Williams Field Skiway

NZWD

McMurdo Station, AQ

Last Updated
Feb 16, 21:12Z

No METAR Available for NZWD

Showing weather from nearby airport with METAR data.

Currently using: NZWD
Weather Source: Williams Field Skiway (NZWD)
Distance: 0nm / 0km from NZWD

Current Weather

Display Units
Stale 383 hours ago
21:12Z

🌙 Night
IFR
Flight Rules
-7°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -11°C
21 kt
180° G30 kt
10+ km
Visibility
900 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
972 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI NZWD 162112Z 18021G30KT 9999 VCBLSN OVC009 M07/M11 A2871 RMK AO2A GRID35021G30KT SDP/HDP LAST

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 68 ft
OVC 900 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
900 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
968 ft AMSL
QNH
972 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
970 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (68 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,306 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -1,318 ft
ISA Deviation: -21.9°C

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
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Airport Runway Layout

N
ZWD
07 ✈️
25
15
33

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 07/25
Active: 07
10,000 ft 220 ft SNO 206°
7.2 kt 19.7 kt
110° angle
15/33 10,000 ft 220 ft SNO 295°
8.9 kt 19.0 kt
115° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - NZWD

2,283 observations | Oct 2025 - Feb 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
75.7%
MVFR
8.1%
IFR
6%
LIFR
10.2%

Williams Field Skiway typically experiences VFR conditions 75.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 16.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NE averaging 8.1 knots, with gusts recorded up to 120 knots. Temperature extremes range from -28°C to 3°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Fog is a notable factor, occurring in approximately 16.7% of observations, with visibility below 3 SM in 0% of reports. The best months for VFR flying are October, February, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NE (45°)
Average Speed: 8.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 120 kt
Calm Winds: 8.2%
Direction Distribution:
N
17%
NE
28.9%
E
20%
SE
4.7%
S
3.7%
SW
2.4%
W
7.4%
NW
7.5%

Temperature Range

Average: -9.4°C
Range: -28°C to 3°C
-28°C 3°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 16.7%

Best Months for VFR

October February November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 07/25
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.2 kt
Runway 15/33
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6 kt

Statistics computed from 2,283 METAR observations (Oct 2025 - Feb 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Williams Field Skiway - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: NZWD
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 68 ft MSL

Location

City: McMurdo Station
Country: AQ
Latitude: -77.867401°
Longitude: 167.057007°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-11

Runway Information

Runway 07/25
Length: 10,000 ft
Width: 220 ft
Surface: SNO
ILS: No
Runway 15/33
Length: 10,000 ft
Width: 220 ft
Surface: SNO
ILS: No

Nearby Airports

VFR MVFR IFR LIFR No Data

About Williams Field Skiway

Overview

Williams Field Skiway serves the critical aviation needs of McMurdo Station in Antarctica, functioning as a key transportation link for scientific and logistical operations. Located at 68 feet above mean sea level, this medium airport provides essential air access to the Antarctic continent, supporting research and support missions in one of the world's most extreme environments.

Flying Conditions

Antarctic flying conditions at Williams Field are characterized by extreme cold and persistent snow coverage, reflected in the airport's snow-based (SNO) runway designations. The two parallel runways (07/25 and 15/33) are each 10,000 feet long, providing substantial landing and takeoff options for aircraft operating in this challenging polar environment.

Notable Features

The airport's geographic coordinates at -77.867401, 167.057007 place it in a unique polar landscape with significant terrain considerations. The relatively low elevation of 68 feet MSL belies the complex environmental challenges of operating aircraft in Antarctica, where surface conditions can change rapidly and visibility can be severely limited by polar weather patterns.

Approach Considerations

With two 10,000-foot runways oriented in different directions (07/25 and 15/33), pilots have flexibility in approach based on prevailing wind conditions. The snow surface runways require specialized equipment and techniques, with careful consideration of surface conditions and aircraft compatibility for safe operations in this extreme Antarctic environment.

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.