Columbia Metropolitan Airport

KCAE / CAE

Columbia, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 18:56Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 50 min ago
18:56Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
25°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 13°C
5 kt
Variable
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1024 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KCAE 041856Z VRB05KT 10SM FEW050 SCT250 25/13 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP235 T02500128

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 236 ft
FEW 5,000 ft AGL
SCT 25,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
5,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,236 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
25,236 ft AMSL
QNH
1024 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1016 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (236 ft)
Pressure Alt
-87 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,170 ft
ISA Deviation: +10.5°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KCAE 041721Z 0418/0518 22006KT P6SM SCT250 FM050000 VRB03KT P6SM SCT250 FM050900 00000KT 2SM BR SCT003 TEMPO 0510/0513 BKN003 FM051400 19004KT P6SM BKN025
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
19:46Z BASE
+0h
VFR 220° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
00:00Z FM050000
+5h
VFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
CAE
05
23
11
29

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
05/23 8,001 ft 150 ft PEM 45° No wind data
11/29 8,601 ft 150 ft ASP 105° No wind data
🟢 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.