KVBG/VBG METAR & TAF Vandenberg Space Force Base
Lompoc, CaliforniaElevation 369 ftMedium airport
CURRENT STATUS
VFR31 min old
No ceiling, visibility 10 SM.
FLIGHT CATEGORY
VFR
ceiling & visibility
WIND
130@6
steady
VISIBILITY
10 SM
16.1 km
CEILING
None
no BKN/OVC layer
DENSITY ALT
415 ft
+46 ft vs field
ACTIVE NWS ALERTS
Active weather alerts
Coastal Flood Advisory
25 1200Z to 29 2000Z
San Luis Obispo County Beaches; Santa Barbara County Central Coast Beaches; Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast; Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast; Ventura County Beaches; Malibu Coast; Los Angeles County Beaches
* WHAT...Minor to moderate coastal flooding expected due to very
high tides.
* WHERE...Coastal areas of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara,
and San Luis Obispo Counties.
* WHEN...From 5 AM Sunday to 1 PM PDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Minor to moderate flooding of sea water is likely
over vulnerable low-lying coastal areas, especially around the
time of high tide, including over beach parking lots,…
Listen to advice from local officials. Do NOT drive around
barricades or through water of unknown depth.
Alerts from the National Weather Service. For situational awareness only; always confirm against an official briefing.
CURRENT METAR
Decoded observation
KVBG is currently VFR. Winds are from the southeast at 6 knots. Visibility is 10 statute miles. There is no ceiling.
WIND
130° at 6 kt
Steady.
VISIBILITY
10 statute miles
16.1 km, good.
CEILING & SKY
CLR
FEW and SCT layers are not ceilings.
TEMP / DEWPOINT
16°C / 13°C
61°F / 55°F. 3°C spread.
ALTIMETER
30.08 inHg
1018.6 hPa, above standard.
WEATHER & HAZARDS
No significant hazards
No precipitation or obscuration reported.
REMARKS: DECODED
AO2
automated station with a precipitation discriminator (can tell rain from snow)
SLP188
sea-level pressure 1018.8 hPa
T01580131
precise temperature 15.8°C, dew point 13.1°C
FZRANO
freezing-rain sensor not operating
TSNO
thunderstorm/lightning sensor not operating
$
station needs maintenance
TERMINAL AERODROME FORECAST
TAF timeline
KVBG forecast starts MVFR at 22Z. Best period is 11Z to 16Z (VFR). Overall the forecast improves over the period.
- Maximum temperature 22°C expected at 2100Z on day 24.
- Minimum temperature 13°C expected at 1300Z on day 24.
2200Z3:00 PM0400Z9:00 PM1000Z3:00 AM1600Z9:00 AM2200Z3:00 PM0400Z9:00 PM
FAA: no delays reported at VBG.
Source: FAA System Operations (ASWS). Operational status only; verify with official FAA sources and NOTAMs.
SUGGESTED RISK · TRAINING USE
Suggested risk level: Low
›No significant weather concerns in the current report.
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 from 130° at 6 kt, visibility 10 SM, ceiling none. Forecast suggests today partly sunny, high near 70F, low near 53F, 1% chance of precipitation. Key risks: strong winds in the forecast.
PILOT WEATHER NOTES
Strong winds in the forecastWeather.gov
Monday: winds up to 26 kt. Re-check crosswind components closer to departure.
| Day | Conditions | Temp F | Wind | Gusts | Precip | Pilot note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Partly Sunny | 70/53 | NW 13 kt | – | 1% | |
| Monday | Patchy Fog | 69/54 | NNW 17 kt | 26 kt | 4% | Strong winds in the forecast |
| Tuesday | Patchy Fog | 69/54 | NNW 17 kt | 26 kt | 0% | |
| Wednesday | Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy | 67/54 | NNW 17 kt | – | 4% | |
| Thursday | Mostly Cloudy | 66/54 | NNW 9 kt | – | 26% | |
| Friday | Chance Rain Showers | 64/52 | NW 13 kt | – | 32% | |
| Saturday | Chance Rain Showers | 63/50 | NNW 13 kt | – | 38% |
Source: National Weather Service (office LOX). Forecast issued 1625Z.
Radar
Radar data: NOAA/NWS MRMS composite reflectivity. For situational awareness only, not a substitute for an official weather briefing.
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Visit David ClarkRUNWAYS & WIND
1 runway · crosswind ranking
WIND USED
130° at 6 kt
Components computed from the current on-field METAR wind.
