Laurence G Hanscom Field

KBED / BED

Bedford, US

Last Updated
Apr 22, 10:51Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Aging 1 hour ago
10:51Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
4°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 0°C
6 kt
200°
10 SM
Visibility
10,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1022 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KBED 221051Z 20006KT 10SM BKN100 04/00 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP236 T00390000

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 133 ft
BKN 10,000 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
10,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
10,133 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Laurence G Hanscom Field is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 10,000 feet and 10 SM visibility. Note: This observation is 1 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southwest (200°) at 6 knots. Runway 23 is favored with a 5-knot headwind and 3-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 10000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 4°C (39°F) with a dewpoint of 0°C. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread suggests high humidity and potential for visibility restrictions, especially during cooling periods.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan.

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
1022 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1018 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (133 ft)
Pressure Alt
-130 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -1,418 ft
ISA Deviation: -10.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KBED 220520Z 2206/2306 20005KT P6SM SCT200 FM221300 19008KT P6SM VCSH SCT035 OVC070 FM221900 18007KT P6SM OVC015 FM230300 17003KT P6SM OVC008
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:52Z BASE
+0h
VFR 200° 5 kt
Visibility: >6SM
13:00Z FM221300
+2h
VFR 190° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 7,000 ft
19:00Z FM221900
+8h
MVFR 180° 7 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
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
BED
05
23 ✈️
11
29

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 05/23
Active: 23
5,106 ft 150 ft ASP 37°
5.2 kt 3.0 kt
30° angle
11/29 7,001 ft 150 ft ASP 97°
1.3 kt 5.8 kt
103° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KBED

6,158 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
72.8%
MVFR
12.8%
IFR
10.5%
LIFR
3.9%

Laurence G Hanscom Field typically experiences VFR conditions 72.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 14.4% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 7.9 knots, with gusts recorded up to 32 knots. Calm conditions occur 21.8% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -23°C to 29°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are November, September, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 7.9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 32 kt
Calm Winds: 21.8%
Direction Distribution:
N
9.5%
NE
5.6%
E
5.6%
SE
3.3%
S
9.9%
SW
14.1%
W
18.8%
NW
11.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 3.6°C
Range: -23°C to 29°C
-23°C 29°C

Visibility

Average: 9.1 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.1%
Fog Frequency: 2.7%

Best Months for VFR

November September February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.9 kt
Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.8 kt

Statistics computed from 6,158 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Laurence G Hanscom Field - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KBED
IATA Code: BED
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 133 ft MSL

Location

City: Bedford
Country: US
Latitude: 42.470001°
Longitude: -71.289001°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 5,106 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 11/29
Length: 7,001 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Laurence G Hanscom Field

Overview

Laurence G Hanscom Field serves the greater Boston metropolitan area, located in Bedford, Massachusetts. As a medium-sized airport positioned at 133 feet above mean sea level, it provides critical aviation infrastructure for general aviation, corporate, and military operations in the northeastern United States.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Hanscom Field demonstrate significant variability, with visual flight rules (VFR) predominating at 74.9% of observed periods. Pilots can expect westerly winds averaging 7.8 knots, with temperature ranges spanning from -17°C to 29°C, creating diverse flying environments throughout the year. November, September, and December offer the most consistently favorable VFR conditions.

Notable Features

The airport features two asphalt runways: Runway 05/23 at 5,106 feet and Runway 11/29 at 7,001 feet, providing flexible operational capabilities. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with modest average crosswind components of 4.8 and 4.5 knots respectively, enhancing landing and takeoff predictability.

Approach Considerations

With an average visibility of 9.1 statute miles and only 3.4% of observations showing visibility below 3 miles, Hanscom Field generally offers good visual approach conditions. Pilots should be prepared for occasional reduced visibility, with fog present in approximately 2% of observations, and be aware of the potential for instrument meteorological conditions during less favorable periods.

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.