WxDecoder

KDCA/DCA METAR & TAF Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Washington, District of ColumbiaElevation 15 ftLarge airport
CURRENT STATUS
VFR11 min old
No ceiling, visibility 10 SM.
FLIGHT CATEGORY
VFR
ceiling & visibility
WIND
Calm
no steady wind
VISIBILITY
10 SM
16.1 km
CEILING
None
no BKN/OVC layer
DENSITY ALT
-1,144 ft
-1,159 ft vs field
CURRENT METAR

Decoded observation

Observed 0952Z (5:52 AM local) · 11 min old

KDCA is currently VFR. Winds are calm. Visibility is 10 statute miles. There is no ceiling.

WIND
Calm
No steady wind.
VISIBILITY
10 statute miles
16.1 km, good.
CEILING & SKY
CLR
FEW and SCT layers are not ceilings.
TEMP / DEWPOINT
9°C / 8°C
48°F / 46°F. 1°C spread.
ALTIMETER
30.37 inHg
1028.4 hPa, above standard.
WEATHER & HAZARDS
No significant hazards
No precipitation or obscuration reported.

Codes in this report: CLR RMK AO2

Hover or tap any group for a plain-English explanation.

REMARKS: DECODED
AO2
automated station with a precipitation discriminator (can tell rain from snow)
SLP285
sea-level pressure 1028.5 hPa
T00890078
precise temperature 8.9°C, dew point 7.8°C
TERMINAL AERODROME FORECAST

TAF timeline

Issued 0840Z (4:40 AM local) · valid to 1200Z (8:00 AM local)

KDCA forecast starts VFR at 09Z. Worst period is 11Z to 12Z with IFR possible (FG, LOW CIG, LOW VIS). Best period is 13Z to 20Z (VFR). Conditions are roughly steady over the period.

VFR
IFR
VFR
VFR
VFR
VFR
0900Z5:00 AM1424Z10:24 AM1948Z3:48 PM0112Z9:12 PM0636Z2:36 AM1200Z8:00 AM

Codes in this report: P6SM FEW TEMPO BR BKN SKC

Tap any group to decode it.

FAA: no delays reported at DCA.

Source: FAA System Operations (ASWS). Operational status only; verify with official FAA sources and NOTAMs.

SUGGESTED RISK · TRAINING USE

Suggested risk level: Low

›Temporarily forecast: ceiling 500 ft AGL.

A suggested risk level for training and situational awareness only, not a go/no-go authority. Verify with official sources and apply your personal minimums.

FORECAST & PILOT NOTES · SUPPLEMENTAL

Extended forecast and pilot notes

Current aviation conditions show flight category VFR, wind calm, visibility 10 SM, ceiling none. Forecast suggests monday patchy fog then sunny, high near 70F, low near 51F, 0% chance of precipitation. Key risks: no significant hazards are highlighted right now, but always confirm against an official briefing.

DayConditionsTemp FWindGustsPrecipPilot note
Monday Patchy Fog then Sunny 70/51 W 6 kt – 0%
Tuesday Sunny 71/49 NE 6 kt – 0%
Wednesday Partly Sunny 68/50 E 7 kt – 0%
Thursday Mostly Sunny 72/51 S 6 kt – 0%
Friday Sunny 76/55 W 5 kt – 0%
Saturday Partly Sunny 72/55 NE 7 kt – 8%
Sunday Chance Rain Showers 70 SE 9 kt – 28%

Source: National Weather Service (office LWX). Forecast issued 0911Z.

Radar

Radar data: NOAA/NWS MRMS composite reflectivity. For situational awareness only, not a substitute for an official weather briefing.

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RUNWAYS & WIND
3 runways · crosswind ranking
NESW153304220119CALMCALMCALMCALMCALM
WIND USED
Wind calm or variable
Crosswind ranking is unavailable until the wind has a steady direction.
Components are estimates from the current METAR wind and runway heading. Verify with the Chart Supplement and NOTAMs.
RUNWAYS

