Bismarck Municipal Airport

KBIS / BIS

Bismarck, US

Last Updated
Apr 30, 09:52Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 13 min ago
09:52Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
-1°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -6°C
5 kt
250°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1021 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KBIS 300952Z AUTO 25005KT 10SM SCT075 M01/M06 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP222 T10061056

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 1,661 ft
SCT 7,500 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
7,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
9,161 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Bismarck Municipal Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 7,500 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots. Runway 21 is favored with a 4-knot headwind and 3-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: scattered at 7,500 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is -1°C (30°F) with a dewpoint of -6°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions. Temperatures are at or below freezing. Check for icing conditions and ensure aircraft anti-ice/de-ice systems are operational if required.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. Conditions are expected to remain VFR throughout the forecast period. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 3 to 15 knots.

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
1021 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
966 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,661 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,429 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -92 ft
ISA Deviation: -12.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KBIS 300542Z 3006/0106 25003KT P6SM SCT080 FM301100 30007KT P6SM SCT035 BKN060 FM301700 34015KT P6SM SCT040 BKN050 FM302200 35012KT P6SM BKN060 FM010000 01008KT P6SM FEW060 SCT250 FM010300 05004KT P6SM FEW070 SCT250
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
10:04Z BASE
+0h
VFR 250° 3 kt
Visibility: >6SM
11:00Z FM301100
+1h
VFR 300° 7 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 6,000 ft
17:00Z FM301700
+7h
VFR 340° 15 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
22:00Z FM302200
+12h
VFR 350° 12 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 6,000 ft

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
BIS
03
21 ✈️
13
31

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 03/21
Active: 21
6,600 ft 100 ft ASP 39°
3.8 kt 3.2 kt
40° angle
13/31 8,794 ft 150 ft ASP 138°
1.9 kt 4.6 kt
112° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KBIS

6,611 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
64.7%
MVFR
23.3%
IFR
9%
LIFR
3%

Bismarck Municipal Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 64.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 12% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 9.6 knots, with gusts recorded up to 34 knots. Temperature extremes range from -29°C to 32°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, September, April.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 9.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 34 kt
Calm Winds: 10%
Direction Distribution:
N
10%
NE
8.3%
E
13.1%
SE
13%
S
7%
SW
4.9%
W
11.5%
NW
22.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 0.1°C
Range: -29°C to 32°C
-29°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 9.1 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.7%
Fog Frequency: 1.9%

Best Months for VFR

October September April

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7.5 kt
Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.4 kt

Statistics computed from 6,611 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Bismarck Municipal Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KBIS
IATA Code: BIS
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,661 ft MSL

Location

City: Bismarck
Country: US
Latitude: 46.772701°
Longitude: -100.746002°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+7

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 6,600 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 13/31
Length: 8,794 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

Nearby Airports

VFR MVFR IFR LIFR No Data

About Bismarck Municipal Airport

Overview

Bismarck Municipal Airport serves as a key aviation hub in central North Dakota, strategically located in the state capital. Situated at an elevation of 1,661 feet MSL, the airport provides critical transportation infrastructure for the Bismarck region, supporting both commercial and general aviation operations with two substantial asphalt runways.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Bismarck Municipal Airport demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) predominating at 63.4% of observations. Pilots should anticipate challenging conditions during winter months, with temperatures ranging from -29°C to 32°C and prevailing northwest winds averaging 9.7 knots. The most favorable VFR flying months are September, October, and November, offering more stable atmospheric conditions.

Notable Features

The airport features two parallel runways with substantial lengths: Runway 03/21 at 6,600 feet and Runway 13/31 extending 8,794 feet. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind coverage, with Runway 03/21 experiencing an average crosswind of 7.7 knots and Runway 13/31 experiencing a lower average crosswind of 4.2 knots. The airport's geographic position in the Northern Plains contributes to its distinctive wind and weather characteristics.

Approach Considerations

Visibility averages 9 statute miles, with only 3.8% of observations reporting visibility below 3 miles and minimal fog occurrence at 1.2%. Pilots can expect predominantly northwest winds at 315 degrees, with calm conditions present 10.1% of the time. The dual-runway configuration provides flexibility for approach and departure, allowing pilots to select the most wind-favorable runway based on current 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.