Lake Charles Regional Airport

KLCH / LCH

Lake Charles, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 11:32Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 18 min ago
11:32Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
20°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 20°C
7 kt
130°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KLCH 041132Z AUTO 13007KT 1/4SM FG VV002 20/20 A3010 RMK AO2 T02000200
QNH
1019 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1019 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (15 ft)
Pressure Alt
-158 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 446 ft
ISA Deviation: +5.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KLCH 041120Z 0412/0512 15006KT 1SM BR OVC003 TEMPO 0412/0414 1/2SM FG VV002 FM041500 14008KT P6SM BKN004 FM041700 17010KT P6SM BKN050 FM050300 15006KT P6SM OVC007 FM050600 15005KT 4SM BR OVC003
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:50Z BASE
+0h
LIFR 150° 6 kt
Visibility: 1SM
Ceiling: 300 ft
Mist
12:00Z TEMPO
+1h
LIFR
Visibility: 1/2SM
Ceiling: 200 ft
Fog
15:00Z FM041500
+4h
LIFR 140° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 400 ft
17:00Z FM041700
+6h
VFR 170° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft

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
LCH
05
23
15 ✈️
33

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
05/23 5,200 ft 100 ft ASP 51°
1.3 kt 6.9 kt
79° angle
✈️ 15/33
Active: 15
6,500 ft 150 ft CON 154°
6.6 kt 2.4 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 - KLCH

5,733 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
69%
MVFR
14.8%
IFR
8.7%
LIFR
7.6%

Lake Charles Regional Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 69% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 16.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.4 knots, with gusts recorded up to 39 knots. Calm conditions occur 17.5% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -6°C to 34°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Fog is a notable factor, occurring in approximately 13.2% of observations, with visibility below 3 SM in 4.7% of reports. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 39 kt
Calm Winds: 17.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
14.9%
NE
11%
E
10.4%
SE
13.1%
S
19%
SW
7.7%
W
3.2%
NW
3.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 17°C
Range: -6°C to 34°C
-6°C 34°C

Visibility

Average: 8.6 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.7%
Fog Frequency: 13.2%

Best Months for VFR

September October November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.7 kt
Runway 15/33
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt

Statistics computed from 5,733 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Lake Charles Regional Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KLCH
IATA Code: LCH
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 15 ft MSL

Location

City: Lake Charles
Country: US
Latitude: 30.126101°
Longitude: -93.223297°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 5,200 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 15/33
Length: 6,500 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Lake Charles Regional Airport

Overview

Lake Charles Regional Airport serves southwestern Louisiana as a medium-sized airport situated near the Gulf Coast. Located at coordinates 30.126101, -93.223297 with an elevation of 15 feet MSL, the airport provides critical regional aviation infrastructure. Its two runways support diverse general aviation, commercial, and potential military operations in the Lake Charles metropolitan area.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KLCH demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) predominating at 70.1% of observations. Pilots can expect prevailing southerly winds averaging 7.2 knots, with temperature ranges from -2°C to 34°C. Seasonal visibility averages 8.7 statute miles, though fog occurs in 12.4% of observations, and marginal conditions (MVFR/IFR) are present in approximately 22.9% of reports.

Notable Features

The airport features two runways: Runway 05/23 with 5,200 feet of asphalt surface, and Runway 15/33 with 6,500 feet of concrete surface. Both runways demonstrate consistent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage and minimal average crosswind conditions around 4.4-4.5 knots. The low elevation and coastal proximity suggest potential for rapid weather transitions.

Approach Considerations

September through November represent the most consistent VFR flying months, offering optimal approach conditions. Pilots should anticipate potential reduced visibility scenarios, with 4.3% of observations showing visibility below 3 statute miles. The dual runway configuration provides flexibility for wind management, with the longer Runway 15/33 offering additional landing options during variable 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.