Vandenberg Space Force Base

KVBG / VBG

Lompoc, US

Last Updated
Apr 21, 22:47Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 12 min ago
22:47Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
21°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 15°C
13 kt
240°
10 SM
Visibility
2,400 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1018 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KVBG 212247Z 24013KT 10SM SCT018 BKN024 BKN075 21/15 A3005 RMK AO2A BKN024 V SCT CB NW-N MOVG E TCU ALQDS SLP178

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 369 ft
SCT 1,800 ft AGL
BKN 2,400 ft AGL
BKN 2,400 ft AGL
BKN 7,500 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
1,800 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,169 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
2,400 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,769 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
2,400 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,769 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
7,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
7,869 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Vandenberg Space Force Base is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with broken clouds at 2,400 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west-southwest (240°) at 13 knots. Runway 30 is favored with a 7-knot headwind and 11-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 2400 feet AGL (broken), placing conditions in the MVFR category.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 21°C (70°F) with a dewpoint of 15°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. 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
1018 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1006 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (369 ft)
Pressure Alt
227 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,036 ft
ISA Deviation: +6.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KVBG 212200Z 2122/2304 25012G18KT 9999 SCT015 BKN100 QNH3004INS BECMG 2201/2202 27009KT 9999 FEW025 SCT100 QNH3006INS BECMG 2218/2219 33015G22KT 9999 FEW030 SCT250 510006 QNH3022INS BECMG 2300/2301 34012KT 9999 FEW030 SCT250 QNH3015INS TX17/2222Z TN08/2213Z LAST NO AMDS AFT 2200 NEXT 2214
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
22:59Z BASE
+0h
VFR 250° 12 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
01:00Z BECMG
+3h
VFR 270° 9 kt
Visibility: 10+ km

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
VBG
12
30 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 12/30
Active: 30
15,000 ft 200 ft CON 136°
6.5 kt 11.3 kt
60° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KVBG

6,731 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
66%
MVFR
12.8%
IFR
10.7%
LIFR
10.5%

Vandenberg Space Force Base typically experiences VFR conditions 66% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 21.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 7.4 knots. Calm conditions occur 15.9% of the time. Temperatures typically range between 2°C and 32°C with an average of 14.1°C. The best months for VFR flying are January, February, March.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 7.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 25 kt
Calm Winds: 15.9%
Direction Distribution:
N
20.2%
NE
5.9%
E
11.1%
SE
19.3%
S
4.9%
SW
3.3%
W
7.6%
NW
11.9%

Temperature Range

Average: 14.1°C
Range: 2°C to 32°C
2°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 9.3 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.4%
Fog Frequency: 5.5%

Best Months for VFR

January February March

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4 kt

Statistics computed from 6,731 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Vandenberg Space Force Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KVBG
IATA Code: VBG
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 369 ft MSL

Location

City: Lompoc
Country: US
Latitude: 34.737301°
Longitude: -120.584000°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 12/30
Length: 15,000 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Vandenberg Space Force Base

Overview

Vandenberg Space Force Base is a medium airport located near Lompoc, California, primarily serving space and military operations. Situated at 369 ft MSL with coordinates 34.737301, -120.584000, the base features a substantial 15,000 ft concrete runway (12/30). Its strategic coastal location makes it critical for space launch and defense-related aviation activities.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences predominantly VFR conditions (61% of observations), with significant variability in weather patterns. Prevailing southeast winds at an average of 7.2 knots and temperatures ranging from 2°C to 29°C characterize typical conditions. Pilots should anticipate occasional reduced visibility, with 6.2% of observations reporting fog and 2.7% showing visibility below 3 statute miles.

Notable Features

The base's single runway 12/30 demonstrates excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage and an average crosswind of only 3.7 knots. The coastal California location introduces complex terrain interactions that can impact local wind and visibility conditions. Winter months (November, December, January) consistently offer the most stable VFR flying conditions.

Approach Considerations

With a long 15,000 ft concrete runway, Vandenberg Space Force Base offers substantial landing flexibility. Pilots should anticipate southeast wind patterns and prepare for potential fog or reduced visibility, especially outside the peak VFR months. The runway's extensive length provides significant safety margins for diverse aircraft operations.

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.