Palo Alto Airport

KPAO / PAO

Palo Alto, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 17:47Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 23 min ago
17:47Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
16°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 11°C
12 kt
290°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KPAO 041747Z 29012KT 10SM SCT022 16/11 A3019

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 4 ft
SCT 2,200 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
2,200 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,204 ft AMSL

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
PAO
13
31 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 13/31
Active: 31
2,443 ft 70 ft ASP 142°
11.3 kt 4.1 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 - KPAO

2,364 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
83%
MVFR
11.5%
IFR
4.9%
LIFR
0.7%

Palo Alto Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 83% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 7.4 knots. Calm conditions occur 27.2% of the time. Temperature extremes range from 1°C to 34°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are February, January, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 7.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 24 kt
Calm Winds: 27.2%
Direction Distribution:
N
20.2%
NE
4%
E
2.5%
SE
10.3%
S
5.6%
SW
4.3%
W
7.4%
NW
18.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 14.7°C
Range: 1°C to 34°C
1°C 34°C

Visibility

Average: 9.4 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.7%
Fog Frequency: 0.9%

Best Months for VFR

February January October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.6 kt

Statistics computed from 2,364 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Palo Alto Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KPAO
IATA Code: PAO
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 4 ft MSL

Location

City: Palo Alto
Country: US
Latitude: 37.461102°
Longitude: -122.114998°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 13/31
Length: 2,443 ft
Width: 70 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Palo Alto Airport

Overview

Palo Alto Airport serves the San Francisco Bay Area as a medium-sized general aviation airport located in Silicon Valley. Situated at a low elevation of 4 ft MSL, the airport provides critical infrastructure for private, business, and training aviation operations in the technologically dense region of Santa Clara County.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly VFR conditions 80.8% of the time, with marginal VFR occurring in 12.6% of observations. The airport experiences consistent northerly winds averaging 7.4 knots, with a maximum recorded wind speed of 21 knots and calm conditions present 26.8% of the time. Temperature ranges from 1°C to 34°C, with an average of 15°C, providing generally stable flying conditions.

Notable Features

The airport features a single asphalt runway 13/31 measuring 2,443 feet in length, oriented to take advantage of the prevailing northerly winds. Its low elevation and proximity to the San Francisco Bay suggest potential for marine layer influence and visibility variations. The airport's location in Silicon Valley means it supports a mix of private, training, and business aviation traffic.

Approach Considerations

Runway 13/31 demonstrates favorable wind alignment 100% of the time, with an average crosswind component of just 3.7 knots. Pilots should note the best VFR months are January, September, and October. The consistently low crosswind and high percentage of VFR conditions make this airport generally accessible for most general aviation operations.

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.