Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

KDCA / DCA

Washington, US

Last Updated
Apr 22, 00:52Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 27 min ago
00:52Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
13°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 1°C
11 kt
160°
10 SM
Visibility
15,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1022 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KDCA 220052Z 16011KT 10SM BKN150 13/01 A3019 RMK AO2 SLP222 T01280006

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 15 ft
BKN 15,000 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
15,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
15,015 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 15,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southeast (160°) at 11 knots. Runway 15/33 is favored with a 11-knot headwind and 2-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 15000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 13°C (55°F) with a dewpoint of 1°C, indicating relatively dry conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain. There is a 30% probability of VFR conditions with Light Showers Rain between 20:00Z and 23:00Z.

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
1022 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1022 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (15 ft)
Pressure Alt
-248 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -484 ft
ISA Deviation: -2.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KDCA 212331Z 2200/2306 18012G20KT P6SM SCT180 FM220500 18012G20KT P6SM BKN100 WS020/21040KT FM221200 19010KT 5SM -SHRA SCT060 BKN100 FM221500 25006KT P6SM BKN045 FM221900 29007G15KT P6SM FEW045 SCT060 PROB30 2220/2223 6SM -SHRA BKN060 FM230000 30005KT P6SM SCT100
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
01:19Z BASE
+0h
VFR 180° 12 kt
Visibility: >6SM
05:00Z FM220500
+4h
VFR 180° 12 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
12:00Z FM221200
+11h
MVFR 190° 10 kt
Visibility: 5SM
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
Light Showers Rain

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
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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
DCA
01
19 ✈️
04
22
15
33

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 01/19
Active: 19
7,169 ft 150 ft ASP 356°
9.5 kt 5.5 kt
30° angle
04/22 5,000 ft 150 ft ASP 26°
7.6 kt 7.9 kt
134° angle
15/33 5,204 ft 150 ft ASP 142°
10.5 kt 3.4 kt
18° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KDCA

6,008 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
78.7%
MVFR
12.2%
IFR
7.1%
LIFR
2%

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 78.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 9.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8.5 knots, with gusts recorded up to 37 knots. Temperature extremes range from -12°C to 32°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are April, January, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8.5 kt
Maximum Recorded: 37 kt
Calm Winds: 9.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
16.2%
NE
11.9%
E
5.2%
SE
3.5%
S
25.2%
SW
7.2%
W
6.8%
NW
14.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 9°C
Range: -12°C to 32°C
-12°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 9.3 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.7%
Fog Frequency: 2%

Best Months for VFR

April January November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.3 kt
Runway 04/22
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.5 kt
Runway 15/33
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt

Statistics computed from 6,008 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KDCA
IATA Code: DCA
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 15 ft MSL

Location

City: Washington
Country: US
Latitude: 38.852100°
Longitude: -77.037697°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 7,169 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 04/22
Length: 5,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 15/33
Length: 5,204 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Overview

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) is a critical transportation hub located in Washington, D.C., serving the national capital region. Situated at a low elevation of 15 feet mean sea level, the airport plays a crucial role in providing air transportation for government, business, and civilian passengers in the metropolitan area.

Flying Conditions

The airport's low elevation and proximity to the Potomac River create unique microclimate conditions that can impact flight operations. Pilots should anticipate potential wind variations and localized weather patterns typical of the mid-Atlantic coastal region, with seasonal changes affecting approach and departure conditions across the three available runways.

Notable Features

Ronald Reagan National features three asphalt runways with varying lengths: Runway 01/19 at 7,169 feet, Runway 04/22 at 5,000 feet, and Runway 15/33 at 5,204 feet. The airport's location within the densely populated Washington, D.C. metropolitan area requires precise navigation and adherence to specific airspace protocols.

Approach Considerations

Runway selection at KDCA will depend on current wind conditions, with the longer 01/19 runway offering the most flexibility for larger aircraft operations. Pilots should carefully review current meteorological data and be prepared for potential wind shifts due to the airport's coastal and urban 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.