Buffalo Range Airport

FVCZ / BFO

Chiredzi, ZW

Last Updated
Apr 22, 09:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Stale 2 hours ago
09:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
27°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 23°C
4 kt
170°
10+ km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1016 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR FVCZ 220900Z 17004KT 9999 SCT020 27/23 Q1016 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 1,421 ft
SCT 2,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
2,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,421 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Buffalo Range Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 2,000 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility. Note: This observation is 2 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south (170°) at 4 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: scattered at 2,000 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 27°C (81°F) with a dewpoint of 23°C. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread suggests high humidity and potential for visibility restrictions, especially during cooling periods.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight.

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

QNH
1016 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
969 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,421 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,339 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 3,120 ft
ISA Deviation: +14.8°C

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
VCZ
14 ✈️
32

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 14/32
Active: 14
5,785 ft 98 ft BIT 130°
3.5 kt 2.0 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 - FVCZ

719 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
74.3%
MVFR
18.6%
IFR
5%
LIFR
2.1%

Buffalo Range Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 74.3% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 7.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the SE averaging 4.8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 93 knots. Temperatures typically range between 12°C and 40°C with an average of 26.9°C. The best months for VFR flying are February, April, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SE (135°)
Average Speed: 4.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 93 kt
Calm Winds: 4.7%
Direction Distribution:
N
1.9%
NE
4.6%
E
22%
SE
34.4%
S
21.1%
SW
6.7%
W
3.1%
NW
1.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 26.9°C
Range: 12°C to 40°C
12°C 40°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.5%

Best Months for VFR

February April October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 14/32
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.3 kt

Statistics computed from 719 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Buffalo Range Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: FVCZ
IATA Code: BFO
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,421 ft MSL

Location

City: Chiredzi
Country: ZW
Latitude: -21.008101°
Longitude: 31.578600°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-2

Runway Information

Runway 14/32
Length: 5,785 ft
Width: 98 ft
Surface: BIT
ILS: No

Nearby Airports

VFR MVFR IFR LIFR No Data

About Buffalo Range Airport

Overview

Buffalo Range Airport serves the Chiredzi region in Zimbabwe, positioned at an elevation of 1421 ft MSL. Located at coordinates -21.008101, 31.578600, this medium airport provides essential aviation infrastructure for the southeastern part of the country. The airport features a single bituminous runway (14/32) with a substantial length of 5785 feet.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Buffalo Range Airport are predominantly favorable for visual flight rules (VFR), with 70.3% of observations supporting VFR operations. Winds typically blow from the southeast at an average of 5.3 knots, with occasional stronger gusts up to 93 knots. Temperature variations range from 12°C to 40°C, with an average of 27°C, providing generally stable atmospheric conditions for aviation.

Notable Features

The airport's single runway (14/32) experiences highly favorable wind conditions, with 100% wind alignment supporting operations. Crosswind components average just 2.5 knots, indicating minimal lateral wind challenges for pilots. Visibility is consistently good, with an average of 10 statute miles and minimal instances of restricted visibility.

Approach Considerations

October through December represent the optimal months for VFR flying at Buffalo Range Airport. Pilots can expect minimal meteorological complications, with only 5.3% of observations indicating instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions. The consistent southeast wind pattern and excellent visibility make this airport relatively straightforward for approach and landing procedures.

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.