Santa Maria Airport

LPAZ / SMA

Vila do Porto, PT

Last Updated
Mar 7, 06:30Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 14 min ago
06:30Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
14°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 8°C
12 kt
160°
10+ km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR LPAZ 070630Z 16012KT 9999 FEW026 14/08 Q1025

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 308 ft
FEW 2,600 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
2,600 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,908 ft AMSL

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF LPAZ 070500Z 0706/0812 16013KT 9999 FEW020 SCT040 BECMG 0722/0724 22013KT SCT008 BKN015 TEMPO 0800/0806 5000 RADZ BR SCT004 BKN008 BECMG 0804/0806 03017KT SCT015 BKN030 TEMPO 0806/0812 03020G32KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
06:44Z BASE
+0h
VFR 160° 13 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
PAZ
04
22
15
33
18 ✈️
36

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
04/22 334 ft 148 ft ASP 28°
8.0 kt 8.9 kt
132° angle
15/33 1,004 ft 148 ft ASP 136°
11.0 kt 4.9 kt
24° angle
✈️ 18/36
Active: 18
10,000 ft 197 ft CON 171°
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 - LPAZ

7,712 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
72.3%
MVFR
19.8%
IFR
4.2%
LIFR
3.7%

Santa Maria Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 72.3% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 7.9% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 12.8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 38 knots. Temperatures typically range between 9°C and 26°C with an average of 17.5°C. The best months for VFR flying are September, March, December.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 12.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 38 kt
Calm Winds: 0.4%
Direction Distribution:
N
10%
NE
7.9%
E
6.9%
SE
4.9%
S
14.4%
SW
16.1%
W
21.5%
NW
18%

Temperature Range

Average: 17.5°C
Range: 9°C to 26°C
9°C 26°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.8%

Best Months for VFR

September March December

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 04/22
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 8.1 kt
Runway 15/33
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 8.3 kt
Runway 18/36
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 8.6 kt

Statistics computed from 7,712 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Santa Maria Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: LPAZ
IATA Code: SMA
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 308 ft MSL

Location

City: Vila do Porto
Country: PT
Latitude: 36.971401°
Longitude: -25.170601°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+2

Runway Information

Runway 04/22
Length: 334 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 15/33
Length: 1,004 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 18/36
Length: 10,000 ft
Width: 197 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Santa Maria Airport

Overview

Santa Maria Airport serves Vila do Porto on the Azores archipelago, located in the mid-Atlantic region of Portugal. As a medium-sized airport with significant infrastructure, including a 10,000 ft concrete runway, it provides critical aviation services for the region. The airport operates at an elevation of 308 ft mean sea level, situated at coordinates 36.971401, -25.170601.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Santa Maria Airport are predominantly favorable for flight operations, with 77% of observations reporting VFR conditions. Temperatures range from 9°C to 26°C, averaging 18.1°C, which provides stable atmospheric conditions. Wind patterns are consistent, with a prevailing northwest direction at an average speed of 11.8 kt, rarely experiencing calm conditions with only 0.4% of observations showing no wind movement.

Notable Features

The airport features three runways with varying lengths and surfaces: a 334 ft asphalt runway (04/22), a 1,004 ft asphalt runway (15/33), and a substantial 10,000 ft concrete runway (18/36). Each runway demonstrates 100% favorable wind coverage, with consistent average crosswind conditions around 7-7.7 kt. The most favorable VFR flying months are September, January, and December.

Approach Considerations

Pilots can expect excellent visibility conditions, with an average visibility of 10 statute miles and no recorded instances of visibility below 3 SM or fog. All three runways offer consistently favorable wind alignments, providing flexible approach options. The longest runway (18/36) at 10,000 ft offers the most substantial landing and takeoff capabilities for various aircraft types.

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.