Meadows Field

KBFL / BFL

Bakersfield, US

Last Updated
Apr 21, 17:54Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 4 min ago
17:54Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
13°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 11°C
14 kt
340° G22 kt
5 SM
Visibility
6,500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1015 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KBFL 211754Z 34014G22KT 5SM -RA OVC065 13/11 A2998 RMK AO2 PK WND 35026/1721 RAB20 SLP150 P0000 60001 T01330106 10183 20133 53028

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 510 ft
OVC 6,500 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
6,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
7,010 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Meadows Field is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with overcast skies at 6,500 feet and 5 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the north-northwest (340°) at 14 knots with gusts to 22 knots. Runway 30 is favored with a 11-knot headwind and 9-knot crosswind component (gusting to 14 knots crosswind).

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 5 SM. The ceiling is 6500 feet AGL (overcast), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 13°C (55°F) with a dewpoint of 11°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Light Rain, Light Thunderstorm Rain, Mist. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Light Thunderstorm Rain, Mist between 21:00Z and 01:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. 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.

QNH
1015 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
998 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (510 ft)
Pressure Alt
458 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 340 ft
ISA Deviation: -1.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KBFL 211120Z 2112/2212 35008KT P6SM SCT120 BKN250 FM212000 33013G23KT P6SM -RA BKN050 OVC120 PROB30 2121/2201 5SM -TSRA BR BKN050CB FM220600 33010KT P6SM SCT050 BKN100
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
17:58Z BASE
+0h
VFR 350° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 25,000 ft
20:00Z FM212000
+3h
VFR 330° 13 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
Light Rain
21:00Z PROB30
+4h
MVFR
Visibility: 5SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
Light Thunderstorm Rain, Mist

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
Chart Features
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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
BFL
12L
30R ✈️
12R
30L ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 12L/30R
Active: 30R
10,857 ft 150 ft ASP 135°
10.7 kt 9.0 kt
40° angle
✈️ 12R/30L
Active: 30L
3,700 ft 75 ft ASP 135°
10.7 kt 9.0 kt
40° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KBFL

9,119 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
67.8%
MVFR
17.6%
IFR
6.9%
LIFR
7.7%

Meadows Field typically experiences VFR conditions 67.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 14.6% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 5.6 knots. Calm conditions occur 30.9% of the time. Temperature extremes range from 1°C to 38°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Low visibility conditions (below 3 SM) occur in 5.4% of weather observations. The best months for VFR flying are April, March, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 5.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 29 kt
Calm Winds: 30.9%
Direction Distribution:
N
10.3%
NE
4.9%
E
11.4%
SE
9%
S
4%
SW
2.7%
W
11.3%
NW
15.7%

Temperature Range

Average: 13.9°C
Range: 1°C to 38°C
1°C 38°C

Visibility

Average: 7.8 SM
Below 3 SM: 5.4%
Fog Frequency: 9.5%

Best Months for VFR

April March September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 12L/30R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.7 kt
Runway 12R/30L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.7 kt

Statistics computed from 9,119 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Meadows Field - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KBFL
IATA Code: BFL
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 510 ft MSL

Location

City: Bakersfield
Country: US
Latitude: 35.433601°
Longitude: -119.056999°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 12L/30R
Length: 10,857 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 12R/30L
Length: 3,700 ft
Width: 75 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Meadows Field

Overview

Meadows Field serves Bakersfield, California, as a medium-sized airport located in the San Joaquin Valley. Situated at 510 feet mean sea level with coordinates 35.433601, -119.056999, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for the region. Its two asphalt runways offer substantial capacity for various aircraft operations.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Meadows Field demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions predominating at 58.6% of observations. Temperature ranges from 1°C to 38°C, with an average of 12.9°C, suggesting potential temperature-related performance considerations. Pilots should note that visibility averages 7.3 statute miles, with 12.7% of observations experiencing fog and 7.4% showing visibility below 3 statute miles.

Notable Features

The airport features two runways: 12L/30R at 10,857 feet and 12R/30L at 3,700 feet, both constructed of asphalt. Prevailing winds from the northwest (315°) average 5.5 knots, with calm conditions occurring 33.7% of the time. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with a consistent average crosswind of 2.6 knots.

Approach Considerations

September, October, and January represent the most favorable VFR months for operations at Meadows Field. Wind conditions are generally mild, with maximum recorded winds of 29 knots. The consistent runway orientation and low average crosswind suggest predictable approach and landing characteristics for most aircraft types.

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.