WxDecoder

KSMX/SMX METAR & TAF Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field

Santa Maria, CaliforniaElevation 261 ftMedium airport
CURRENT STATUS
LIFR26 min old
Ceiling 300 ft, visibility 7 SM.
FLIGHT CATEGORY
LIFR
ceiling & visibility
WIND
Calm
no steady wind
VISIBILITY
7 SM
11.3 km
CEILING
300 ft
lowest BKN/OVC
DENSITY ALT
132 ft
-129 ft vs field
CURRENT METAR

Decoded observation

Observed 0721Z (12:21 AM local) · 26 min old

KSMX is currently LIFR. Winds are calm. Visibility is 7 statute miles. The ceiling is 300 feet AGL. Main concerns: Ceiling 300 ft AGL.

WIND
Calm
No steady wind.
VISIBILITY
7 statute miles
11.3 km, good.
RVR RUNWAY 12
varying between 4,500 and more than 6,000 feet
Measured along the runway, not the prevailing visibility.
CEILING & SKY
Ceiling 300 ft
Lowest broken or overcast layer.
TEMP / DEWPOINT
15°C / 14°C
59°F / 57°F. 1°C spread.
ALTIMETER
30.11 inHg
1019.6 hPa, above standard.
WEATHER & HAZARDS
LOW CIG
Ceiling 300 ft AGL.

Codes in this report: AUTO OVC 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)
T01500139
precise temperature 15.0°C, dew point 13.9°C
$
station needs maintenance
TERMINAL AERODROME FORECAST

TAF timeline

Issued 0635Z (11:35 PM local) · valid to 0600Z (11:00 PM local)

KSMX forecast starts LIFR at 07Z. Worst period is 10Z to 16Z with LIFR possible (FG, LOW CIG, LOW VIS). Best period is 16Z to 20Z (VFR). Overall the forecast improves over the period.

OVC004400 ft · 5 SM
VV001100 ft · 0.5 SM
VFR
VFR
VFR
0700Z12:00 AM1136Z4:36 AM1612Z9:12 AM2048Z1:48 PM0124Z6:24 PM0600Z11:00 PM

Codes in this report: BR OVC FG VV SCT P6SM SKC

Tap any group to decode it.

FAA: no delays reported at SMX.

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

SUGGESTED RISK · TRAINING USE

Suggested risk level: Severe

›Conditions are LIFR.
›Low ceiling: 300 ft AGL.
›Forecast: ceiling 400 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 LIFR, wind calm, visibility 7 SM, ceiling 300 ft. Forecast suggests monday patchy fog, high near 72F, low near 52F, 1% 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 72/52 NNW 13 kt 17 kt 1%
Tuesday Patchy Fog 73/52 N 13 kt 17 kt 0%
Wednesday Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy 70/51 N 9 kt – 0%
Thursday Mostly Cloudy 70/52 NW 9 kt – 8%
Friday Partly Sunny 67/50 NW 9 kt – 14%
Saturday Chance Rain Showers 64/50 NNW 9 kt – 45%
Sunday Chance Rain Showers 65 NNE 9 kt – 37%

Source: National Weather Service (office LOX). Forecast issued 0747Z.

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
2 runways · crosswind ranking
NESW02201230CALMCALMCALMCALMCALM
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

2 runways · longest 8,004 ft

02/20
Dimensions
5,199 x 75 ft
Surface
Asphalt (good)
RWY 0236°T
Landing length (LDA)5,199 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA5,199 / 5,199 / 5,199 ft
Traffic patternRight
RWY 20216°T
Landing length (LDA)5,199 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA5,199 / 5,199 / 5,199 ft
Traffic patternLeft
12/30
Dimensions
8,004 x 150 ft
Surface
Asphalt (fair)
Edge lights
HIGH
RWY 12135°T
Landing length (LDA)8,004 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA8,004 / 8,004 / 8,004 ft
ILSILS/DME
Approach lightsMALSR
VGSIPAPI (P4R)
Traffic patternRight
RWY 30315°T
Landing length (LDA)8,004 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA8,004 / 8,004 / 8,004 ft
VGSIPAPI (P4R)
Traffic patternLeft

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
132 ft
Pressure altitude
71 ft
Field elevation
261 ft MSL
Temperature
15°C (59°F)
Dewpoint
14°C (57°F)
Altimeter
30.11 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
0115Z 6:15 PM
Sunrise
1417Z 7:17 AM
Loggable night
0140Z (6:40 PM local) → 1351Z (6:51 AM local)
end of evening to start of morning civil twilight
Position lights required
0115Z (6:15 PM local) → 1417Z (7:17 AM local)
sunset to sunrise (91.209)
Night passenger currency
0215Z (7:15 PM local) → 1317Z (6:17 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

Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field is in Santa Maria, California. Field elevation 261 ft MSL. Airport facts are drawn from OurAirports and the FAA NASR dataset.