Runway detail & declared distances

4 runways · longest 7,169 ft

19X
Dimensions
0 x 0 ft
Surface
N/A
RWY 19X
ILSLDA/DME
15/33
Dimensions
5,204 x 150 ft
Surface
Asphalt (excellent)
Edge lights
MED
RWY 15143°T
Landing length (LDA)5,204 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA5,204 / 5,204 / 5,204 ft
REILYes
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternRight
RWY 33323°T
Landing length (LDA)5,204 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA5,204 / 5,204 / 5,204 ft
REILYes
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternLeft
04/22
Dimensions
5,000 x 150 ft
Surface
Asphalt (good)
Edge lights
MED
RWY 0426°T
Landing length (LDA)4,800 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA5,000 / 5,000 / 5,000 ft
Displaced threshold200 ft
REILYes
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternLeft
RWY 22206°T
Landing length (LDA)4,400 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA4,540 / 4,540 / 4,400 ft
REILYes
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternRight
01/19
Dimensions
7,169 x 150 ft
Surface
Asphalt (good)
Edge lights
HIGH
RWY 01356°T
Landing length (LDA)6,869 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA6,869 / 6,869 / 6,869 ft
ILSILS/DME
Approach lightsALSF2
VGSIPAPI (P4R)
Traffic patternLeft
RWY 19175°T
Landing length (LDA)6,869 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA6,869 / 6,869 / 6,869 ft
ILSLDA/DME
Approach lightsMALSF
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternRight

Runway data from the FAA NASR dataset (effective 2026-06-11). Verify with the current Chart Supplement and NOTAMs.

FIELD CONDITIONS

Performance & density altitude

Density altitude
-1,144 ft
Pressure altitude
-435 ft
Field elevation
15 ft MSL
Temperature
9°C (48°F)
Dewpoint
8°C (46°F)
Altimeter
30.37 inHg

Density altitude estimates how the aircraft performs versus standard atmosphere. Higher density altitude reduces climb performance and increases takeoff distance.

DAYLIGHT & NIGHT

Sun & logging windows

Sunset
2216Z 6:16 PM
Sunrise
1128Z 7:28 AM
Loggable night
2243Z (6:43 PM local) → 1101Z (7:01 AM local)
end of evening to start of morning civil twilight
Position lights required
2216Z (6:16 PM local) → 1128Z (7:28 AM local)
sunset to sunrise (91.209)
Night passenger currency
2316Z (7:16 PM local) → 1028Z (6:28 AM local)
1 hr after sunset to 1 hr before sunrise (61.57(b))

FAA definitions, shown in Zulu with airport-local time. Verify for your operation.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

Facility & services

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is in Washington, District of Columbia. Field elevation 15 ft MSL. Airport facts are drawn from OurAirports and the FAA NASR dataset.

OPERATIONS & CONTACT
OwnershipPublicly owned
UseOpen to the public
TypeLarge airport
Airline serviceYes
ManagerTERRY LIERCKE
Manager phone703-417-8050
AttendedContinuous (24 hours)
CHARTS & AIRSPACE
ICAO / IATAKDCA / DCA
SectionalWASHINGTON
Center (ARTCC)WASHINGTON
Flight service (AFSS)LEESBURG
RegionDistrict of Columbia
CountryUnited States
Coordinates38.8521, -77.0377
Distance from city3 NM S
SERVICES & LIGHTING
FuelJet A
Control towerTowered
BeaconSunset to sunrise · White-green (lighted land airport)
UNICOM122.950
FREQUENCIES

Communications

119.85
APP
APP
124.2
APP
APP
128.25
CLRD
CLRD
118.95
DEP
DEP
125.65
DEP
DEP
121.7
Washington Ground
GND
257.6
GND
GND
119.1
Washington Tower
TWR
134.35
TWR
TWR
257.6
Washington Tower ;Helicopters
TWR
122.95
UNICOM
UNIC
132.65
WX ASOS: (703-418-1177)
WXAS
122.950
UNICOM
UNICOM

Not all tower/ground/approach frequencies are in our datasets. Verify with the FAA Chart Supplement.

AIRCRAFT ACTIVITY

KDCA traffic patterns

2026-06-12 to 2026-10-23, 70 days observed · data 2026-10-23

High confidence
TRAFFIC VOLUME (30-DAY)
AVG LANDINGS/DAY
446.7
AVG OPS/DAY
472.7
Activity trend over 18 days: rising, from 495 to 503 operations per dayOperations trend (18 days)

Busiest day: Thu · Busiest month: Sep

FLEET MIX
Airliner 98%Unknown 1%

Mostly airliner-class aircraft.

TOP AIRCRAFT TYPES
›E75L (Airliner) · ~1731 landings/mo
›CRJ7 (Airliner) · ~1624 landings/mo
›CRJ9 (Airliner) · ~1182 landings/mo
›A319 (Airliner) · ~1071 landings/mo
›B738 (Airliner) · ~639 landings/mo
LIKELY BASED AIRCRAFT
Low-confidence estimate

Aircraft likely based near this airport (estimate), mostly large aircraft.

›CRJ7 (Airliner)
›AS65 (Helicopter)
›CRJ9 (Airliner)
›E75L (Airliner)
›A319 (Airliner)

This is an estimate based on repeated flight patterns, not registration data. Do not rely on it to identify specific aircraft or owners.

