Wellington International Airport

NZWN / WLG

Wellington, NZ

Last Updated
Mar 6, 08:30Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 11 min ago
08:30Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
18°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 14°C
23 kt
10°
10+ km
Visibility
2,600 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR NZWN 060830Z AUTO 01023KT 9999 FEW021/// OVC026/// 18/14 Q1017

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 41 ft
FEW 2,100 ft AGL
OVC 2,600 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
2,100 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,141 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
2,600 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,641 ft AMSL

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF NZWN 060501Z 0606/0712 36025G40KT 9999 SCT025 BECMG 0606/0608 36020G30KT BECMG 0610/0612 36010KT TEMPO 0618/0622 BKN014 BECMG 0702/0704 36015G25KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
08:41Z BASE
+0h
VFR 360° 25 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
10:00Z BECMG
+2h
VFR 360° 10 kt
18:00Z TEMPO
+10h
MVFR
Ceiling: 1,400 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
ZWN
16
34 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 16/34
Active: 34
6,352 ft 148 ft ASP 183°
19.9 kt 11.5 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 - NZWN

7,825 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
65.5%
MVFR
28.6%
IFR
5.3%
LIFR
0.6%

Wellington International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 65.5% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 5.9% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 15.2 knots, with gusts recorded up to 51 knots. Temperatures typically range between 5°C and 25°C with an average of 16°C. The best months for VFR flying are September, January, December.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 15.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 51 kt
Calm Winds: 0%
Direction Distribution:
N
59%
NE
6.2%
E
0.6%
SE
4.8%
S
21%
SW
3.5%
W
0.8%
NW
4.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 16°C
Range: 5°C to 25°C
5°C 25°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.2%

Best Months for VFR

September January December

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 16/34
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.4 kt

Statistics computed from 7,825 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Wellington International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: NZWN
IATA Code: WLG
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 41 ft MSL

Location

City: Wellington
Country: NZ
Latitude: -41.327202°
Longitude: 174.804993°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-12

Runway Information

Runway 16/34
Length: 6,352 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Wellington International Airport

Overview

Wellington International Airport serves as the primary airport for New Zealand's capital city, located on the southern tip of the North Island. The airport supports commercial passenger operations, general aviation, and serves as a critical transportation hub for the Wellington region. Its single runway (16/34) extends 6,352 feet and is constructed of asphalt, accommodating a range of aircraft types.

Flying Conditions

Wellington is known for challenging wind conditions, which are particularly notable given the airport's low elevation of 41 feet mean sea level. The airport's location between mountain ranges and coastal terrain can create complex wind patterns and potential turbulence during approach and departure. Pilots should anticipate potential wind shear and crosswind conditions that may require heightened situational awareness.

Notable Features

The airport's geographic position at coordinates -41.327202, 174.804993 places it in a topographically complex environment surrounded by significant terrain. Its proximity to urban areas and mountainous landscape means pilots must be prepared for potential wind gradient effects and terrain-induced turbulence. The single runway's orientation (16/34) provides some flexibility in handling varying wind directions.

Approach Considerations

Approach planning should carefully consider the airport's wind characteristics and surrounding terrain. The runway's length of 6,352 feet provides adequate space for most commercial and general aviation aircraft, but precise navigation is crucial given the challenging local environment. Pilots should maintain heightened awareness of potential wind shifts and be prepared for dynamic approach conditions.

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.