Mason City Municipal Airport

KMCW / MCW

Mason City, US

Last Updated
Apr 22, 01:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 46 min ago
01:53Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
17°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 4°C
6 kt
20°
8 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1011 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KMCW 220153Z AUTO 02006KT 8SM CLR 17/04 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP104 T01670039

Weather Briefing

VFR

Mason City Municipal Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies and 8 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the north-northeast (20°) at 6 knots. Runway 36 is favored with a 6-knot headwind and 2-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 8 SM. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 17°C (63°F) with a dewpoint of 4°C, indicating relatively dry conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. Conditions are expected to remain VFR throughout the forecast period.

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
1011 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
971 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,213 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,281 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,812 ft
ISA Deviation: +4.4°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KMCW 212342Z 2200/2224 35006KT P6SM SKC FM221400 14008KT P6SM SCT250 FM221600 16014KT P6SM SCT120 FM221900 17016G24KT P6SM BKN120
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
02:39Z BASE
+0h
VFR 350° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
14:00Z FM221400
+12h
VFR 140° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
MCW
12
30
18
36 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
12/30 5,502 ft 150 ft ASP 124°
1.5 kt 5.8 kt
104° angle
✈️ 18/36
Active: 36
6,501 ft 150 ft ASP 179°
5.6 kt 2.1 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KMCW

6,833 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
65.8%
MVFR
20.9%
IFR
8.4%
LIFR
4.9%

Mason City Municipal Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 65.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 13.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 11.6 knots, with gusts recorded up to 44 knots. Temperature extremes range from -28°C to 33°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, September, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 11.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 44 kt
Calm Winds: 6.8%
Direction Distribution:
N
10.1%
NE
3.9%
E
6.1%
SE
11.9%
S
17.6%
SW
6.3%
W
11.2%
NW
26.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 1.6°C
Range: -28°C to 33°C
-28°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.5%
Fog Frequency: 6.9%

Best Months for VFR

October September February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.7 kt
Runway 18/36
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7.1 kt

Statistics computed from 6,833 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Mason City Municipal Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KMCW
IATA Code: MCW
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,213 ft MSL

Location

City: Mason City
Country: US
Latitude: 43.159801°
Longitude: -93.329716°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 12/30
Length: 5,502 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 18/36
Length: 6,501 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Mason City Municipal Airport

Overview

Mason City Municipal Airport serves the north-central Iowa region, positioned strategically in Cerro Gordo County. Located at 43.159801, -93.329716 with an elevation of 1,213 feet MSL, this medium-sized airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for the Mason City metropolitan area and surrounding communities.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly VFR conditions, with 64.3% of observations presenting clear flying weather. Seasonal temperature variations are significant, ranging from -28°C to 33°C, with an average of 2.1°C. Wind patterns are predominantly northwest at 315°, averaging 11.2 knots with occasional gusts up to 36 knots, and calm conditions occurring 7.2% of the time.

Notable Features

The airport features two asphalt runways: Runway 12/30 measuring 5,502 feet and Runway 18/36 extending 6,501 feet. Both runways demonstrate excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage. Crosswind components are moderate, averaging 4.9 knots on 12/30 and 7.2 knots on 18/36, providing consistent operational flexibility.

Approach Considerations

September through November represent the most consistent VFR months, offering optimal flying conditions. Visibility averages 8.7 statute miles, with only 6% of observations showing conditions below 3 miles. Pilots should be prepared for occasional fog (8.8% of observations) and plan approaches accordingly, leveraging the airport's well-aligned runways.

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.