Nanaimo Airport

CYCD / YCD

Nanaimo, CA

Last Updated
Jul 26, 04:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Stale 4 hours ago
04:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
18°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 13°C
4 kt
100°
20 SM
Visibility
4,200 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1015 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR CYCD 260400Z 10004KT 050V160 20SM BKN042 OVC063 18/13 A2996 RMK SC7SC1 LAST STFD OBS/NEXT 261300Z SLP148 DENSITY ALT 400FT

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 92 ft
BKN 4,200 ft AGL
OVC 6,300 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
4,200 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,292 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
6,300 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
6,392 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Nanaimo Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with overcast skies at 6,300 feet and 20 SM visibility. Note: This observation is 3.8 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the east (100°) at 4 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 20 SM. The ceiling is 4200 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 18°C (64°F) with a dewpoint of 13°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 4 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain, FCST. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Showers Rain, FCST between 00:00Z and 04:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1015 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1012 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (92 ft)
Pressure Alt
40 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 422 ft
ISA Deviation: +3.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF CYCD 252340Z 2600/2604 14010KT P6SM FEW020 BKN040 OVC060 TEMPO 2600/2604 P6SM -SHRA FEW006 BKN020 OVC030 RMK NXT FCST BY 261500Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
07:48Z BASE
+0h
VFR 140° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 4,000 ft

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
YCD
16 ✈️
34

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 16/34
Active: 16
6,602 ft 150 ft ASP 181°
2.0 kt 3.5 kt
60° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - CYCD

5,611 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
75.7%
MVFR
10.4%
IFR
10.5%
LIFR
3.5%

Nanaimo Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 75.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 14% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 5.6 knots. Calm conditions occur 17% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -6°C to 34°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are June, May, July.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 5.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 21 kt
Calm Winds: 17%
Direction Distribution:
E
12%
N
15.8%
S
10.8%
W
12%
NE
8.2%
NW
4.5%
SE
13.7%
SW
6.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 11°C
Range: -6°C to 34°C
-6°C 34°C

Visibility

Average: 17.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.7%
Fog Frequency: 2.8%

Best Months for VFR

June May July

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 16/34
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.3 kt

Statistics computed from 5,611 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Nanaimo Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: CYCD
IATA Code: YCD
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 92 ft MSL

Location

City: Nanaimo
Country: CA
Latitude: 49.054970°
Longitude: -123.869863°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 16/34
Length: 6,602 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Nanaimo Airport

Overview

Nanaimo Airport serves Vancouver Island's central region, located near the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia, Canada. As a medium-sized airport with a single runway (16/34) measuring 6,602 feet, it supports regional aviation operations and serves as an important transportation hub for the surrounding communities.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Nanaimo Airport exhibit significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions predominating at 63.9% of observations. Pilots can expect moderate wind conditions, with a prevailing southeast wind at 5.3 knots and occasional calm periods (23.5% of the time). Temperature ranges from -4°C to 28°C, with an average of 8.6°C, creating diverse flying environments throughout the year.

Notable Features

Situated at 92 feet above mean sea level, Nanaimo Airport is characterized by relatively low elevation and coastal terrain. The airport's geographical position near the Strait of Georgia influences local weather patterns, with potential marine layer impacts. Crosswind conditions are generally mild, averaging 2.8 knots on the primary runway 16/34.

Approach Considerations

Runway 16/34 demonstrates favorable wind alignment, with 100% wind compatibility. September through November represent the most consistent VFR months, offering optimal flying conditions. Pilots should anticipate potential reduced visibility scenarios, with observations showing 5.8% of reports featuring visibility below 3 statute miles and 5% experiencing fog conditions.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.