RECOMMENDED
RWY 126 kt headwind · 1 kt crosswind
RUNWAYS BY WIND · best end
12
HEAD
6 kt
CROSS
1 kt L
30
HEAD
6 kt tail
CROSS
1 kt R
Components are estimates from the current METAR wind and runway heading. Verify with the Chart Supplement and NOTAMs.
RUNWAYS
Runway detail & declared distances
12/30
RWY 12137°T
ILSILS
Approach lightsALSF2
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternLeft
RWY 30317°T
ILSILS
Approach lightsALSF2
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
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
415 ft
Pressure altitude
209 ft
Field elevation
369 ft MSL
Temperature
16°C (61°F)
Dewpoint
13°C (55°F)
Altimeter
30.08 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
0141Z (6:41 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
Vandenberg Space Force Base is in Lompoc, California. Field elevation 369 ft MSL. Airport facts are drawn from OurAirports and the FAA NASR dataset.
OPERATIONS & CONTACT
OwnershipAir Force owned
UsePrivate use
TypeMedium airport
ManagerBASE OPERATIONS
Manager phone805-606-6941
AttendedDaily, 1600–0100Z++
CHARTS & AIRSPACE
ICAO / IATAKVBG / VBG
SectionalLOS ANGELES
Center (ARTCC)LOS ANGELES
Flight service (AFSS)HAWTHORNE
RegionCalifornia
CountryUnited States
Coordinates34.7373, -120.5840
Distance from city7 NM NW
SERVICES & LIGHTING
FuelJet A+
Control towerTowered
Field lightingSee remarks
BeaconSunset to sunrise · White-green (lighted land airport)
CTAF124.950
FREQUENCIES
Communications
124.15
SANTA BARB APP/DEP
A/D
31.1
COMD POST
ACP
133.125
ATIS
ATIS
124.95
CTAF
CTAF
121.75
GND/CLNC DEL
GCCD
121.4
RANGE CON
MISC
34.24
PMSV METRO
PMSV
126.2
PTD
PTD
124.95
TWR
TWR
Not all tower/ground/approach frequencies are in our datasets. Verify with the FAA Chart Supplement.
AIRCRAFT ACTIVITY
KVBG traffic patterns
TRAFFIC VOLUME (30-DAY)
AVG LANDINGS/DAY
3.1
AVG OPS/DAY
4.6
Operations trend (8 days)
Busiest day: Wed · Busiest month: Oct
FLEET MIX
Airliner 49%Turboprop 22%Unknown 16%Piston single 10%Jet 3%
Mostly airliner-class aircraft.
TOP AIRCRAFT TYPES
›PC12 (Turboprop) · ~6 landings/mo
›C17 (Airliner) · ~4 landings/mo
›C30J (Airliner) · ~4 landings/mo
›B737 (Airliner) · ~3 landings/mo
›DA40 (Piston single) · ~3 landings/mo
LIKELY BASED AIRCRAFT
Aircraft likely based near this airport (estimate), mostly turboprop aircraft.
›PC12 (Turboprop)
›UNKN (Unknown)
›C30J (Airliner)
›C17 (Airliner)
›T38 (Unknown)
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
AIRPORT REMARKS
Operational remarks
›CAUTION - USE EXTREME CTN FOR EXTENSIVE UAS OPS IN VCNTY.
›RWY 30 APCH LGT SYS IS NSTD ALSF2 CONFIGN. THLD LGTS ARE 16 FT FROM THE USBL PAVEMENT SFC.
›RWY 12 APCH LGT SYS IS NSTD ALSF2 CONFIGN.
›MISC: COMSEC MTRL MUST BE STORED AT SLD 30 COMD POST DSN 276-9961, C805-606-9961.
›CAUTION: ACFT TIE-DOWNS UNAVBL.
›CAUTION: OBST LGT ON WATER TWR LCTD 1.3 SM SW OF RWY 30 THLD O/S.
›MISC: ANY CHANGE TO ARR/DEP TIME MUST BE COORD THRU COMD POST, RE-APVL IS RQR IF NEW ETA/ETD IS OUTSIDE OF AFLD HRS OF OPR.
›CAUTION: ALTN HAZ CARGO PAD DOES NOT HAVE TIE DOWNS.
›CSTMS/AG/IMG: CUSTOMS UNAVBL.
›RSTD: ALPHA ROW ENG RUN-UP AREA UNAVBL.
›CAUTION: MKGS ON PRKG APRON FADED AND NON-RETROREFLECTIVE.
›WHEN ATCT CLSD ACTVT ALS RWY 30; PAPI RWY 30; HIRL RWY 12/30 - CTAF.
