Grand Forks Air Force Base

KRDR / RDR

Grand Forks, US

Last Updated
Mar 7, 00:59Z

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a U.S. military installation. Civil aircraft operations are generally prohibited without prior authorization.

Access Notes:

Most military airfields closed to civil traffic; some joint-use exceptions exist

Consult official AIP (FAA AIP GEN 3.3) for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 28 min ago
00:59Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
-6°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -7°C
3 kt
10°
10 SM
Visibility
1,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1016 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KRDR 070059Z 01003KT 10SM OVC010 M06/M07 A2999 RMK AO2A SLP178 T10561074 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 913 ft
OVC 1,000 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
1,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,913 ft AMSL
QNH
1016 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
986 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (913 ft)
Pressure Alt
831 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -1,470 ft
ISA Deviation: -19.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF AMD KRDR 062228Z 0622/0724 VRB06KT 9999 OVC010 620102 QNH2989INS BECMG 0710/0711 VRB06KT 9999 SCT050 QNH2993INS TEMPO 0717/0721 20012G18KT TX02/0718Z TNM06/0713Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
01:27Z BASE
+0h
MVFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 1,000 ft
10:00Z BECMG
+9h
VFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ km

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
RDR
17
35 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 17/35
Active: 35
12,350 ft 150 ft ASP 180°
2.8 kt 1.0 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 - KRDR

5,981 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
54.2%
MVFR
25.1%
IFR
11.6%
LIFR
9.2%

Grand Forks Air Force Base is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 54.2% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 20.8% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 10.5 knots, with gusts recorded up to 40 knots. Temperature extremes range from -29°C to 36°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, November, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 10.5 kt
Maximum Recorded: 40 kt
Calm Winds: 9.7%
Direction Distribution:
N
26.6%
NE
10.3%
E
3.2%
SE
3.5%
S
16%
SW
11.3%
W
5.6%
NW
13.8%

Temperature Range

Average: -3.3°C
Range: -29°C to 36°C
-29°C 36°C

Visibility

Average: 9.3 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.6%
Fog Frequency: 1.5%

Best Months for VFR

October November September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 17/35
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt

Statistics computed from 5,981 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Grand Forks Air Force Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KRDR
IATA Code: RDR
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 913 ft MSL

Location

City: Grand Forks
Country: US
Latitude: 47.961102°
Longitude: -97.401199°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 17/35
Length: 12,350 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Grand Forks Air Force Base

Grand Forks Air Force Base is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the US AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

Grand Forks Air Force Base (KRDR) is a medium-sized military airport located in North Dakota at 913 feet mean sea level. Situated at coordinates 47.961102, -97.401199, the base serves strategic military aviation operations in the northern Great Plains region.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KRDR exhibit significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) prevailing 55.7% of the time. Pilots should anticipate potential instrument meteorological conditions, with MVFR conditions occurring 25.3% of observations and IFR/LIFR states combining for nearly 19% of recorded periods. Temperature ranges dramatically from -29°C to 36°C, requiring comprehensive preflight weather assessment.

Notable Features

The airport features a single runway (17/35) with an extensive 12,350-foot asphalt surface, capable of supporting large aircraft operations. Prevailing winds consistently originate from the north (0°), with an average speed of 10.5 knots and occasional gusts reaching 40 knots. Calm wind conditions occur approximately 8.9% of the time.

Approach Considerations

Runway 17/35 demonstrates favorable wind alignment, with wind conditions supporting 100% of approaches. Average crosswind components remain relatively moderate at 5 knots. Visibility typically remains excellent, averaging 9.3 statute miles, with minimal instances of restricted visibility (below 3SM occurring in only 1.6% of observations).

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.