Cavern City Air Terminal

KCNM / CNM

Carlsbad, US

Last Updated
Jun 15, 15:23Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 5 min ago
15:23Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
22°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 18°C
4 kt
140°
10 SM
Visibility
3,800 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1022 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KCNM 151523Z AUTO 14004KT 10SM SCT026 OVC038 22/18 A3019 RMK AO2 T02220178

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 3,295 ft
SCT 2,600 ft AGL
OVC 3,800 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
2,600 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,895 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
3,800 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
7,095 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Cavern City Air Terminal is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with overcast skies at 3,800 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southeast (140°) at 4 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 3800 feet AGL (overcast), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 22°C (72°F) with a dewpoint of 18°C. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread suggests high humidity and potential for visibility restrictions, especially during cooling periods. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 23 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. 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
1022 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
912 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (3,295 ft)
Pressure Alt
3,033 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 4,664 ft
ISA Deviation: +13.6°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KCNM 151311Z 1513/1612 13005KT P6SM OVC025 FM151800 14008KT P6SM SCT045 BKN050 FM160200 16008KT P6SM FEW040 SCT200
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
15:28Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 130° 5 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
18:00Z FM151800
+3h
VFR 140° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
02:00Z FM160200
+11h
VFR 160° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
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°
0.4 kt 4.0 kt
96° angle
08/26 5,333 ft 75 ft ASP 90°
2.6 kt 3.1 kt
50° angle
14L/32R 4,615 ft 150 ft ASP 156°
3.8 kt 1.1 kt
16° angle
✈️ 14R/32L
Active: 14R
5,839 ft 100 ft ASP 154°
4.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KCNM

6,683 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
94.2%
MVFR
3.2%
IFR
1.5%
LIFR
1.1%

Cavern City Air Terminal enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 94.2% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 9 knots, with gusts recorded up to 38 knots. 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: S (180°)
Average Speed: 9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 38 kt
Calm Winds: 9.4%
Direction Distribution:
E
5.4%
N
11.7%
S
18.1%
W
17.3%
NE
5%
NW
7.8%
SE
17%
SW
8.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 17.9°C
Range: -7°C to 39°C
-7°C 39°C

Visibility

Average: 9.8 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.4%
Fog Frequency: 0.7%

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: 5.6 kt
Runway 14L/32R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.4 kt
Runway 14R/32L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.4 kt

Statistics computed from 6,683 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 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.