Red Deer Regional Airport

CYQF / YQF

Springbrook, CA

Last Updated
Apr 22, 12:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 10 min ago
12:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
8°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -1°C
9 kt
350° G16 kt
9 SM
Visibility
13,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1002 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR CYQF 221200Z AUTO 35009G16KT 9SM SCT110 OVC130 08/M01 A2960 RMK SLP032 DENSITY ALT 3200FT

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 2,968 ft
SCT 11,000 ft AGL
OVC 13,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
11,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
13,968 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
13,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
15,968 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Red Deer Regional Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with overcast skies at 13,000 feet and 9 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the north (350°) at 9 knots with gusts to 16 knots. Runway 35 is favored with a 9-knot headwind and 0-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 9 SM. The ceiling is 13000 feet AGL (overcast), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 8°C (46°F) with a dewpoint of -1°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 12 hours. Conditions are expected to remain VFR throughout the forecast period. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain, FCST, FCST. Winds are forecast to reach up to 20 knots during the period. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 8 to 20 knots. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast with Light Showers Rain between 12:00Z and 16:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight.

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

QNH
1002 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
903 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (2,968 ft)
Pressure Alt
3,306 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 3,178 ft
ISA Deviation: -1.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF CYQF 221140Z 2212/2224 34008KT P6SM SCT080 OVC120 TEMPO 2212/2216 P6SM -SHRA OVC070 BECMG 2214/2216 35015G25KT FM221600 35015G25KT P6SM -SHRA BKN060 OVC080 FM221900 34020G30KT P6SM SCT050 BKN100 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 221800Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
12:10Z BASE
+0h
VFR 340° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 12,000 ft
14:00Z BECMG
+2h
VFR 350° 15 kt
16:00Z FM221600
+4h
VFR 350° 15 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 6,000 ft
Light Showers Rain
19:00Z FM221900
+7h
VFR 340° 20 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
FCST, FCST

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
YQF
12
30
17
35 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
12/30 3,449 ft 100 ft ASP 130°
6.9 kt 5.8 kt
140° angle
✈️ 17/35
Active: 35
7,500 ft 98 ft ASP 180°
9.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - CYQF

8,117 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
64.9%
MVFR
20.5%
IFR
10.8%
LIFR
3.7%

Red Deer Regional Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 64.9% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 14.5% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.6 knots, with gusts recorded up to 35 knots. Temperature extremes range from -34°C to 28°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Low visibility conditions (below 3 SM) occur in 5.5% of weather observations. The best months for VFR flying are October, September, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 35 kt
Calm Winds: 4.4%
Direction Distribution:
N
16.7%
NE
8.2%
E
7.8%
SE
11%
S
24.6%
SW
9.9%
W
5.7%
NW
11.7%

Temperature Range

Average: -4.5°C
Range: -34°C to 28°C
-34°C 28°C

Visibility

Average: 7.7 SM
Below 3 SM: 5.5%
Fog Frequency: 2.3%

Best Months for VFR

October September November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt
Runway 17/35
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.6 kt

Statistics computed from 8,117 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Red Deer Regional Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: CYQF
IATA Code: YQF
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 2,968 ft MSL

Location

City: Springbrook
Country: CA
Latitude: 52.182201°
Longitude: -113.893997°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 12/30
Length: 3,449 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 17/35
Length: 7,500 ft
Width: 98 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Red Deer Regional Airport

Overview

Red Deer Regional Airport serves central Alberta as a medium-sized airport located near Springbrook, strategically positioned between Calgary and Edmonton. The airport supports regional aviation with two paved runways capable of handling a variety of aircraft operations. Its elevation of 2,968 feet MSL places it in a terrain that requires careful altitude management during approach and departure.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Red Deer demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) predominating at 69.6% of observations. Pilots can expect challenging conditions during winter months, with temperatures ranging from -31°C to 28°C and an average of -3.7°C. The prevailing southerly winds at an average of 7.5 knots create generally stable approach conditions, with maximum wind speeds reaching 35 knots.

Notable Features

The airport features two asphalt runways: 12/30 measuring 3,449 feet and 17/35 extending 7,500 feet. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with minimal average crosswind components of 4.7 and 3.4 knots respectively. Visibility averages 7.8 statute miles, though pilots should be prepared for reduced visibility, with 4.3% of observations showing less than 3 statute miles.

Approach Considerations

September through November represent the most consistent VFR flying months, offering optimal approach conditions. Both runways provide reliable wind alignment, making runway selection straightforward based on current wind conditions. Pilots should be prepared for potential low visibility scenarios, with fog present in 2% of observations and occasional Marginal VFR (18.8%) or Instrument Flight Rules (8%) 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.