Cape Town International Airport

FACT / CPT

Cape Town, ZA

Last Updated
Mar 15, 11:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 17 min ago
11:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
31°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 14°C
7 kt
200°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1010 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR FACT 151100Z 20007KT CAVOK 31/14 Q1010 NOSIG

Weather Briefing

VFR

Cape Town International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots. Runway 19 is favored with a 7-knot headwind and 1-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 31°C (88°F) with a dewpoint of 14°C, indicating very dry conditions. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 3 to 15 knots. There is a 30% probability of LIFR conditions between 01:00Z 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
1010 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1005 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (151 ft)
Pressure Alt
249 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,205 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +16.3°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF FACT 150400Z 1506/1612 VRB03KT CAVOK TX33/1512Z TN17/1604Z BECMG 1508/1510 19013KT BECMG 1519/1521 VRB03KT PROB30 TEMPO 1601/1604 BKN004 BECMG 1606/1608 18015KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:17Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >10km
19:00Z BECMG
+8h
VFR VRB 3 kt

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
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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
ACT
01
19 ✈️
16
34

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 01/19
Active: 19
10,502 ft 200 ft ASP 346°
6.9 kt 1.2 kt
10° angle
16/34 5,581 ft 151 ft ASP 136°
3.1 kt 6.3 kt
64° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - FACT

4,637 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
88.2%
MVFR
4.8%
IFR
4.4%
LIFR
2.7%

Cape Town International Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 88.2% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 12.8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 43 knots. Temperature extremes range from 6°C to 41°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are December, November, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 12.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 43 kt
Calm Winds: 0%
Direction Distribution:
N
5.4%
NE
1.2%
E
0.6%
SE
6.9%
S
53.8%
SW
19.2%
W
2.3%
NW
10.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 20.3°C
Range: 6°C to 41°C
6°C 41°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 2.4%

Best Months for VFR

December November October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt
Runway 16/34
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.5 kt

Statistics computed from 4,637 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Cape Town International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: FACT
IATA Code: CPT
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 151 ft MSL

Location

City: Cape Town
Country: ZA
Latitude: -33.964802°
Longitude: 18.601700°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-1

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 10,502 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 16/34
Length: 5,581 ft
Width: 151 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Cape Town International Airport

Overview

Cape Town International Airport (FACT) serves as the primary airport for Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Located at coordinates -33.964802, 18.601700, this large airport provides critical aviation infrastructure at an elevation of 151 feet mean sea level. The airport supports significant commercial and potentially regional aviation operations.

Flying Conditions

The airport features two paved runways: a primary runway 01/19 measuring 10,502 feet and a secondary runway 16/34 measuring 5,581 feet. These runway configurations provide flexibility for aircraft operations under varying wind conditions. Pilots should anticipate potential wind variations typical of coastal airport environments.

Notable Features

Cape Town's airport is situated in a coastal region with complex terrain surrounding the airport, including mountainous landscapes to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The airport's significant runway length allows for accommodating large commercial aircraft. Terrain and coastal proximity will likely influence local meteorological conditions and approach dynamics.

Approach Considerations

With two runways oriented in different directions, pilots have multiple approach options based on prevailing wind conditions. The longer 01/19 runway provides substantial landing and takeoff capabilities for larger aircraft. Careful attention to wind direction and potential terrain-induced turbulence is recommended during approach and departure procedures.

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.