Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport

SCCH / YAI

Chillan, CL

Last Updated
Jul 3, 22:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Stale 16 hours ago
22:00Z

☀️ Day
LIFR
Flight Rules
2°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 2°C
0 kt
0.05 km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SCCH 032200Z 00000KT 0050 FG VV001 02/02 Q1017

Weather Briefing

LIFR

Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport is currently reporting low IFR (LIFR) conditions with clear skies and 0.05 km visibility. Note: This observation is 15.9 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are calm, presenting no crosswind concerns for any runway.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is severely reduced to 0.05 km, likely due to fog, mist, or precipitation. Special VFR or an IFR clearance may be required. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 2°C (36°F) with a dewpoint of 2°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Pilot Recommendations

Current conditions require an instrument rating, IFR-equipped aircraft, and an IFR clearance. Check approach minimums carefully as conditions may be below CAT I ILS minimums. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

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
CCH
04
22

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
04/22 5,740 ft 98 ft ASP 45°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
45° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - SCCH

2,255 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
85.1%
MVFR
8.6%
IFR
3.9%
LIFR
2.4%

Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 85.1% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the SW averaging 7.1 knots. Temperature extremes range from -2°C to 37°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are December, January, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SW (225°)
Average Speed: 7.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 27 kt
Calm Winds: 6%
Direction Distribution:
E
5.8%
N
5.6%
S
15.9%
W
13.2%
NE
6.3%
NW
3.8%
SE
1.7%
SW
41.7%

Temperature Range

Average: 15.4°C
Range: -2°C to 37°C
-2°C 37°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 5.2%

Best Months for VFR

December January October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 04/22
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.5 kt

Statistics computed from 2,255 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SCCH
IATA Code: YAI
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 495 ft MSL

Location

City: Chillan
Country: CL
Latitude: -36.582500°
Longitude: -72.031403°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 04/22
Length: 5,740 ft
Width: 98 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport

Overview

General Bernardo O'Higgins Airport serves the Chillan region in central Chile, positioned at an elevation of 495 feet MSL. As a medium-sized airport with a single runway (04/22) measuring 5,740 feet in asphalt, it supports regional aviation operations in this agricultural zone. The airport's location at coordinates -36.582500, -72.031403 provides strategic access to the surrounding Biobío region.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly favorable Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions, with 88.5% of observations supporting clear weather operations. The airport experiences consistent southwest winds averaging 7 knots, with occasional gusts up to 18 knots. Temperature variations are significant, ranging from 1°C to 37°C, with an average of 15.1°C, suggesting potential for dynamic thermal conditions during flight.

Notable Features

The airport's single runway (04/22) demonstrates excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage and minimal average crosswind of 2.4 knots. Visibility typically remains excellent, with an average of 10 statute miles and rare occurrences of restricted visibility. Seasonal patterns indicate December, January, and October offer the most consistent VFR flying conditions.

Approach Considerations

Runway 04/22 provides consistent wind conditions, making it suitable for most approach scenarios. Pilots should anticipate southwest prevailing winds and prepare for potential thermal variations, especially during summer months. The low frequency of instrument meteorological conditions (IFR/LIFR at 4.8%) suggests generally stable approach environments, with minimal risk of significant visibility restrictions.

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.