OPERATIONS & CONTACT
OwnershipPublicly owned
UseOpen to the public
TypeMedium airport
Airline serviceYes
ManagerMARTIN PEHL
Manager phone805-922-1726
AttendedDaily, 0600–2200
CHARTS & AIRSPACE
ICAO / IATAKSMX / SMX
SectionalLOS ANGELES
Center (ARTCC)LOS ANGELES
Flight service (AFSS)HAWTHORNE
RegionCalifornia
CountryUnited States
Coordinates34.8989, -120.4570
Distance from city3 NM S
SERVICES & LIGHTING
Fuel100LL · Jet A
Control towerTowered
Field lightingSee remarks
BeaconSunset to sunrise · White-green (lighted land airport)
CTAF118.300
UNICOM122.950
FREQUENCIES

Communications

124.15
SANTA BARB APP/DEP
A/D
121.15
ATIS
ATIS
118.3
CTAF
CTAF
119.05
LOS ANGELES CENTER
CTR
121.9
GND
GND
111
HAWTHORNE RDO
RDO
118.3
TWR
TWR
122.95
UNICOM
UNIC
122.950
UNICOM
UNICOM

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

AIRCRAFT ACTIVITY

KSMX 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
24.3
AVG OPS/DAY
33
Activity trend over 18 days: falling, from 35 to 24 operations per dayOperations trend (18 days)

Busiest day: Sat · Busiest month: Jul

FLEET MIX
Piston single 38%Unknown 26%Turboprop 13%Jet 9%Airliner 6%Helicopter 6%Twin 2%

Mostly small piston aircraft.

TOP AIRCRAFT TYPES
›C172 (Piston single) · ~114 landings/mo
›P28A (Piston single) · ~45 landings/mo
›C208 (Turboprop) · ~35 landings/mo
›UNKN (Unknown) · ~30 landings/mo
›C182 (Piston single) · ~17 landings/mo
LIKELY BASED AIRCRAFT
Low-confidence estimate

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

›EC35 (Helicopter)
›AC90 (Unknown)
›CC11 (Unknown)
›C172 (Piston single)
›BE20 (Turboprop)

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.

KVBG Vandenberg Space Force Base
12 NM SW
VFR
KLPC Lompoc Airport
14 NM S
VFR
KSBP San Luis County Regional Airport
22 NM NW
VFR
KIZA Santa Ynez Airport
26 NM SE
IFR
KSBA Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
42 NM SE
VFR
KPRB Paso Robles Municipal Airport
47 NM N
VFR
AIRPORT REMARKS

Operational remarks

›TRANSIENT PILOTS REMAIN CLEAR OF COMMERCIAL RAMP AND TERMINAL.
›SELF SERVE FUEL 100LL AVBL 24 HRS LOCATED NORTH OF TOWER.
›CALM WIND LESS THAN 8 KNOTS USE RWY 30.
›RWY 02/20 NOT AVBL FOR PART 121/PART 380 OPS WITH SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 9 PAX SEATS AND NON-SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 30 PAX SEATS.
›NO TGL OPNS; LANDING PRACTICE OR PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES 2200-0700.
›PORTIONS OF TWY J NOT VISIBLE FM ATCT & UNLGTD.
›NUMEROUS BIRDS ON AND INVOF ARPT.
›CAUTION PARALLEL LGTD ROAD LESS THAN 1/4 MILE NW OF RY 12/30.
›TPA 1000; TURBOJET & PURE JET 1500.
›CLSD TO SUPPLL PART 121 AND PART 135 ACR OPNS EXCP 24 HRS PPR, CALL AMGR (805) 922-1726 WKDAYS 0800-1700.
›WHEN ATCT CLSD ACTVT MALSR RWY 12; PAPI RWY 30; HIRL RWY 12/30; TWY LIGHTS - CTAF. PAPI RWY 12 OPER CONSLY.
›ACFT FUEL SERVICING AVAILABLE 129.975.
›PCR VALUE: 442/F/B/X/U
›PCR VALUE: 200/F/A/Y/T
OFFICIAL LINKS & SOURCES
↗Official METAR on AviationWeather.gov
↗Search NOTAMs (official FAA NOTAM Search)
↗Wikipedia
↗KSMX on OurAirports
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Does KSMX have a METAR?
Yes. KSMX has a current METAR observation, decoded into plain English on this page.
Does KSMX have a TAF?
Yes, a TAF is issued for KSMX; the decoded forecast timeline is shown above.
What is the field elevation at KSMX?
KSMX sits at 261 ft MSL, which factors into the density-altitude estimate on this page.
Is this an official preflight weather briefing for KSMX?
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.