Columbia Regional Airport

KCOU / COU

Columbia, US

Last Updated
Mar 5, 01:54Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 6 min ago
01:54Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
8°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 8°C
4 kt
360°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1015 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KCOU 050154Z 36004KT 1/2SM FG VV002 08/08 A2998 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT W SLP153 T00830083 $
QNH
1015 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
985 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (889 ft)
Pressure Alt
837 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 210 ft
ISA Deviation: -5.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KCOU 050138Z 0502/0524 VRB04KT 1SM BR OVC004 PROB30 0503/0507 -TSRA SCT004 BKN050CB FM050700 VRB04KT 1/2SM FG VV002 FM051300 VRB04KT 2SM BR OVC005 FM051600 VRB04KT P6SM SCT015 BKN050
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
02:00Z BASE
+0h
LIFR VRB 4 kt
Visibility: 1SM
Ceiling: 400 ft
Mist
03:00Z PROB30
+1h
MVFR
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
Light Thunderstorm Rain
07:00Z FM050700
+5h
LIFR VRB 4 kt
Visibility: 1/2SM
Ceiling: 200 ft
Fog
13:00Z FM051300
+11h
IFR VRB 4 kt
Visibility: 2SM
Ceiling: 500 ft
Mist

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
COU
02 ✈️
20
13
31

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 02/20
Active: 02
6,501 ft 150 ft CON 21°
3.8 kt 1.4 kt
20° angle
13/31 5,500 ft 100 ft Concrete 135°
2.8 kt 2.8 kt
135° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KCOU

4,524 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
79%
MVFR
9.4%
IFR
6.8%
LIFR
4.9%

Columbia Regional Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 79% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 11.7% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8.1 knots, with gusts recorded up to 32 knots. Temperature extremes range from -21°C to 36°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are February, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 32 kt
Calm Winds: 5.3%
Direction Distribution:
N
11%
NE
8.2%
E
11.9%
SE
12.9%
S
17.5%
SW
8.3%
W
12.9%
NW
12%

Temperature Range

Average: 7.5°C
Range: -21°C to 36°C
-21°C 36°C

Visibility

Average: 9.4 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.8%
Fog Frequency: 3.3%

Best Months for VFR

February September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 02/20
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.2 kt
Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.8 kt

Statistics computed from 4,524 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Columbia Regional Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KCOU
IATA Code: COU
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 889 ft MSL

Location

City: Columbia
Country: US
Latitude: 38.818100°
Longitude: -92.219597°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 02/20
Length: 6,501 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 13/31
Length: 5,500 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: Concrete
ILS: No

About Columbia Regional Airport

Overview

Columbia Regional Airport serves central Missouri as a medium-sized airport located in Columbia, situated at 889 feet above mean sea level. The airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for the region, supporting both general aviation and regional commercial operations with two concrete runways accommodating various aircraft types.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KCOU demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) predominating at 77.3% of observations. Pilots can expect prevailing southerly winds averaging 7.9 knots, with temperature ranges spanning from -17°C to 36°C, creating diverse flying environments throughout the year. September, October, and January typically offer the most consistent VFR conditions.

Notable Features

The airport features two concrete runways: Runway 02/20 measuring 6,501 feet and Runway 13/31 measuring 5,500 feet. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with modest average crosswind components of 5.2 knots and 4.5 knots respectively. The airport's moderate elevation and geographical positioning provide relatively stable approach characteristics.

Approach Considerations

Given the prevailing southerly winds, pilots should anticipate potential approaches from southern quadrants. Visibility averages 9.4 statute miles, with only 2% of observations presenting visibility below 3 statute miles and occasional fog events at 4.3%. Instrument meteorological conditions occur in approximately 12.1% of observations, suggesting potential need for alternative planning during certain 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.