Nelson Mandela International Airport

GVNP / RAI

Praia, CV

Last Updated
Mar 4, 11:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 28 min ago
11:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
25°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 12°C
21 kt
50°
10+ km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1017 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR GVNP 041100Z 05021KT 9999 SCT019 25/12 Q1017 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 230 ft
SCT 1,900 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
1,900 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,130 ft AMSL
QNH
1017 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1009 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (230 ft)
Pressure Alt
118 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,373 ft
ISA Deviation: +10.5°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF GVNP 040500Z 0406/0512 04016KT 9999 SCT017 TEMPO 0411/0421 04018G28KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:27Z BASE
+0h
VFR 40° 16 kt
Visibility: 10+ km

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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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
VNP
03L ✈️
21R
03 ✈️
21
03R ✈️
21L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 03/21
Active: 03
6,890 ft 148 ft ASP 22°
19.7 kt 7.2 kt
20° angle
✈️ 03L/21R
Active: 03L
4,209 ft 98 ft ASP 22°
19.7 kt 7.2 kt
20° angle
✈️ 03R/21L
Active: 03R
6,876 ft 148 ft ASP 22°
19.7 kt 7.2 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - GVNP

3,861 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
80%
MVFR
15.8%
IFR
4.1%
LIFR
0.2%

Nelson Mandela International Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 80% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the NE averaging 12.3 knots, with gusts recorded up to 90 knots. Temperatures typically range between 18°C and 35°C with an average of 24.6°C. The best months for VFR flying are October, December, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NE (45°)
Average Speed: 12.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 90 kt
Calm Winds: 0%
Direction Distribution:
N
18.1%
NE
72.8%
E
4.9%
SE
0.8%
S
0.6%
SW
1.1%
W
0.5%
NW
1.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 24.6°C
Range: 18°C to 35°C
18°C 35°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

October December November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.9 kt
Runway 03L/21R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.9 kt
Runway 03R/21L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.9 kt

Statistics computed from 3,861 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Nelson Mandela International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: GVNP
IATA Code: RAI
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 230 ft MSL

Location

City: Praia
Country: CV
Latitude: 14.941126°
Longitude: -23.484728°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+2

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 6,890 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 03L/21R
Length: 4,209 ft
Width: 98 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 03R/21L
Length: 6,876 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Nelson Mandela International Airport

Overview

Nelson Mandela International Airport serves Praia, the capital city of Cape Verde, located on Santiago Island. As a large airport with three asphalted runways, it provides critical aviation infrastructure for international and regional air transportation in the archipelago. The airport's elevation at 230 ft above mean sea level offers relatively straightforward terrain considerations for arriving and departing aircraft.

Flying Conditions

Cape Verde's maritime tropical climate produces generally stable weather conditions with minimal seasonal variation. Pilots can expect predominantly dry conditions with consistent winds, which is typical for island environments. The airport's three parallel runways (03/21 series) provide excellent wind flexibility, allowing operations across multiple runway configurations.

Notable Features

The airport's geographic position on Santiago Island introduces specific navigational considerations for pilots, with surrounding terrain potentially influencing local wind patterns. Three parallel runways of substantial length - 6890ft, 4209ft, and 6876ft respectively - provide robust operational capacity for various aircraft types. The airport's coastal location may generate localized wind shear and thermal effects that pilots should anticipate during approach and departure.

Approach Considerations

Runway 03/21 configurations offer multiple options for landing and takeoff, with the longest runways providing optimal operational flexibility. The airport's layout allows for crosswind landing options, which is particularly beneficial given potential maritime wind characteristics. Pilots should conduct standard terrain and wind assessments during pre-flight planning, paying particular attention to potential localized wind variations around the island environment.

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.