Charleston International Airport

KCHS / CHS

Charleston, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 21:56Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 19 min ago
21:56Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
23°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 15°C
13 kt
170°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1023 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KCHS 042156Z 17013KT 10SM SCT250 23/15 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP233 T02280150

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 46 ft
SCT 25,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
25,046 ft AMSL
QNH
1023 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1021 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (46 ft)
Pressure Alt
-247 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 724 ft
ISA Deviation: +8.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KCHS 041738Z 0418/0518 16005KT P6SM SCT030 FM041900 18009KT P6SM SCT035 FM050600 VRB02KT 4SM BR SCT005 BKN012 FM050900 00000KT 1SM BR FEW002 BKN005 FM051400 19006KT P6SM FEW005 SCT020
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
22:14Z BASE
+0h
VFR 160° 5 kt
Visibility: >6SM
06:00Z FM050600
+8h
IFR VRB 2 kt
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 1,200 ft
Mist
09:00Z FM050900
+11h
IFR
Visibility: 1SM
Ceiling: 500 ft
Mist

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
CHS
03
21
15 ✈️
33

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
03/21 7,004 ft 150 ft ASP 24°
10.8 kt 7.3 kt
146° angle
✈️ 15/33
Active: 15
9,001 ft 200 ft CON 147°
12.2 kt 4.4 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KCHS

5,930 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
75.9%
MVFR
10.8%
IFR
8.2%
LIFR
5.1%

Charleston International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 75.9% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 13.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 7.3 knots. Calm conditions occur 14.6% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -7°C to 33°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are November, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 7.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 27 kt
Calm Winds: 14.6%
Direction Distribution:
N
19.3%
NE
13%
E
5.3%
SE
3.9%
S
9.3%
SW
10.1%
W
13.1%
NW
11.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 13.5°C
Range: -7°C to 33°C
-7°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 9.2 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.8%
Fog Frequency: 4.2%

Best Months for VFR

November September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.9 kt
Runway 15/33
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.9 kt

Statistics computed from 5,930 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Charleston International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KCHS
IATA Code: CHS
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 46 ft MSL

Location

City: Charleston
Country: US
Latitude: 32.898602°
Longitude: -80.040497°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 7,004 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 15/33
Length: 9,001 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Charleston International Airport

Overview

Charleston International Airport serves the Charleston metropolitan area in South Carolina, providing both commercial passenger and military aviation services. Located at an elevation of 46 feet MSL, the airport features two substantial runways capable of handling a wide range of aircraft operations. Its strategic coastal location makes it an important transportation hub for the southeastern United States.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly favorable flying conditions, with VFR conditions present 78.9% of the time. Temperature ranges from -6°C to 33°C, creating relatively stable operational environments throughout the year. Wind conditions are generally mild, with an average speed of 7.1 knots and a prevailing direction from the north, and calm conditions occurring 16.4% of the time.

Notable Features

The airport's two runways offer excellent operational flexibility, with Runway 15/33 providing an extended 9,001-foot concrete surface and Runway 03/21 offering a 7,004-foot asphalt runway. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with minimal average crosswind conditions (3.7kt for 03/21 and 4.8kt for 15/33). Visibility averages 9.3 statute miles, with limited instances of reduced visibility.

Approach Considerations

November, September, and January represent the best months for VFR operations, with consistently favorable weather conditions. Pilots should be aware of occasional reduced visibility, with fog present 4.9% of the time and visibility below 3 statute miles in 2.2% of observations. The airport's low elevation and coastal location suggest typical maritime meteorological influences that should be considered during flight planning.

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.