Cavern City Air Terminal

KCNM / CNM

Carlsbad, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 10:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 19 min ago
10:53Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
12°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 1°C
17 kt
330° G23 kt
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1018 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KCNM 041053Z AUTO 33017G23KT 10SM CLR 12/01 A3005 RMK AO2 PK WND 32034/1000 SLP130 T01170011 $
QNH
1018 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
908 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (3,295 ft)
Pressure Alt
3,153 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 3,584 ft
ISA Deviation: +3.6°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KCNM 040940Z 0410/0506 35016G24KT P6SM FEW200 FM041700 01010KT P6SM FEW250 FM042200 16006KT P6SM SCT200
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:11Z BASE
+0h
VFR 350° 16 kt
Visibility: >6SM
17:00Z FM041700
+6h
VFR 10° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
22:00Z FM042200
+11h
VFR 160° 6 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
CNM
03
21
08
26
14L
32R
14R
32L ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
03/21 7,854 ft 150 ft ASP 44°
4.7 kt 16.3 kt
74° angle
08/26 5,333 ft 75 ft ASP 90°
8.5 kt 14.7 kt
120° angle
14L/32R 4,615 ft 150 ft ASP 156°
16.9 kt 1.8 kt
174° angle
✈️ 14R/32L
Active: 32L
5,839 ft 100 ft ASP 154°
16.7 kt 3.0 kt
10° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KCNM

4,116 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
95.7%
MVFR
2.3%
IFR
1.2%
LIFR
0.8%

Cavern City Air Terminal enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 95.7% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 8.4 knots, with gusts recorded up to 38 knots. Calm conditions occur 12.1% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -7°C to 37°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are March, January, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 8.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 38 kt
Calm Winds: 12.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
13.6%
NE
5.1%
E
4.7%
SE
15.3%
S
15.4%
SW
6.6%
W
18.1%
NW
9.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 15.4°C
Range: -7°C to 37°C
-7°C 37°C

Visibility

Average: 9.8 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.5%
Fog Frequency: 1.2%

Best Months for VFR

March January October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.8 kt
Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.1 kt
Runway 14L/32R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt
Runway 14R/32L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt

Statistics computed from 4,116 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Cavern City Air Terminal - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KCNM
IATA Code: CNM
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 3,295 ft MSL

Location

City: Carlsbad
Country: US
Latitude: 32.337502°
Longitude: -104.263000°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+7

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 7,854 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 08/26
Length: 5,333 ft
Width: 75 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 14L/32R
Length: 4,615 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 14R/32L
Length: 5,839 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Cavern City Air Terminal

Overview

Cavern City Air Terminal serves the Carlsbad, New Mexico region as a medium-sized airport located at 3,295 feet above mean sea level. The airport features four runways ranging from 4,615 to 7,854 feet in length, providing flexible operational capabilities for various aircraft types. Its strategic location in the southwestern United States supports regional transportation and local aviation needs.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KCNM are predominantly favorable for visual flight, with 95% of observations reporting VFR conditions. The airport experiences a wide temperature range from -7°C to 37°C, with an average of 15.5°C. Prevailing winds from the west (270°) average 8.1 knots, with occasional gusts up to 37 knots, and calm conditions occurring 12.9% of the time.

Notable Features

The airport's four asphalt runways offer multiple landing and takeoff options aligned with different wind directions. All runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind coverage, with modest average crosswind components ranging from 4.7 to 5.6 knots. The high elevation of 3,295 feet MSL may impact aircraft performance, particularly during warmer temperatures.

Approach Considerations

Pilots can expect excellent visibility averaging 9.8 statute miles, with minimal instances of restricted visibility (below 3SM in only 0.7% of observations). January, September, and October represent the best months for VFR flying, based on historical weather data. The multiple runway configurations provide flexibility for approach and departure procedures relative to prevailing wind conditions.

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.