João Paulo II Airport

LPPD / PDL

Ponta Delgada, PT

Last Updated
Apr 22, 19:30Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 36 min ago
19:30Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
14°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 12°C
20 kt
250°
10+ km
Visibility
1,400 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR LPPD 221930Z 25020KT 9999 FEW007 BKN014 FEW018TCU 14/12 Q1000

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 259 ft
FEW 700 ft AGL
BKN 1,400 ft AGL
FEW 1,800 ft AGL (TCU)
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
700 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
959 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
1,400 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,659 ft AMSL
🌤️
FEW (TCU)
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
1,800 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,059 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

João Paulo II Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with broken clouds at 1,400 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west-southwest (250°) at 20 knots. Runway 30 is favored with a 13-knot headwind and 15-knot crosswind component. Student pilots and low-time aviators should exercise caution.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. The ceiling is 1400 feet AGL (broken), placing conditions in the MVFR category. Caution: towering cumulus clouds reported at 1,800 ft AGL, indicating convective activity in the area.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 14°C (57°F) with a dewpoint of 12°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Showers Rain. Winds are forecast to reach up to 30 knots during the period. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Showers Rain between 18:00Z and 16:00Z. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast between 18:00Z and 00:00Z. There is a 30% probability of VFR conditions between 18:00Z and 20:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF LPPD 221700Z 2218/2318 27020KT 9999 SCT017 BKN030 TEMPO 2218/2316 8000 SHRA BKN012 FEW020CB TEMPO 2218/2224 27025G38KT PROB30 TEMPO 2218/2220 27030G43KT PROB40 TEMPO 2300/2312 27022G32KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
20:05Z BASE
+0h
VFR 270° 20 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 3,000 ft
00:00Z PROB40 TEMPO
+4h
VFR 270° 22 kt

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
  • • Hover for exact values and timestamps
  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
  • • Zoom and pan for detailed analysis
  • • Units automatically converted to preferences
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
PPD
12
30 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 12/30
Active: 30
8,192 ft 148 ft ASP 111°
12.9 kt 15.3 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 - LPPD

9,856 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
77.1%
MVFR
14.7%
IFR
5.7%
LIFR
2.6%

João Paulo II Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 77.1% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 8.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 11.5 knots, with gusts recorded up to 41 knots. Temperatures typically range between 7°C and 25°C with an average of 16.3°C. The best months for VFR flying are September, November, December.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 11.5 kt
Maximum Recorded: 41 kt
Calm Winds: 1%
Direction Distribution:
N
19.7%
NE
10.1%
E
3%
SE
2.9%
S
11.4%
SW
16.7%
W
22.1%
NW
13.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 16.3°C
Range: 7°C to 25°C
7°C 25°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.9%

Best Months for VFR

September November December

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 8 kt

Statistics computed from 9,856 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

João Paulo II Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: LPPD
IATA Code: PDL
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 259 ft MSL

Location

City: Ponta Delgada
Country: PT
Latitude: 37.741199°
Longitude: -25.697901°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+2

Runway Information

Runway 12/30
Length: 8,192 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

Nearby Airports

VFR MVFR IFR LIFR No Data

About João Paulo II Airport

Overview

João Paulo II Airport serves Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island in the Azores, Portugal. As a large airport with a substantial 8,192-foot runway, it plays a critical role in regional transportation and serves as a key aviation hub for the Azorean archipelago. The airport's elevation of 259 feet above mean sea level provides a moderate terrain profile for aircraft operations.

Flying Conditions

Located in the mid-Atlantic, João Paulo II Airport experiences maritime climate conditions typical of the Azores, characterized by moderate temperatures and potential maritime weather variations. The airport's geographic position can introduce rapid weather changes, with potential maritime fog and wind shifts that pilots should anticipate. The single runway (12/30) is oriented to accommodate prevailing wind patterns in this oceanic environment.

Notable Features

The airport is situated at coordinates 37.741199, -25.697901, positioned on São Miguel Island with surrounding maritime terrain. Its single asphalt runway provides substantial landing length at 8,192 feet, which supports a wide range of aircraft types and operational requirements. The moderate elevation and island location suggest potential for localized wind gradient and thermal effects during approach and departure.

Approach Considerations

Runway 12/30 offers a significant operational length, providing flexibility for various aircraft categories and approach scenarios. Given the maritime location, pilots should be prepared for potential wind shifts and visibility changes, particularly during seasonal transition periods. The runway's orientation suggests potential crosswind conditions that require careful wind assessment during landing and takeoff 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.