Cotopaxi International Airport

SELT / LTX

Latacunga, EC

Last Updated
Apr 24, 11:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 19 min ago
11:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
5°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 4°C
3 kt
20°
10+ km
Visibility
4,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
349 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SELT 241100Z 02003KT 9999 BKN040 05/04 Q1031 RMK A3046

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 9,205 ft
BKN 4,000 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
4,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
13,205 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Cotopaxi International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 4,000 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the north-northeast (20°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. The ceiling is 4000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 5°C (41°F) with a dewpoint of 4°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. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast between 19:00Z and 21:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. 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
349 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
42 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (9,205 ft)
Pressure Alt
29,133 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 30,142 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +8.4°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF SELT 240520Z 2406/2506 15004KT 9999 SCT030 BKN100 BECMG 2415/2417 34010KT FEW030 TEMPO 2419/2421 FEW023TCU SCT030 BECMG 2423/2501 SCT030 BKN100 TX20/2419Z TN06/2411Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:19Z BASE
+0h
VFR 150° 4 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
15:00Z BECMG
+4h
VFR 340° 10 kt
19:00Z TEMPO
+8h
MVFR
23:00Z BECMG
+12h
VFR
Ceiling: 10,000 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
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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
ELT
18
36 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 18/36
Active: 36
12,117 ft 148 ft ASP 184°
2.8 kt 1.0 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - SELT

3,901 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
91%
MVFR
8.6%
IFR
0.4%
LIFR
0.1%

Cotopaxi International Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 91% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.1 knots, with gusts recorded up to 58 knots. Temperatures typically range between -3°C and 22°C with an average of 12.6°C. The best months for VFR flying are March, December, April.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 58 kt
Calm Winds: 0.4%
Direction Distribution:
E
3.6%
N
18.4%
S
53.6%
W
2.5%
NE
4.2%
NW
6.1%
SE
7.1%
SW
4.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 12.6°C
Range: -3°C to 22°C
-3°C 22°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.3%

Best Months for VFR

March December April

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 18/36
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 1.6 kt

Statistics computed from 3,901 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Cotopaxi International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SELT
IATA Code: LTX
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 9,205 ft MSL

Location

City: Latacunga
Country: EC
Latitude: -0.906833°
Longitude: -78.615799°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 18/36
Length: 12,117 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Cotopaxi International Airport

Overview

Cotopaxi International Airport serves Latacunga, Ecuador, situated at a high elevation of 9,205 feet mean sea level. The airport provides critical aviation infrastructure in a mountainous region, supporting medium-scale airport operations with a substantial 12,117-foot asphalt runway.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Cotopaxi strongly favor visual flight rules, with 90.3% of observations supporting VFR operations. The airport experiences consistent southerly winds averaging 7.3 knots, with occasional strong gusts up to 58 knots. Temperature variations range from -3°C to 22°C, with an average of 12.2°C, creating relatively stable atmospheric conditions.

Notable Features

The airport's high-altitude location at 9,205 feet presents significant performance considerations for aircraft operations. Pilots must account for reduced air density and its impact on aircraft lift and engine performance. The surrounding terrain includes mountainous landscapes typical of Ecuador's central highlands, requiring careful navigation and terrain awareness.

Approach Considerations

Runway 18/36 offers highly favorable wind conditions, with 100% wind alignment and minimal average crosswind of 1.6 knots. December, September, and January represent the best months for VFR flying, providing optimal visibility averaging 10 statute miles. Pilots should anticipate potential wind variability and prepare for high-altitude approach procedures.

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.