Norman Wells Airport

CYVQ / YVQ

Norman Wells, CA

Last Updated
Jun 23, 23:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 1 hour ago
23:00Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
27°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 9°C
4 kt
190°
20 SM
Visibility
25,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1013 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR CYVQ 232300Z 19004KT 20SM SCT060TCU SCT150 BKN250 27/09 A2992 RMK FU1TCU2AC1CI4 AC TR VIS LWR S SLP138 DENSITY ALT 1800FT

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 238 ft
SCT 6,000 ft AGL (TCU)
SCT 15,000 ft AGL
BKN 25,000 ft AGL
SCT (TCU)
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
6,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
6,238 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
15,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
15,238 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
25,238 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Norman Wells Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 25,000 feet and 20 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south (190°) at 4 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 20 SM. The ceiling is 25000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums. Caution: towering cumulus clouds reported at 6,000 ft AGL, indicating convective activity in the area.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 27°C (81°F) with a dewpoint of 9°C, indicating very dry conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 12 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain, Thunderstorm Rain, FCST. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 3 to 15 knots. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Showers Rain between 00:00Z and 03:00Z. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast with Light Showers Rain between 03:00Z and 12:00Z. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Thunderstorm Rain, FCST between 03:00Z and 09:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. 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
1013 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1005 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (238 ft)
Pressure Alt
246 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,743 ft
ISA Deviation: +12.5°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF CYVQ 232340Z 2400/2412 VRB03KT P6SM SCT060 BKN250 TEMPO 2400/2403 P6SM -SHRA VCTS BKN060CB FM240300 VRB03KT P6SM BKN060 TEMPO 2403/2412 P6SM -SHRA PROB30 2403/2409 VRB15G25KT 5SM TSRA BKN050CB RMK NXT FCST BY 240600Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
00:00Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 25,000 ft
03:00Z FM240300
+3h
VFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 6,000 ft
03:00Z TEMPO
+3h
VFR
Visibility: >6SM
Light Showers Rain
03:00Z PROB30
+3h
MVFR VRB 15 kt
Visibility: 5SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
Thunderstorm Rain, FCST

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
YVQ
10 ✈️
28

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 10/28
Active: 10
5,998 ft 150 ft ASP 117°
0.0 kt 4.0 kt
90° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - CYVQ

7,463 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
75.8%
MVFR
16.9%
IFR
5.3%
LIFR
2%

Norman Wells Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 75.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 7.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 6.9 knots. Calm conditions occur 11.2% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -47°C to 29°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are June, March, April.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 6.9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 27 kt
Calm Winds: 11.2%
Direction Distribution:
E
23.4%
N
2.1%
S
2.9%
W
32.4%
NE
2.7%
NW
8.1%
SE
13.6%
SW
3.5%

Temperature Range

Average: -11°C
Range: -47°C to 29°C
-47°C 29°C

Visibility

Average: 22.2 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.8%
Fog Frequency: 2.1%

Best Months for VFR

June March April

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 10/28
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 1.7 kt

Statistics computed from 7,463 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Norman Wells Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: CYVQ
IATA Code: YVQ
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 238 ft MSL

Location

City: Norman Wells
Country: CA
Latitude: 65.281601°
Longitude: -126.797997°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 10/28
Length: 5,998 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Norman Wells Airport

Overview

Norman Wells Airport serves the remote community of Norman Wells in Canada's Northwest Territories, located above the Arctic Circle. As a medium-sized airport situated at 238 ft MSL, it provides critical transportation infrastructure for a region characterized by challenging northern conditions and limited ground access.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, ranging from -47°C to 21°C, with an average temperature of -13°C. Flight rules are predominantly VFR (65.6%), with MVFR conditions occurring 22.1% of the time, indicating generally stable but sometimes challenging flying environments that require careful pre-flight planning.

Notable Features

Located at coordinates 65.281601, -126.797997, Norman Wells Airport is positioned in a subarctic landscape with a single 5,998 ft asphalt runway (10/28). The prevailing westerly winds at an average of 6.6 knots, with occasional gusts up to 25 knots, characterize the local wind patterns, and calm conditions occur 12.9% of the time.

Approach Considerations

Runway 10/28 demonstrates highly favorable wind conditions, with a 100% wind alignment and minimal average crosswind of 1.4 knots. Pilots should anticipate good visibility averaging 19.8 statute miles, though occasional reduced visibility and fog can occur, with below 3 SM conditions present in 2.2% of observations.

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.