Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport

SOCA / CAY

Matoury, GF

Last Updated
May 15, 01:30Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 6 min ago
01:30Z

🌙 Night
IFR
Flight Rules
26°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 25°C
2 kt
120°
3.5 km
Visibility
1,400 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1015 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SOCA 150130Z AUTO 12002KT CAVOK 26/25 Q1015 TEMPO 3500 SHRA SCT010CB BKN014TCU

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 26 ft
SCT 1,000 ft AGL (CB)
BKN 1,400 ft AGL (TCU)
SCT (CB)
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
1,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,026 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN (TCU)
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
1,400 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,426 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

IFR

Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport is currently reporting instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with broken clouds at 1,400 feet and 3.5 km visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the east-southeast (120°) at 2 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is reduced to 3.5 km. IFR conditions prevail and an instrument clearance is required for operations in controlled airspace. The ceiling is 1400 feet AGL (broken), placing conditions in the MVFR category. Caution: cumulonimbus (thunderstorm) clouds reported at 1,000 ft AGL, indicating convective activity in the area.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 26°C (79°F) with a dewpoint of 25°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, Mist. There is a 40% probability of IFR conditions with Showers Rain between 00:00Z and 12:00Z. There is a 40% probability of LIFR conditions with Mist between 05:00Z and 10:00Z. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Showers Rain between 12:00Z and 21:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are required. Verify that destination and alternate approach minimums are above current and forecast conditions. 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.

QNH
1015 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1014 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (26 ft)
Pressure Alt
-27 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,299 ft
ISA Deviation: +11.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF AMD SOCA 150018Z 1500/1524 VRB02KT 9999 SCT015 BKN025 PROB40 TEMPO 1500/1512 3500 SHRA SCT010CB BKN014TCU PROB40 TEMPO 1505/1510 2500 BR OVC004 BECMG 1512/1514 08012KT TEMPO 1512/1521 2000 SHRA BKN012CB BKN018TCU BECMG 1522/1524 VRB02KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
01:35Z BASE
+0h
MVFR VRB 2 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
05:00Z PROB40 TEMPO
+4h
LIFR
Visibility: 2.5 km
Ceiling: 400 ft
Mist
12:00Z BECMG
+11h
VFR 80° 12 kt
12:00Z TEMPO
+11h
IFR
Visibility: 2 km
Ceiling: 1,200 ft
Showers Rain

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
OCA
08 ✈️
26

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 08/26
Active: 08
10,486 ft 148 ft ASP 65°
1.5 kt 1.3 kt
40° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - SOCA

11,311 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
28.8%
MVFR
48.2%
IFR
16.9%
LIFR
6.1%

Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 28.8% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 23% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the E averaging 7.5 knots. Calm conditions occur 11.7% of the time. The climate is relatively stable with temperatures averaging 26.8°C (range: 21°C to 34°C). The best months for VFR flying are September, October, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: E (90°)
Average Speed: 7.5 kt
Maximum Recorded: 19 kt
Calm Winds: 11.7%
Direction Distribution:
N
2.5%
NE
29.6%
E
41.9%
SE
4%
S
1.7%
SW
4.8%
W
3.1%
NW
0.6%

Temperature Range

Average: 26.8°C
Range: 21°C to 34°C
21°C 34°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 1.1%

Best Months for VFR

September October November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.4 kt

Statistics computed from 11,311 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SOCA
IATA Code: CAY
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 26 ft MSL

Location

City: Matoury
Country: GF
Latitude: 4.819964°
Longitude: -52.361326°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+3

Runway Information

Runway 08/26
Length: 10,486 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport

Overview

Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport serves as the primary international airport for French Guiana, located in Matoury near Cayenne. Situated at an elevation of 26 feet mean sea level, this large airport provides critical air transportation infrastructure for the northeastern coastal region of South America. The airport supports both commercial passenger and cargo operations in this strategically positioned overseas French territory.

Flying Conditions

The airport's tropical equatorial location generates consistent but variable meteorological conditions characterized by high humidity and frequent precipitation. Pilots should anticipate potential convective activity and rapid weather transitions typical of the region's climate. The substantial runway length of 10,486 feet allows for flexible operations across diverse weather scenarios.

Notable Features

Positioned at coordinates 4.819964, -52.361326, the airport is situated in a coastal lowland area with minimal terrain complications. The single runway (08/26) is constructed with asphalt, providing a robust surface suitable for large aircraft operations. Its geographic position near the Atlantic coast means wind patterns can be complex and subject to marine influences.

Approach Considerations

The lengthy runway of 10,486 feet offers significant operational flexibility for approach and landing procedures. Pilots should prepare for potential crosswind conditions given the runway's 08/26 orientation. Standard instrument approach techniques recommended for tropical coastal environments will be most appropriate when navigating to Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport.

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.