month | Mean wind (kt) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 7.9 kt |
| Feb | 8.3 kt |
| Mar | 9.1 kt |
| Apr | 9.0 kt |
| May | 8.3 kt |
| Jun | 7.8 kt |
| Jul | 7.0 kt |
| Aug | 6.7 kt |
| Sep | 7.7 kt |
| Oct | 7.5 kt |
| Nov | 7.3 kt |
| Dec | 7.2 kt |
Historical summary of past observations: not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.
KWAL airport diagram
Official FAA taxiway and runway layout. Tap to zoom.
Official FAA airport diagram · d-TPP cycle 2611 · Not for navigation. Download the official FAA PDF ↗
Customize your WAL shirt or mug
WAL's real runway layout on the back, elevation and tower frequency on the front. Add your tail number on the sleeve.
Pilot PIREPs for Wallops Flight Facility Airport (KWAL)
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 Wallops Flight Facility 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 KWAL 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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