Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

KDCA / DCA

Washington, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 21:52Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 48 min ago
21:52Z

🌙 Night
IFR
Flight Rules
9°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 8°C
7 kt
50°
3 SM
Visibility
700 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1023 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KDCA 042152Z 05007KT 3SM -DZ BR OVC007 09/08 A3021 RMK AO2 RAE35DZB47 SLP228 P0001 T00940083 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 15 ft
OVC 700 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
700 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
715 ft AMSL
QNH
1023 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1023 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (15 ft)
Pressure Alt
-278 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -994 ft
ISA Deviation: -6.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KDCA 042057Z 0421/0524 02004KT 2SM -RA BR BKN008 BKN040 OVC050 FM042200 03003KT 5SM BR BKN008 OVC010 FM050000 05003KT 4SM BR BKN010 OVC030 FM050400 00000KT 2SM BR OVC006 FM050900 10003KT 1/4SM FG OVC003 FM051500 16003KT 5SM BR BKN009 OVC015 FM051800 16003KT P6SM BKN025 BKN090
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
22:39Z BASE
+0h
IFR 20° 4 kt
Visibility: 2SM
Ceiling: 800 ft
Light Rain, Mist
00:00Z FM050000
+2h
IFR 50° 3 kt
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 1,000 ft
Mist
04:00Z FM050400
+6h
IFR
Visibility: 2SM
Ceiling: 600 ft
Mist
09:00Z FM050900
+11h
LIFR 100° 3 kt
Visibility: 1/4SM
Ceiling: 300 ft
Fog

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
DCA
01
19
04 ✈️
22
15
33

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
01/19 7,169 ft 150 ft ASP 356°
4.1 kt 5.7 kt
54° angle
✈️ 04/22
Active: 04
5,000 ft 150 ft ASP 26°
6.9 kt 1.2 kt
10° angle
15/33 5,204 ft 150 ft ASP 142°
0.2 kt 7.0 kt
92° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KDCA

4,697 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
78.6%
MVFR
13.1%
IFR
6.7%
LIFR
1.6%

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 78.6% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 8.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8.2 knots. Temperature extremes range from -12°C to 32°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are January, November, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 27 kt
Calm Winds: 9.4%
Direction Distribution:
N
17.6%
NE
12.9%
E
4.9%
SE
2.9%
S
21.7%
SW
7.8%
W
7.5%
NW
15.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 7.7°C
Range: -12°C to 32°C
-12°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 9.3 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.8%
Fog Frequency: 1.8%

Best Months for VFR

January November October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.3 kt
Runway 04/22
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.3 kt
Runway 15/33
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt

Statistics computed from 4,697 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KDCA
IATA Code: DCA
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 15 ft MSL

Location

City: Washington
Country: US
Latitude: 38.852100°
Longitude: -77.037697°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 7,169 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 04/22
Length: 5,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 15/33
Length: 5,204 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Overview

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) is a critical transportation hub located in Washington, D.C., serving the national capital region. Situated at a low elevation of 15 feet mean sea level, the airport plays a crucial role in providing air transportation for government, business, and civilian passengers in the metropolitan area.

Flying Conditions

The airport's low elevation and proximity to the Potomac River create unique microclimate conditions that can impact flight operations. Pilots should anticipate potential wind variations and localized weather patterns typical of the mid-Atlantic coastal region, with seasonal changes affecting approach and departure conditions across the three available runways.

Notable Features

Ronald Reagan National features three asphalt runways with varying lengths: Runway 01/19 at 7,169 feet, Runway 04/22 at 5,000 feet, and Runway 15/33 at 5,204 feet. The airport's location within the densely populated Washington, D.C. metropolitan area requires precise navigation and adherence to specific airspace protocols.

Approach Considerations

Runway selection at KDCA will depend on current wind conditions, with the longer 01/19 runway offering the most flexibility for larger aircraft operations. Pilots should carefully review current meteorological data and be prepared for potential wind shifts due to the airport's coastal and urban environment.

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.