Salinas Municipal Airport

KSNS / SNS

Salinas, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 20:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 11 min ago
20:53Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
17°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 9°C
14 kt
290°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1021 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSNS 042053Z 29014KT 10SM SCT035 17/09 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP216 T01720094 58012

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 85 ft
SCT 3,500 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
3,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,585 ft AMSL
QNH
1021 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1018 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (85 ft)
Pressure Alt
-148 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 112 ft
ISA Deviation: +2.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSNS 041855Z 0419/0518 28009KT P6SM FEW020 FM042100 28015G24KT P6SM SKC FM050300 28006KT P6SM SKC FM051200 30003KT P6SM SKC
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
21:04Z BASE
+0h
VFR 280° 9 kt
Visibility: >6SM
03:00Z FM050300
+6h
VFR 280° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
SNS
08
26 ✈️
13
31
14
32

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 08/26
Active: 26
6,004 ft 150 ft ASP 96°
12.1 kt 7.0 kt
30° angle
13/31 4,825 ft 150 ft ASP 147°
11.2 kt 8.4 kt
143° angle
14/32 1,900 ft 50 ft ASP 153°
10.2 kt 9.5 kt
137° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KSNS

4,923 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
72%
MVFR
15.8%
IFR
5.8%
LIFR
6.3%

Salinas Municipal Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 72% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 12.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the SE averaging 7.7 knots, with gusts recorded up to 34 knots. Calm conditions occur 18.5% of the time. Temperatures typically range between 1°C and 31°C with an average of 13.8°C. The best months for VFR flying are January, February, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SE (135°)
Average Speed: 7.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 34 kt
Calm Winds: 18.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
7.9%
NE
1.2%
E
6%
SE
29.6%
S
5.1%
SW
2.2%
W
12.6%
NW
16.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 13.8°C
Range: 1°C to 31°C
1°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 9.3 SM
Below 3 SM: 2%
Fog Frequency: 3.1%

Best Months for VFR

January February November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.6 kt
Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.4 kt
Runway 14/32
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.5 kt

Statistics computed from 4,923 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Salinas Municipal Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KSNS
IATA Code: SNS
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 85 ft MSL

Location

City: Salinas
Country: US
Latitude: 36.662800°
Longitude: -121.606003°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 08/26
Length: 6,004 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 13/31
Length: 4,825 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 14/32
Length: 1,900 ft
Width: 50 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Salinas Municipal Airport

Overview

Salinas Municipal Airport serves the agricultural Monterey County region in California, located at an elevation of 85 feet MSL. The airport provides critical transportation infrastructure for local and transient general aviation operations, featuring three paved runways ranging from 1,900 to 6,004 feet in length.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KSNS demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) predominating at 70.4% of observations. Pilots can expect prevailing southeast winds averaging 7.6 knots, with temperatures ranging from 1°C to 31°C and average visibility around 9.3 statute miles. Winter months of January, November, and December typically offer the most consistent VFR conditions.

Notable Features

The airport's three runways offer multiple landing options with consistent wind alignment. All three runways (08/26, 13/31, and 14/32) demonstrate 100% favorable wind conditions, with low average crosswind velocities between 2.3 and 5.6 knots. The terrain surrounding Salinas suggests a relatively flat approach environment typical of California's agricultural central coast region.

Approach Considerations

Runway 08/26, the longest at 6,004 feet, provides the primary landing surface with the most extensive operational flexibility. Pilots should anticipate southeast winds and prepare for potential fog conditions, which occur in 3.6% of observations. Instrument meteorological conditions (IFR and LIFR) represent approximately 13.6% of recorded weather, suggesting occasional challenges for visual approaches.

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.