Polokwane International Airport

FAPP / PTG

Polokwane, ZA

Last Updated
Apr 24, 13:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Aging 1 hour ago
13:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
19°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 15°C
13 kt
50°
10+ km
Visibility
10,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1025 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR FAPP 241300Z 05013KT 9999 SCT020 BKN100 19/15 Q1025 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 4,076 ft
SCT 2,000 ft AGL
BKN 10,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
2,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
6,076 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
10,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
14,076 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Polokwane International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 10,000 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility. Note: This observation is 1.1 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the northeast (50°) at 13 knots. Runway 05/23 is favored with a 13-knot headwind and 0-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. The ceiling is 10000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 19°C (66°F) with a dewpoint of 15°C. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread suggests high humidity and potential for visibility restrictions, especially during cooling periods.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 8 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. 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
1025 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
889 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (4,076 ft)
Pressure Alt
3,724 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 5,182 ft
ISA Deviation: +12.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF AMD FAPP 241155Z 2410/2418 07010KT 9999 SCT020 OVC100 TX20/2410Z TN17/2418Z BECMG 2412/2414 BKN015 BECMG 2415/2417 BKN010
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
14:03Z BASE
+0h
VFR 70° 10 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
15:00Z BECMG
+1h
MVFR
Ceiling: 1,000 ft

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
APP
01 ✈️
19
05 ✈️
23

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 01/19
Active: 01
8,400 ft 148 ft ASP 359°
10.0 kt 8.4 kt
40° angle
✈️ 05/23
Active: 05
7,612 ft 148 ft ASP 38°
13.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - FAPP

5,322 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
80.5%
MVFR
16.7%
IFR
2%
LIFR
0.8%

Polokwane International Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 80.5% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the E averaging 5.8 knots. Temperature extremes range from 7°C to 38°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are February, April, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: E (90°)
Average Speed: 5.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 22 kt
Calm Winds: 5.7%
Direction Distribution:
E
35%
N
7.4%
S
7.3%
W
4.3%
NE
20.9%
NW
4.1%
SE
8.1%
SW
7.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 21.4°C
Range: 7°C to 38°C
7°C 38°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.7%

Best Months for VFR

February April September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.3 kt
Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.9 kt

Statistics computed from 5,322 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Polokwane International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: FAPP
IATA Code: PTG
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 4,076 ft MSL

Location

City: Polokwane
Country: ZA
Latitude: -23.845269°
Longitude: 29.458615°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-2

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 8,400 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 05/23
Length: 7,612 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Polokwane International Airport

Overview

Polokwane International Airport serves the capital city of Limpopo Province in northeastern South Africa. Located at an elevation of 4,076 feet MSL, this medium-sized airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for the region. The airport supports both commercial and general aviation operations with its two substantial asphalt runways.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Polokwane are predominantly favorable for visual flight operations, with 78.9% of observations reporting VFR conditions. The prevailing easterly winds average 6.2 knots, with temperatures ranging from 7°C to 38°C and an average of 20.3°C. Pilots can expect excellent visibility, with an average of 10 statute miles and minimal instances of reduced visibility.

Notable Features

The airport features two parallel runways oriented in similar directions: Runway 01/19 at 8,400 feet and Runway 05/23 at 7,612 feet. Both runways demonstrate consistent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind conditions for operations. The airport's high elevation and relatively stable weather patterns make it a reliable aviation facility in the Limpopo region.

Approach Considerations

Both runways offer excellent wind conditions with minimal average crosswinds (4.6 knots for 01/19 and 3.1 knots for 05/23). September, October, and December represent the best months for VFR flying, characterized by stable weather patterns. Pilots should anticipate consistent easterly winds and prepare for potential temperature variations throughout the day.

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.