El Centro NAF Airport (Vraciu Field)

KNJK / NJK

El Centro, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 21:56Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 35 min ago
21:56Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
30°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -2°C
5 kt
170°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1011 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KNJK 042156Z COR 17005KT 10SM FEW250 30/M02 A2985 RMK AO2 SLP125 T03001017 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: -42 ft
FEW 25,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
24,958 ft AMSL
QNH
1011 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1012 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (-42 ft)
Pressure Alt
26 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,816 ft
ISA Deviation: +14.9°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KNJK 0415/0515 27006KT 9999 FEW250 QNH2994INS FM041800 VRB06KT 9999 SKC QNH2975INS TEMPO 0422/0501 16007KT FM050300 22008KT 9999 FEW250 QNH2976INS TX31/0422Z TN14/0513Z FS30130
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
22:30Z BASE
+0h
VFR 270° 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
03:00Z FM050300
+5h
VFR 220° 8 kt
Visibility: 10+ km

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
NJK
08
26
12 ✈️
30

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
08/26 9,503 ft 200 ft PEM 89°
0.8 kt 4.9 kt
81° angle
✈️ 12/30
Active: 12
6,823 ft 200 ft PEM 135°
3.2 kt 3.8 kt
50° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KNJK

5,677 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
97.6%
MVFR
1.5%
IFR
0.7%
LIFR
0.2%

El Centro NAF Airport (Vraciu Field) enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 97.6% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 6.6 knots. Calm conditions occur 16.9% of the time. Temperature extremes range from 2°C to 41°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are March, September, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 6.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 16.9%
Direction Distribution:
N
10.6%
NE
3.7%
E
3.4%
SE
4.9%
S
4.9%
SW
8.5%
W
38.5%
NW
8.6%

Temperature Range

Average: 19.1°C
Range: 2°C to 41°C
2°C 41°C

Visibility

Average: 9.8 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.5%
Fog Frequency: 0.3%

Best Months for VFR

March September February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.9 kt
Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.8 kt

Statistics computed from 5,677 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

El Centro NAF Airport (Vraciu Field) - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KNJK
IATA Code: NJK
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: -42 ft MSL

Location

City: El Centro
Country: US
Latitude: 32.829201°
Longitude: -115.671996°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 08/26
Length: 9,503 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No
Runway 12/30
Length: 6,823 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No

About El Centro NAF Airport (Vraciu Field)

Overview

El Centro NAF Airport (Vraciu Field) is a medium-sized naval air facility located in El Centro, California, situated at an unusually low elevation of -42 feet mean sea level. The airport serves naval aviation operations with two substantial runways capable of handling significant aircraft traffic. Its geographic position in Southern California provides strategic operational capabilities for military and potentially some civilian aviation activities.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences predominantly excellent visual flight conditions, with 97% of observations reporting VFR weather. Temperature ranges from 2°C to 41°C, with an average of 19.2°C, indicating significant thermal variability. Wind patterns are consistent from the west (270°), averaging 6.3 knots with occasional stronger gusts up to 30 knots, though calm conditions occur 18.4% of the time. September, October, and December represent the most favorable VFR months for aviation operations.

Notable Features

Both runways (08/26 and 12/30) are constructed with PEM (Possibly Equivalent Material) surfaces and offer substantial lengths of 9,503 and 6,823 feet respectively. The airport's negative mean sea level elevation is a unique geographical characteristic that could influence atmospheric and aircraft performance conditions. Both runways demonstrate excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage and minimal average crosswind components of 2.8 and 3.7 knots.

Approach Considerations

Pilots can expect consistently favorable wind conditions for both runways, with minimal crosswind challenges. Average visibility of 9.8 statute miles and extremely low occurrence of reduced visibility (only 0.6% below 3SM and 0.5% fog) suggest generally excellent approach conditions. The substantial runway lengths provide ample landing and takeoff capabilities for most aircraft types, with Runway 08/26 offering the longest surface at 9,503 feet.

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.