Cavern City Air Terminal

KCNM / CNM

Carlsbad, US

Last Updated
Apr 30, 05:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 31 min ago
05:53Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
19°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 8°C
10 kt
120°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1014 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KCNM 300553Z AUTO 12010KT 10SM CLR 19/08 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP090 T01940083 10289 20194 51009

Weather Briefing

VFR

Cavern City Air Terminal is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the east-southeast (120°) at 10 knots. Runway 14L/32R is favored with a 9-knot headwind and 3-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 19°C (66°F) with a dewpoint of 8°C, indicating relatively dry conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. Conditions are expected to remain VFR throughout the forecast period.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight.

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
904 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (3,295 ft)
Pressure Alt
3,273 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 4,544 ft
ISA Deviation: +10.6°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KCNM 300520Z 3006/0106 13006KT P6SM BKN200 FM301200 08007KT P6SM OVC170 FM301900 10010KT P6SM SCT060 OVC170 FM010200 16014KT P6SM OVC035
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
06:24Z BASE
+0h
VFR 130° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 20,000 ft
12:00Z FM301200
+6h
VFR 80° 7 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 17,000 ft

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
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
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°
2.4 kt 9.7 kt
76° angle
✈️ 08/26
Active: 08
5,333 ft 75 ft ASP 90°
7.7 kt 6.4 kt
40° angle
14L/32R 4,615 ft 150 ft ASP 156°
8.1 kt 5.9 kt
36° angle
14R/32L 5,839 ft 100 ft ASP 154°
8.3 kt 5.6 kt
34° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KCNM

5,479 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
95.3%
MVFR
2.4%
IFR
1.3%
LIFR
0.9%

Cavern City Air Terminal enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 95.3% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 9 knots, with gusts recorded up to 38 knots. Calm conditions occur 10.2% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -7°C to 39°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are January, March, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 38 kt
Calm Winds: 10.2%
Direction Distribution:
N
12.6%
NE
5.2%
E
4.5%
SE
15.7%
S
17%
SW
7.9%
W
18.5%
NW
8.4%

Temperature Range

Average: 16.5°C
Range: -7°C to 39°C
-7°C 39°C

Visibility

Average: 9.8 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.4%
Fog Frequency: 0.9%

Best Months for VFR

January March October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.1 kt
Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.5 kt
Runway 14L/32R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.5 kt
Runway 14R/32L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.5 kt

Statistics computed from 5,479 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 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.