Caribou Municipal Airport

KCAR / CAR

Caribou, US

Last Updated
Apr 23, 03:54Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 41 min ago
03:54Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
2°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -1°C
5 kt
170°
10 SM
Visibility
7,500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1014 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KCAR 230354Z AUTO 17005KT 10SM OVC075 02/M01 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP148 T00171006

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 626 ft
OVC 7,500 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
7,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
8,126 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Caribou Municipal Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with overcast skies at 7,500 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south (170°) at 5 knots. Runway 19 is favored with a 5-knot headwind and 2-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 7500 feet AGL (overcast), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 2°C (36°F) with a dewpoint of -1°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. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain, Mist, Light Rain, Mist.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours. 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
1014 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
993 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (626 ft)
Pressure Alt
604 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -806 ft
ISA Deviation: -11.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KCAR 222337Z 2300/2324 17008KT P6SM OVC050 FM230300 15006KT P6SM VCSH SCT015 OVC025 FM230600 15006KT P6SM VCSH BKN008 OVC015 FM230800 15006KT 4SM -SHRA BR OVC008 FM231200 VRB03KT 3SM -RA BR OVC008 FM231800 36006KT P6SM VCSH SCT015 OVC025 FM232100 33006KT P6SM BKN040
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
04:34Z BASE
+0h
VFR 170° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
06:00Z FM230600
+2h
IFR 150° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 800 ft
08:00Z FM230800
+4h
IFR 150° 6 kt
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 800 ft
Light Showers Rain, Mist
12:00Z FM231200
+8h
IFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 800 ft
Light 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
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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
CAR
01
19 ✈️
11
29

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 01/19
Active: 19
4,003 ft 100 ft ASP 347°
4.7 kt 1.7 kt
20° angle
11/29 3,017 ft 75 ft ASP 86°
0.5 kt 5.0 kt
84° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KCAR

7,406 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
59.2%
MVFR
26.8%
IFR
10.7%
LIFR
3.2%

Caribou Municipal Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 59.2% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 13.9% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 7.4 knots. Calm conditions occur 13.5% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -28°C to 27°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Low visibility conditions (below 3 SM) occur in 6.5% of weather observations. The best months for VFR flying are September, February, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 7.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 27 kt
Calm Winds: 13.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
14.7%
NE
6%
E
5.3%
SE
5.8%
S
14.7%
SW
10.4%
W
12.2%
NW
17.4%

Temperature Range

Average: -2.2°C
Range: -28°C to 27°C
-28°C 27°C

Visibility

Average: 8.7 SM
Below 3 SM: 6.5%
Fog Frequency: 3.1%

Best Months for VFR

September February October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt
Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.9 kt

Statistics computed from 7,406 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Caribou Municipal Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KCAR
IATA Code: CAR
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 626 ft MSL

Location

City: Caribou
Country: US
Latitude: 46.871498°
Longitude: -68.017899°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 4,003 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 11/29
Length: 3,017 ft
Width: 75 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Caribou Municipal Airport

Overview

Caribou Municipal Airport serves the northern Maine region, situated in Aroostook County near the Canadian border. Located at an elevation of 626 feet MSL, the airport provides critical transportation infrastructure for the Caribou community and supports regional aviation needs with two asphalt runways.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Caribou Municipal Airport demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions predominating at 59.7% of observations. Winter temperatures can drop to -25°C, while summer peaks reach 27°C, presenting substantial seasonal challenges for pilots. Prevailing northwest winds at an average of 7.1 knots, with occasional gusts up to 27 knots, characterize the airport's typical wind environment.

Notable Features

The airport features two runways: Runway 01/19 at 4,003 feet and Runway 11/29 at 3,017 feet, both constructed of asphalt. Unique to this location, both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with minimal average crosswind conditions around 4.5-4.7 knots. The airport's geographic positioning in northern Maine contributes to its dynamic meteorological profile.

Approach Considerations

Pilots should anticipate excellent VFR conditions during September, October, and November, which represent the airport's most favorable flying months. Visibility averages 8.6 statute miles, with only 6.8% of observations showing visibility below 3 miles and occasional fog at 3.3% of recorded times. Both runways offer consistent wind conditions, providing flexible approach options for incoming aircraft.

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.