Laurence G Hanscom Field

KBED / BED

Bedford, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 18:51Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 30 min ago
18:51Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
9°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -1°C
5 kt
220°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1022 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KBED 041851Z 22005KT 10SM CLR 09/M01 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP236 T00891006
QNH
1022 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1018 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (133 ft)
Pressure Alt
-130 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -818 ft
ISA Deviation: -5.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KBED 041732Z 0418/0518 25005KT P6SM FEW250 FM050300 00000KT 3SM BR BKN010 FM050700 23003KT 1SM BR BKN008 TEMPO 0507/0510 1/4SM FG FM051400 01003KT 4SM BR OVC008 FM051600 04006KT 6SM BR OVC010
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
19:21Z BASE
+0h
VFR 250° 5 kt
Visibility: >6SM
03:00Z FM050300
+8h
IFR
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 1,000 ft
Mist
07:00Z FM050700
+12h
IFR 230° 3 kt
Visibility: 1SM
Ceiling: 800 ft
Mist
07:00Z TEMPO
+12h
MVFR
Visibility: 1/4SM
Fog

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
BED
05
23 ✈️
11
29

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 05/23
Active: 23
5,106 ft 150 ft ASP 37°
4.9 kt 0.9 kt
10° angle
11/29 7,001 ft 150 ft ASP 97°
2.7 kt 4.2 kt
123° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KBED

4,741 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
75.4%
MVFR
12.4%
IFR
9.3%
LIFR
2.9%

Laurence G Hanscom Field typically experiences VFR conditions 75.4% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 12.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 7.8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 32 knots. Calm conditions occur 23.7% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -23°C to 29°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are November, September, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 7.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 32 kt
Calm Winds: 23.7%
Direction Distribution:
N
9.1%
NE
4.9%
E
4.5%
SE
2.9%
S
8.9%
SW
13.1%
W
20.4%
NW
12.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 2.8°C
Range: -23°C to 29°C
-23°C 29°C

Visibility

Average: 9.1 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.7%
Fog Frequency: 2.9%

Best Months for VFR

November September February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt
Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt

Statistics computed from 4,741 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Laurence G Hanscom Field - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KBED
IATA Code: BED
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 133 ft MSL

Location

City: Bedford
Country: US
Latitude: 42.470001°
Longitude: -71.289001°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 5,106 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 11/29
Length: 7,001 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Laurence G Hanscom Field

Overview

Laurence G Hanscom Field serves the greater Boston metropolitan area, located in Bedford, Massachusetts. As a medium-sized airport positioned at 133 feet above mean sea level, it provides critical aviation infrastructure for general aviation, corporate, and military operations in the northeastern United States.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Hanscom Field demonstrate significant variability, with visual flight rules (VFR) predominating at 74.9% of observed periods. Pilots can expect westerly winds averaging 7.8 knots, with temperature ranges spanning from -17°C to 29°C, creating diverse flying environments throughout the year. November, September, and December offer the most consistently favorable VFR conditions.

Notable Features

The airport features two asphalt runways: Runway 05/23 at 5,106 feet and Runway 11/29 at 7,001 feet, providing flexible operational capabilities. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with modest average crosswind components of 4.8 and 4.5 knots respectively, enhancing landing and takeoff predictability.

Approach Considerations

With an average visibility of 9.1 statute miles and only 3.4% of observations showing visibility below 3 miles, Hanscom Field generally offers good visual approach conditions. Pilots should be prepared for occasional reduced visibility, with fog present in approximately 2% of observations, and be aware of the potential for instrument meteorological conditions during less favorable periods.

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.