Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

KVPS / VPS

Valparaiso, US

Last Updated
Mar 5, 07:15Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 19 min ago
07:15Z

☀️ Day
LIFR
Flight Rules
18°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 17°C
0 kt
10 SM
Visibility
400 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1021 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KVPS 050715Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM OVC004 18/17 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP216 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 87 ft
OVC 400 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
400 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
487 ft AMSL
QNH
1021 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1018 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (87 ft)
Pressure Alt
-146 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 235 ft
ISA Deviation: +3.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KVPS 050200Z 0502/0608 15006KT 9999 OVC003 QNH3015INS TEMPO 0509/0512 0800 FG BKN001 BECMG 0512/0513 15008KT 9000 BR BKN005 BKN250 QNH3014INS BECMG 0515/0516 17012KT 9999 NSW BKN007 BKN250 QNH3015INS BECMG 0516/0517 17012KT 9999 BKN010 BKN250 QNH3015INS BECMG 0521/0522 16009KT 9999 BKN008 BKN250 QNH3016INS TX22/0521Z TN15/0512Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
07:33Z BASE
+0h
LIFR 150° 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 300 ft
09:00Z TEMPO
+2h
LIFR
Visibility: 0.8 km
Ceiling: 100 ft
Fog
12:00Z BECMG
+5h
IFR 150° 8 kt
Visibility: 9 km
Ceiling: 500 ft
Mist
15:00Z BECMG
+8h
IFR 170° 12 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 700 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
VPS
01
19
12
30

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
01/19 10,012 ft 300 ft ASP 12°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
12° angle
12/30 12,005 ft 300 ft ASP 120°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
120° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KVPS

6,562 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
69.7%
MVFR
13.7%
IFR
8.9%
LIFR
7.7%

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 69.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 16.6% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 7.1 knots, with gusts recorded up to 34 knots. Calm conditions occur 18% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -6°C to 34°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are March, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 7.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 34 kt
Calm Winds: 18%
Direction Distribution:
N
20.6%
NE
10.8%
E
10.2%
SE
9.8%
S
9.1%
SW
7.1%
W
6%
NW
8.5%

Temperature Range

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

Visibility

Average: 9.6 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.1%
Fog Frequency: 3.7%

Best Months for VFR

March September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4 kt
Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.7 kt

Statistics computed from 6,562 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KVPS
IATA Code: VPS
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 87 ft MSL

Location

City: Valparaiso
Country: US
Latitude: 30.483200°
Longitude: -86.525398°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 10,012 ft
Width: 300 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 12/30
Length: 12,005 ft
Width: 300 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

Overview

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport serves the northwestern Florida coastal region, situated in Valparaiso near the Gulf Coast. As a medium airport with two substantial asphalt runways, it provides critical aviation infrastructure for both commercial and general aviation operations in the Emerald Coast area.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences predominantly VFR conditions 70.8% of the time, with marginal and instrument conditions occurring less frequently. Temperature ranges from -2°C to 34°C, creating relatively stable flying environments, while prevailing northerly winds average 6.8 knots with occasional gusts up to 22 knots. September through November represent the most consistent VFR months for pilots.

Notable Features

Located at 87 feet mean sea level, the airport offers two long runways: 01/19 at 10,012 feet and 12/30 at 12,005 feet. Both runways demonstrate excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind conditions and minimal average crosswind components (3.8-4.5 knots). The geographic positioning provides relatively predictable wind patterns and good approach conditions.

Approach Considerations

With long, well-maintained runways and consistent wind patterns, pilots can expect reliable approach conditions. Visibility averages 9.6 statute miles, with only 1.2% of observations showing conditions below 3 miles. Fog occurs in 4.4% of observations, suggesting generally good visual meteorological conditions for most 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.