Glacier Park International Airport

KGPI / FCA

Kalispell, US

Last Updated
Apr 22, 22:05Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 12 min ago
22:05Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
8°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 6°C
20 kt
150° G31 kt
9 SM
Visibility
1,100 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1002 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KGPI 222205Z 15020G31KT 9SM -RA BKN011 BKN017 OVC027 08/06 A2959 RMK AO2 PK WND 14031/2202 P0000 T00780061

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 2,977 ft
BKN 1,100 ft AGL
BKN 1,700 ft AGL
OVC 2,700 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
1,100 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,077 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
1,700 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,677 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
2,700 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,677 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Glacier Park International Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with overcast skies at 2,700 feet and 9 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southeast (150°) at 20 knots with gusts to 31 knots. Runway 12/30 is favored with a 17-knot headwind and 10-knot crosswind component (gusting to 16 knots crosswind). Student pilots and low-time aviators should exercise caution.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 9 SM. The ceiling is 1100 feet AGL (broken), placing conditions in the MVFR category.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 8°C (46°F) with a dewpoint of 6°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 21 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Light Rain, Rain, Mist, Light Rain, Mist, Light Snow, Mist. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 5 to 17 knots. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Rain, Mist between 21:00Z and 00:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. Gusty conditions may exceed demonstrated crosswind components for many general aviation aircraft. Check your aircraft's limitations. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours. 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
1002 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
903 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (2,977 ft)
Pressure Alt
3,315 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 3,189 ft
ISA Deviation: -1.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KGPI 222126Z 2221/2318 16017G27KT P6SM -RA BKN050 OVC080 TEMPO 2221/2224 2SM RA BR OVC030 FM230000 16009KT 2SM -RA BR BKN015 OVC025 FM230400 VRB05KT 1SM -RA BR OVC015 FM231100 03008KT 1SM -SN BR VV010 FM231300 02010G20KT P6SM VCSH SCT030 OVC050
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
22:16Z BASE
+0h
VFR 160° 17 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
Light Rain
00:00Z FM230000
+2h
IFR 160° 9 kt
Visibility: 2SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
Light Rain, Mist
04:00Z FM230400
+6h
IFR VRB 5 kt
Visibility: 1SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
Light Rain, 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
GPI
02
20
07
25
12 ✈️
30

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
02/20 9,007 ft 150 ft ASP 35°
8.5 kt 18.1 kt
115° angle
07/25 3,043 ft 150 ft ASP 90°
10.0 kt 17.3 kt
60° angle
✈️ 12/30
Active: 12
3,504 ft 75 ft ASP 136°
17.3 kt 10.0 kt
30° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KGPI

6,083 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
76.1%
MVFR
12.4%
IFR
6.7%
LIFR
4.8%

Glacier Park International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 76.1% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 11.5% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.1 knots, with gusts recorded up to 33 knots. Calm conditions occur 42.3% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -18°C to 29°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, February, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 33 kt
Calm Winds: 42.3%
Direction Distribution:
N
6.1%
NE
4.8%
E
1.5%
SE
3.9%
S
19.5%
SW
10%
W
7.7%
NW
4.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 2.7°C
Range: -18°C to 29°C
-18°C 29°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.1%
Fog Frequency: 4.4%

Best Months for VFR

September February October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 02/20
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.4 kt
Runway 07/25
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.9 kt
Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.5 kt

Statistics computed from 6,083 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Glacier Park International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KGPI
IATA Code: FCA
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 2,977 ft MSL

Location

City: Kalispell
Country: US
Latitude: 48.310501°
Longitude: -114.255997°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 02/20
Length: 9,007 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 07/25
Length: 3,043 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 12/30
Length: 3,504 ft
Width: 75 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Glacier Park International Airport

Overview

Glacier Park International Airport serves the Kalispell, Montana region, providing access to northwest Montana and proximity to Glacier National Park. Located at 2977 ft MSL with three asphalt runways, the airport supports regional and commercial aviation in a mountainous terrain environment. Its medium-sized infrastructure accommodates diverse aircraft operations in a challenging geographic setting.

Flying Conditions

Weather at KGPI demonstrates significant variability, with visual flight rules (VFR) conditions predominating at 74.8% of observations. Temperature ranges from -18°C to 29°C, creating potential for significant temperature-related performance considerations. Wind patterns are predominantly southerly at an average of 6.7 knots, with calm conditions occurring 48.1% of the time and maximum gusts reaching 33 knots.

Notable Features

The airport features three runways with substantial length, particularly Runway 02/20 at 9007 feet, enabling operations for larger aircraft. Situated at coordinates 48.310501, -114.255997, the airport's elevation and surrounding terrain suggest potential mountain wave and orographic effects. September through November represent the most consistently favorable VFR months for operations.

Approach Considerations

All three runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignments with modest average crosswind components. Runway 02/20 presents the lowest average crosswind at 3.2 knots, potentially offering the most consistent approach conditions. Pilots should anticipate reduced visibility in approximately 5.6% of observations and prepare for potential instrument meteorological conditions, particularly during winter months.

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.