Data limitations (4)
›ADS-B coverage is incomplete; counts are an observed lower bound, not official totals.
›Some aircraft do not transmit usable ADS-B and are not counted.
›Aircraft types and based estimates are inferred and may be wrong.
›This is not official ATC, FAA, or airport data.
NEARBY AIRPORTS

Weather reference stations

Current flight category at nearby reporting stations.

KADW Joint Base Andrews
8 NM E
VFR
KCGS College Park Airport
9 NM NE
VFR
KDAA Davison Army Air Field
11 NM SW
VFR
KFME Fort Meade Executive Airport
19 NM NE
VFR
KGAI Montgomery County Airpark
20 NM N
VFR
KIAD Washington Dulles International Airport
20 NM W
VFR
AIRPORT REMARKS

Operational remarks

›ENGINEERED MATERIALS ARRESTING SYSTEM (EMAS) 332 FT IN LENGTH BY 170 FT IN WIDTH LCTD AT THE DER 33.
›FLOCKS OF BIRDS ON & INVOF ARPT; FQT GULL & GEESE & DUCK POPULATIONS AB OVER ADJ RIVER AREAS.
›TRNG FLIGHTS THAT INCLUDE MULTIPLE APCHS AND/OR TOUCH & GO OPNS REQUIRE PRIOR PERMISSION FM THE ARPT MGR.
›LEFT-HAND TURN-OFFS FROM RWY 33 TO TWY 'K' PROHIBITED.
›ACFT ARRIVING/DEPARTING THE GA PARKING AREA ARE PROHIBITED FM TAXING BTN ACR PUSHBACK OPNS & THE GATES.
›BE ADVISED SOME AIRCREWS MISTAKE RWY 15 FOR RWY 19.
›RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL ARPRT (KDCA) IS AN EMERGENCY USE ONLY FIELD FOR ALL DOD OWNED AND OPERATED ACFT.
›THREE OBSTRUCTION LGTS POLES--ONE 600 FEET LEFT, ONE ON CENTERLINE, ONE 600 FEET RIGHT.
›RWY 15 +8 FT BLAST FENCE 120 FT FM AER 250 FT RIGHT.
›+10 FT BLDG (L/M) +120 FT FROM AER 300 FT LEFT.
›RWY 06 +53 FT TREES 175 FT R @ THR.
›RWY 19 PAPI-4L CONSISTS OF TWO PAPI-4L SYSTEMS. RWY 19 PAPI-4L IS ROTATED 21 DEGS TO RIGHT OF CNTRLN. THE ROTATED PAPI-4L SYSTEM SUPPORTS VISUAL AND INSTR APCHS TO RWY 19. ADZY, ACFT ON TWY CREATE TMPRY OBSTN TO PAPI-4L.
›PCR VALUE: 540/F/B/W/T
›PCR VALUE: 420/F/B/W/T
›ENGINEERED MATERIALS ARRESTING SYSTEM (EMAS) 142 FT IN LENGTH BY 170 FT IN WIDTH LCTD AT THE DER 15.
›TWY N BTN APCH END RWY 15 AND TWY K CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 124FT.
›LGT FM VEHICLE PARKING LOT LCTD 1000 FT SW OF RWY 01 COULD GIVE FALSE INDICATIONS OF BEING PART OF RWY 01 APCH LGT SYS DRG PERIODS OF REDUCED VIS & LOW CEILINGS.
›FORM 150R CREDIT CARD FOR ALL RQRD SVCS. NO MIL FACS.
›ENGINEERED MATERIALS ARRESTING SYSTEM (EMAS) 336 FT IN LENGTH BY 170 FT IN WIDTH LCTD AT THE DER 04.
›PCR VALUE: 580/F/B/W/T
›THIS RWY EXISTS TO SUPPORT THE DCA LDA ASSOCIATED WITH THE ILS.
›TWY K ENDS AT GATE 5.

About Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

OFFICIAL LINKS & SOURCES
↗Official METAR on AviationWeather.gov
↗Search NOTAMs (official FAA NOTAM Search)
↗Official airport website
↗Wikipedia
↗KDCA on OurAirports
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Does KDCA have a METAR?
Yes. KDCA has a current METAR observation, decoded into plain English on this page.
Does KDCA have a TAF?
Yes, a TAF is issued for KDCA; the decoded forecast timeline is shown above.
What is the field elevation at KDCA?
KDCA sits at 15 ft MSL, which factors into the density-altitude estimate on this page.
Is this an official preflight weather briefing for KDCA?
No. wxdecoder.com is for education and situational awareness only. It is not an official weather briefing or a substitute for official sources, NOTAM review, and pilot judgment.
This app is for aviation weather education, training, and situational awareness only. It is not a substitute for an official weather briefing, approved flight-planning software, flight service, dispatch procedures, current FAA regulations, or pilot judgment. Always verify weather with official sources before flight.