Barksdale Air Force Base

KBAD / BAD

Bossier City, US

Last Updated
Apr 23, 09:55Z

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a U.S. military installation. Civil aircraft operations are generally prohibited without prior authorization.

Access Notes:

Most military airfields closed to civil traffic; some joint-use exceptions exist

Consult official AIP (FAA AIP GEN 3.3) for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 14 min ago
09:55Z

☀️ Day
IFR
Flight Rules
18°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 17°C
5 kt
110°
7 SM
Visibility
500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1014 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KBAD 230955Z AUTO 11005KT 7SM OVC005 18/17 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP138 T01810171 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 166 ft
OVC 500 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
666 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

IFR

Barksdale Air Force Base is currently reporting instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with overcast skies at 500 feet and 7 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the east-southeast (110°) at 5 knots. Runway 15/33 is favored with a 4-knot headwind and 3-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 7 SM. The ceiling is 500 feet AGL (overcast). Only precision approaches may be usable depending on minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 18°C (64°F) with a dewpoint of 17°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 30 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions.

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.

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

QNH
1014 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1008 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (166 ft)
Pressure Alt
144 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 544 ft
ISA Deviation: +3.3°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KBAD 230400Z 2304/2410 13010KT 9999 BKN030 QNH2999INS BECMG 2311/2312 16006KT 9999 OVC015 QNH2986INS BECMG 2320/2321 18012KT 9999 BKN020 QNH2979INS TX26/2320Z TN17/2311Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
10:08Z BASE
+0h
VFR 130° 10 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 3,000 ft
11:00Z BECMG
+1h
MVFR 160° 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
20:00Z BECMG
+10h
MVFR 180° 12 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 2,000 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
BAD
15 ✈️
33

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 15/33
Active: 15
11,756 ft 300 ft PEM 151°
3.8 kt 3.2 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 - KBAD

6,973 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
67.1%
MVFR
20.1%
IFR
9.8%
LIFR
3%

Barksdale Air Force Base typically experiences VFR conditions 67.1% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 12.8% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the SE averaging 7.1 knots, with gusts recorded up to 31 knots. Calm conditions occur 22% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -7°C to 37°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, September, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SE (135°)
Average Speed: 7.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 31 kt
Calm Winds: 22%
Direction Distribution:
N
11.1%
NE
4.8%
E
9.7%
SE
26.4%
S
10.2%
SW
1.5%
W
4%
NW
10.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 15.8°C
Range: -7°C to 37°C
-7°C 37°C

Visibility

Average: 9.1 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.9%
Fog Frequency: 2.6%

Best Months for VFR

October September February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 15/33
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.1 kt

Statistics computed from 6,973 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Barksdale Air Force Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KBAD
IATA Code: BAD
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 166 ft MSL

Location

City: Bossier City
Country: US
Latitude: 32.501801°
Longitude: -93.662697°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 15/33
Length: 11,756 ft
Width: 300 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No

About Barksdale Air Force Base

Barksdale Air Force Base is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the US AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

Barksdale Air Force Base is located in Bossier City, Louisiana, serving as a strategic military aviation facility. Situated at an elevation of 166 feet MSL, the base operates a medium-sized airport with a substantial 11,756-foot runway capable of handling large military aircraft. Its strategic location in the southeastern United States supports critical Air Force operations.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly favorable flying conditions, with 63.5% of observations reporting VFR conditions. The airport experiences consistent southeastern winds averaging 6.5 knots, with temperatures ranging from -4°C to 37°C. Seasonal variations are moderate, with October, September, and November offering the most stable VFR conditions, while winter and summer months present more variable weather patterns.

Notable Features

The airport's single runway (15/33) demonstrates excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage and an average crosswind of only 3 knots. Visibility is generally excellent, averaging 9 statute miles, with only 2.5% of observations reporting visibility below 3 miles. Calm wind conditions occur in 26.2% of observations, providing consistent operational flexibility.

Approach Considerations

Runway 15/33 offers predictable approach conditions with minimal wind interference. Pilots should be prepared for potential reduced visibility during the 3.7% of observations with fog conditions. Temperature variations and southeastern wind patterns should be considered during flight planning, with the prevailing wind direction consistently from 135 degrees.

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.