El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport

SAWC / FTE

El Calafate, AR

Last Updated
Feb 17, 05:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 18 min ago
05:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
12°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 9°C
6 kt
220°
10+ km
Visibility
5,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SAWC 170500Z 22006KT 9999 -RA FEW030 BKN050 12/09 Q0989

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 669 ft
FEW 3,000 ft AGL
BKN 5,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
3,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,669 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
5,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,669 ft AMSL

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF SAWC 162300Z 1700/1724 VRB05KT 9999 BKN030 BKN040 TX15/1719Z TN08/1710Z TEMPO 1700/1708 -SHRA BECMG 1711/13 27025KT SCT030
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
05:17Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 5 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 3,000 ft
05:17Z BECMG
+0h
VFR 270° 25 kt

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
AWC
7
25 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 7/25
Active: 25
8,366 ft 148 ft CON 84°
5.2 kt 3.0 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 - SAWC

3,662 observations | Sep 2025 - Feb 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
99.2%
MVFR
0.7%
IFR
0%
LIFR
0%

El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 99.2% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 13.3 knots, with gusts recorded up to 41 knots. Temperature extremes range from -7°C to 30°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are January, December, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 13.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 41 kt
Calm Winds: 0.4%
Direction Distribution:
N
2.4%
NE
1.7%
E
10.2%
SE
2.9%
S
1.4%
SW
23.3%
W
51.8%
NW
5.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 11.4°C
Range: -7°C to 30°C
-7°C 30°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

January December September

Statistics computed from 3,662 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Feb 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SAWC
IATA Code: FTE
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 669 ft MSL

Location

City: El Calafate
Country: AR
Latitude: -50.280300°
Longitude: -72.053101°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 7/25
Length: 8,366 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport

Overview

El Calafate - Commander Armando Tola International Airport serves the southern Patagonian region of Argentina, located near the city of El Calafate in Santa Cruz Province. The airport supports regional and international air traffic at an elevation of 669 feet above mean sea level, providing critical aviation infrastructure in this remote part of South America.

Flying Conditions

Patagonian weather can be characterized by strong and variable winds, which are significant considerations for pilots operating at this airport. The single runway (7/25) measuring 8,366 feet long with a concrete surface provides substantial operational flexibility for aircraft handling challenging regional meteorological conditions.

Notable Features

The airport is situated in a geographical context of dramatic terrain, with proximity to the Andes Mountains and Patagonian plains influencing local atmospheric dynamics. Its coordinates at -50.280300, -72.053101 place it in a region known for rapidly changing weather patterns and potential wind shear conditions that demand heightened pilot situational awareness.

Approach Considerations

Runway 7/25 offers a substantial landing surface suitable for medium-sized aircraft operations, with its orientation potentially providing some wind alignment benefits. Pilots should anticipate potential crosswind components and be prepared for rapid meteorological changes typical of the Patagonian landscape when planning approaches to this airport.

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.