›RWY 12 ILS AND PAPI GS NOT COINCIDENTAL.
›TFC PAT: OVERHEAD 2400, RECTANGULAR 1400 FT, LGT ACFT/COPTER 900 FT.
›CLSD SAT, SUN AND HOL.
›TRAN ALERT: LTD FLEET SVC AVBL, CTC AM OPS.
›MISC: ALL ACFT REQ FULL STOP AT VBG OR SUPPORTING VBG VIP MOVEMENT, CTC PTD (OT COMD POST) 30 MIN PRIOR TO LDG. ALTN AFLD RQR. AM OPS DSN 276-6941/42, C805-606-6941/42 FAX EXTN 6664. RWY 12-30 GROOVED.
›MISC: EARLY/LATE ACFT ARR/DEP BEFORE/AFTER PUBL OR SKED AFLD OPERATING HRS SHALL EXP HOLDING WITH APCH CTL OR ARTCC TIL AFLD IS OPEN OR RON IF DEP. ACFT SHALL CTC COMD POST AT DSN 276-9961 PRIOR TO DEP WITH UPDATED ARR TIME. ENSURE PILOTS CK NOTAMS PRIOR TO DEP AS NOTAM WILL REFLECT AFLD HRS BASED ON APPROVED AFTER HRS REQ. CTC COMD POST 30 MIN OUT OR EARLIER.
›SVC BY TRUCK ONLY; EXP SVC DELAYS.
›TRAN ALERT: POTABLE WATER SVC UNAVBL.
›RWY-LGTS: RWY 30 - SF.
›FSS-HAWTHORNE HHR-NOTAM KVBG
›BCN OTS.
›OIL - O-148-156.
›FLUID - SP PRESAIR LPOX LOX LHNIT.
›CAUTION: INADQT WIND INDICATORS (WINDCONES) FOR RWY 12/30.
›MISC: AD WIND DRCTN INDCR OTS.
›AUTHORIZED FOR MILITARY USE ONLY. SAC/SPACE AND MISSILE TEST CENTER, AFSC.
›RSTD - ACTIVATION OF AN/APS 145 RADAR OR SIMILAR RADAR SYSTEMS IS PROH WHILE IN R2516, R2517, R2534A AND R2534B. CTC TWR ON GND PRIOR TO ENG START, ENG START OR AFLD OPR NOT AUTH TIL CTC WITH TWR IS MADE. NO INT DEP BTN OFFL SS-SR.
›CAUTION - UNCTL CIV ARPT TFC 7 NM SE. WHEN ARPT IS VMC ACFT WILL NOT EXCEED 1900' TIL CROS DEP END OF RWY TO AVOID OVERHEAD TFC PAT. HVY AND LARGE ACFT ARE REQ TO USE MIN TAXI PWR AND SHUT DOWN OR IDLE OUTBOARD ENG TO AVOID BLOWING FOREIGN OBJECT ONTO PAVEMENT.
›CAUTION - PRK RAMP IS NOT MRK FOR C-17 ACFT.
›REMARKS - FOR BASH INFO, SEE FLIP AP/1 SUPPLEMENTARY ARPT RMK.
›JASU - 4(A/M32A-86) 2(AM32-95).
›RSTD: PPR AT LEAST 24 HR IN ADVN, BUT NO EARLIER THAN 5 BUS DAYS IN ADVN. SEND EMAIL TO 30OSS.OSAA@US.AF.MIL FOR PPR REQ FORM. AM OPS DSN 276-6941 OR C805-606-6941/6942 FAX EXTN 6664. ACFT OPS OUTSIDE OF PUBL AFLD OPRG HRS MUST BE APV AT LEAST 48 HRS IN ADV THRU AFLD MGMT. GRD SUPPORT SVC UNAVBL FOR ARR/DEP OPS OUTSIDE OF PUBL OR SKED AFLD OPRG HRS.
›LTD TOW CPBLTY; CTC AIRFIELD MGMT FOR SPECIFICS.
›RWY-LGTS: RWY 12 - SF.
OFFICIAL LINKS & SOURCES
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Does KVBG have a METAR?
Yes. KVBG has a current METAR observation, decoded into plain English on this page.
Does KVBG have a TAF?
Yes, a TAF is issued for KVBG; the decoded forecast timeline is shown above.
What is the field elevation at KVBG?
KVBG sits at 369 ft MSL, which factors into the density-altitude estimate on this page.
Is this an official preflight weather briefing for KVBG?
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.