Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

SCEL / SCL

Santiago, CL

Last Updated
Mar 4, 11:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 51 min ago
11:00Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
16°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 7°C
0 kt
8 km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1012 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SCEL 041100Z 00000KT 8000 NSC 16/07 Q1012 NOSIG
QNH
1012 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
960 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,555 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,593 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,086 ft
ISA Deviation: +4.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF SCEL 041000Z 0412/0512 14005KT CAVOK TX32/0419Z TN12/0510Z BECMG 0417/0419 21013KT BECMG 0502/0504 15004KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:50Z BASE
+0h
VFR 140° 5 kt
Visibility: >10km
17:00Z BECMG
+6h
VFR 210° 13 kt

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
CEL
17L
35R
17R
35L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
17L/35R 12,303 ft 180 ft ASP 178°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
178° angle
17R/35L 12,303 ft 148 ft ASP 177°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
177° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - SCEL

3,920 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
88.9%
MVFR
9%
IFR
1.3%
LIFR
0.9%

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 88.9% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8.7 knots. Temperature extremes range from 3°C to 35°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are March, February, December.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 21 kt
Calm Winds: 5.8%
Direction Distribution:
N
3.3%
NE
1.5%
E
1%
SE
17.4%
S
43.8%
SW
22.9%
W
2.8%
NW
1.4%

Temperature Range

Average: 19.7°C
Range: 3°C to 35°C
3°C 35°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

March February December

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 17L/35R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.7 kt
Runway 17R/35L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.7 kt

Statistics computed from 3,920 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SCEL
IATA Code: SCL
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,555 ft MSL

Location

City: Santiago
Country: CL
Latitude: -33.393002°
Longitude: -70.785797°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 17L/35R
Length: 12,303 ft
Width: 180 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 17R/35L
Length: 12,303 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

Overview

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport serves as the primary international airport for Santiago, Chile's capital city. Located at coordinates -33.393002, -70.785797, this large airport sits at an elevation of 1555 feet above mean sea level. It supports comprehensive commercial and international flight operations with its substantial infrastructure.

Flying Conditions

Santiago's airport experiences varied meteorological conditions typical of central Chile's intermediate climate zone. The airport's high elevation at 1555 ft MSL and proximity to the Andes mountains can create complex atmospheric interactions affecting local wind patterns and visibility. Pilots should anticipate potential wind shear and turbulence, particularly during seasonal transition periods.

Notable Features

The airport features two parallel runways (17L/35R and 17R/35L), each measuring 12,303 feet in length and constructed with asphalt surfaces. These parallel runways provide significant operational flexibility, allowing simultaneous approach and departure procedures. The geographic positioning near the Andes creates unique terrain-influenced aeronautical considerations for arriving and departing aircraft.

Approach Considerations

Runway orientation (17/35) suggests prevailing wind patterns typically favor north-south approaches. The substantial runway lengths of 12,303 feet provide ample space for diverse aircraft types, from regional jets to wide-body international carriers. Pilots should prepare for potential mountainous terrain influences during approach and departure phases, maintaining heightened situational awareness.

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.