Columbia Metropolitan Airport

KCAE / CAE

Columbia, US

Last Updated
Mar 5, 07:56Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 32 min ago
07:56Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
15°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 15°C
3 kt
240°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1023 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KCAE 050756Z 24003KT 10SM CLR 15/15 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP227 T01560156 $
QNH
1023 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1015 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (236 ft)
Pressure Alt
-57 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 0 ft
ISA Deviation: +0.5°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KCAE 050530Z 0506/0606 VRB03KT P6SM SCT250 FM051000 00000KT 4SM BR BKN003 TEMPO 0510/0513 1/2SM FG VV002 FM051400 20004KT P6SM SCT004 BKN015 TEMPO 0514/0515 BKN004 FM051600 21007KT P6SM SCT035 BKN250 FM060000 VRB03KT P6SM BKN250
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
08:28Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >6SM
10:00Z FM051000
+2h
LIFR
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 300 ft
Mist
10:00Z TEMPO
+2h
LIFR
Visibility: 1/2SM
Ceiling: 200 ft
Fog
14:00Z FM051400
+6h
MVFR 200° 4 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft

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
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
CAE
05
23 ✈️
11
29

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 05/23
Active: 23
8,001 ft 150 ft PEM 45°
3.0 kt 0.5 kt
10° angle
11/29 8,601 ft 150 ft ASP 105°
2.1 kt 2.1 kt
135° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KCAE

4,491 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
76.8%
MVFR
12.2%
IFR
8.6%
LIFR
2.3%

Columbia Metropolitan Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 76.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 10.9% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 6.4 knots. Calm conditions occur 26.5% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -9°C to 35°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are November, October, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 6.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 25 kt
Calm Winds: 26.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
10.7%
NE
10.8%
E
7.2%
SE
2.6%
S
5.1%
SW
13.8%
W
15.5%
NW
7.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 12.2°C
Range: -9°C to 35°C
-9°C 35°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 3%
Fog Frequency: 4%

Best Months for VFR

November October September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.3 kt
Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.2 kt

Statistics computed from 4,491 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KCAE
IATA Code: CAE
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 236 ft MSL

Location

City: Columbia
Country: US
Latitude: 33.938801°
Longitude: -81.119499°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 8,001 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No
Runway 11/29
Length: 8,601 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Overview

Columbia Metropolitan Airport serves the Columbia metropolitan area in South Carolina, providing medium-level airport services for commercial, cargo, and general aviation operations. Located at an elevation of 236 feet MSL, the airport offers two substantial runways capable of handling a wide range of aircraft. Its strategic positioning in the southeastern United States makes it an important regional aviation hub.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly favorable Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions 80.5% of the time, with marginal and instrument conditions comprising the remaining 19.5%. Wind patterns are consistently from the west at an average of 6.3 knots, with occasional stronger gusts up to 25 knots. Temperature variations are significant, ranging from -7°C to 35°C, which can impact aircraft performance and fuel requirements.

Notable Features

The airport features two parallel runways with similar orientation: Runway 05/23 at 8,001 feet and Runway 11/29 at 8,601 feet, both providing excellent operational flexibility. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with minimal average crosswind components of 3.2 and 4.1 knots respectively. Visibility averages 9.1 statute miles, with occasional reduced visibility periods affecting approximately 6.7% of observations.

Approach Considerations

October, November, and September offer the most consistent VFR conditions for pilots. Calm wind conditions occur 28% of the time, allowing flexible runway selection. When planning approaches, pilots should anticipate potential reduced visibility during 4.3% of observations involving fog, and be prepared for potential instrument meteorological conditions during the remaining 19.5% of weather scenarios.

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.