Gander International Airport / CFB Gander

CYQX / YQX

Gander, CA

Last Updated
Mar 13, 10:53Z

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a Canadian Forces Base (CFB). Civil access requires prior authorization.

Access Notes:

CFB installations generally restricted to civil traffic

Consult official AIP (Canada AIP ENR 5.2) for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 7 min ago
10:53Z

☀️ Day
LIFR
Flight Rules
3°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 3°C
3 kt
10°
--
Visibility
400 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
994 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI CYQX 131053Z 01003KT 1/2SM R03/2600V3500FT/N R13/2800V3000FT/N -DZ FG OVC004 03/03 A2935 RMK FG6SF2 CIG VRB 003-005 PRESFR SLP945

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 496 ft
OVC 400 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
400 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
896 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

LIFR

Gander International Airport / CFB Gander is currently reporting low IFR (LIFR) conditions with overcast skies at 400 feet.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the north (10°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

The ceiling is very low at 400 feet AGL (overcast), well below circling minimums at most airports.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 3°C (37°F) with a dewpoint of 3°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 23 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Light Drizzle, Light Rain, Mist, Light Rain, Mist, Light Showers Snow, Light Showers Snow, Blowing Snow, FCST. Winds are forecast to reach up to 30 knots during the period. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 10 to 30 knots. Temporary LIFR conditions are forecast with Light Drizzle, Light Rain, Mist between 07:00Z and 09:00Z. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Light Rain, Mist between 09:00Z and 17:00Z. There is a 30% probability of IFR conditions with Light Showers Snow, Blowing Snow between 20:00Z and 05:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Current conditions require an instrument rating, IFR-equipped aircraft, and an IFR clearance. Check approach minimums carefully as conditions may be below CAT I ILS minimums. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours.

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

QNH
994 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
977 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (496 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,074 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -247 ft
ISA Deviation: -11.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF AMD CYQX 130738Z 1307/1406 23010G20KT P6SM OVC008 TEMPO 1307/1309 4SM -DZ -RA BR OVC002 FM130900 22015G25KT 3SM -RA BR OVC003 TEMPO 1309/1317 6SM -RA BR OVC012 BECMG 1315/1317 20020G30KT FM131700 20025G35KT 6SM -RA BR OVC015 FM132000 26030G42KT 4SM -SHSN OVC020 PROB30 1320/1405 1SM -SHSN BLSN VV007 FM140500 27020G30KT P6SM SCT030 RMK NXT FCST BY 131200Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:00Z BASE
+0h
IFR 230° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 800 ft
15:00Z BECMG
+4h
VFR 200° 20 kt
17:00Z FM131700
+6h
MVFR 200° 25 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
Light Rain, Mist
20:00Z FM132000
+9h
MVFR 260° 30 kt
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 2,000 ft
Light Showers Snow

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
Chart Features
  • • Hover for exact values and timestamps
  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
  • • Zoom and pan for detailed analysis
  • • Units automatically converted to preferences
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
YQX
03 ✈️
21
09
27
13
31

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 03/21
Active: 03
10,200 ft 200 ft ASP 11°
2.8 kt 1.0 kt
20° angle
09/27 1,875 ft 50 ft ASP 62°
1.8 kt 2.4 kt
52° angle
13/31 8,900 ft 200 ft ASP 107°
0.4 kt 3.0 kt
97° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - CYQX

6,254 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
41.5%
MVFR
21.3%
IFR
21.5%
LIFR
15.7%

Gander International Airport / CFB Gander is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 41.5% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 37.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 12.7 knots, with gusts recorded up to 52 knots. Temperature extremes range from -18°C to 25°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Fog is a notable factor, occurring in approximately 14.9% of observations, with visibility below 3 SM in 7% of reports. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, December.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 12.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 52 kt
Calm Winds: 0.3%
Direction Distribution:
N
18.6%
NE
5%
E
8.1%
SE
8.3%
S
11.5%
SW
14.9%
W
25.6%
NW
7.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 0.7°C
Range: -18°C to 25°C
-18°C 25°C

Visibility

Average: 13.5 SM
Below 3 SM: 7%
Fog Frequency: 14.9%

Best Months for VFR

September October December

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 8.3 kt
Runway 09/27
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7.7 kt
Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 8.3 kt

Statistics computed from 6,254 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Gander International Airport / CFB Gander - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: CYQX
IATA Code: YQX
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 496 ft MSL

Location

City: Gander
Country: CA
Latitude: 48.936258°
Longitude: -54.567719°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+4

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 10,200 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 09/27
Length: 1,875 ft
Width: 50 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 13/31
Length: 8,900 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Gander International Airport / CFB Gander

Gander International Airport / CFB Gander is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the CA AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

Gander International Airport serves as a strategic aviation hub located in Newfoundland, Canada. Positioned at an elevation of 496 ft MSL, the airport supports both civilian and military operations with three substantial asphalt runways. Its significant runway lengths (10,200ft, 8,900ft, and 1,875ft) enable accommodating diverse aircraft types and operational requirements.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Gander are characterized by significant variability, with instrument meteorological conditions prevalent. Statistical observations indicate that only 45.3% of conditions are VFR, with MVFR, IFR, and LIFR conditions accounting for the remaining 54.7%. Winds predominantly originate from the west at an average of 12.7 knots, with occasional extreme gusts reaching 52 knots, and temperatures ranging from -13°C to 25°C.

Notable Features

The airport's geographic positioning makes it a critical trans-Atlantic aviation waypoint, with three runways offering multiple landing options. Its proximity to the North Atlantic creates dynamic weather patterns, with fog present in 15.4% of observations and visibility averaging 14 statute miles. The consistent 100% favorable wind alignments for all runways provide flexible operational capabilities.

Approach Considerations

Pilots should anticipate potential instrument meteorological conditions, with September, October, and December offering the most favorable VFR conditions. Crosswind components remain relatively consistent across runways, averaging 8.2 knots. The extensive primary runway (03/21 at 10,200ft) provides substantial margin for most aircraft types, supporting reliable approach and landing operations.

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.