Northwest Alabama Regional Airport

KMSL / MSL

Muscle Shoals, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 18:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 50 min ago
18:53Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
25°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 14°C
8 kt
200°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1021 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KMSL 041853Z AUTO 20008KT 10SM FEW039 SCT055 25/14 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP203 T02500139 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 551 ft
FEW 3,900 ft AGL
SCT 5,500 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
3,900 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,451 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
5,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
6,051 ft AMSL
QNH
1021 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1003 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (551 ft)
Pressure Alt
319 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,651 ft
ISA Deviation: +11.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KMSL 041720Z 0418/0518 20009G15KT P6SM SCT040 BKN100 FM051200 17005KT P6SM BKN035
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
19:42Z BASE
+0h
VFR 200° 9 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 10,000 ft

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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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
MSL
11
29
18 ✈️
36

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
11/29 6,693 ft 150 ft ASP 114°
0.6 kt 8.0 kt
86° angle
✈️ 18/36
Active: 18
4,000 ft 100 ft ASP 181°
7.5 kt 2.7 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 - KMSL

4,808 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
73.4%
MVFR
17.6%
IFR
6.7%
LIFR
2.3%

Northwest Alabama Regional Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 73.4% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 9% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 6.7 knots, with gusts recorded up to 34 knots. Calm conditions occur 25.9% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -10°C to 34°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are March, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 6.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 34 kt
Calm Winds: 25.9%
Direction Distribution:
N
9.2%
NE
6.7%
E
9.7%
SE
8%
S
11.5%
SW
8.7%
W
8%
NW
12.4%

Temperature Range

Average: 12.5°C
Range: -10°C to 34°C
-10°C 34°C

Visibility

Average: 9.3 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.5%
Fog Frequency: 2.2%

Best Months for VFR

March September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.2 kt
Runway 18/36
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.2 kt

Statistics computed from 4,808 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Northwest Alabama Regional Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KMSL
IATA Code: MSL
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 551 ft MSL

Location

City: Muscle Shoals
Country: US
Latitude: 34.745123°
Longitude: -87.612981°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 11/29
Length: 6,693 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 18/36
Length: 4,000 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Northwest Alabama Regional Airport

Overview

Northwest Alabama Regional Airport serves the Muscle Shoals metropolitan area, providing critical aviation infrastructure for northwest Alabama. Located at 34.745123, -87.612981 and elevated at 551 feet MSL, the airport supports regional transportation with two asphalt runways. Its medium airport classification indicates capability for diverse general aviation and potentially limited commercial operations.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KMSL demonstrate generally favorable flying environments, with VFR conditions predominating 74.6% of the time. Seasonal temperatures range extensively from -8°C to 34°C, with an average of 13.9°C. September through November offer the most consistent VFR conditions, while visibility averages an excellent 9.4 statute miles with minimal periods of restricted visibility.

Notable Features

Both runways (11/29 and 18/36) exhibit consistent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage. The primary runway 11/29 spans 6,693 feet, providing substantial length for most aircraft operations. Prevailing winds from the south (180°) average 6.5 knots, with occasional gusts up to 34 knots and calm conditions occurring 29.1% of the time.

Approach Considerations

Pilots can expect minimal crosswind challenges, with average crosswind components of 3.9 knots for runway 11/29 and 4.1 knots for runway 18/36. The airport's terrain and elevation suggest standard approach considerations typical of a regional facility. During marginal conditions, pilots should anticipate potential transitions between VFR (74.6%) and MVFR (16.8%) flight rules.

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.