Whitecourt Airport

CYZU / YZU

Whitecourt, CA

Last Updated
Jul 4, 04:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Aging 1 hour ago
04:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
18°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 11°C
3 kt
230°
15 SM
Visibility
7,700 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1013 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR CYZU 040400Z 23003KT 140V250 15SM BKN077CB BKN240 18/11 A2990 RMK CB5CI2 CIG RAG LAST STFD OBS/NXT 041200Z SLP130 DENSITY ALT 3600FT

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 2,567 ft
BKN 7,700 ft AGL (CB)
BKN 24,000 ft AGL
☁️
BKN (CB)
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
7,700 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
10,267 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
24,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
26,567 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Whitecourt Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 7,700 feet and 15 SM visibility. Note: This observation is 2 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southwest (230°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 15 SM. The ceiling is 7700 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums. Caution: cumulonimbus (thunderstorm) clouds reported at 7,700 ft AGL, indicating convective activity in the area.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 18°C (64°F) with a dewpoint of 11°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 4 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain, FCST. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast between 19:00Z and 21:00Z. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Showers Rain, FCST between 21:00Z and 23:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. 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
1013 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
927 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (2,567 ft)
Pressure Alt
2,575 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 3,551 ft
ISA Deviation: +8.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF CYZU 031840Z 0319/0323 28008KT P6SM SCT050 SCT140 TEMPO 0319/0321 BKN050 FM032100 30008KT P6SM SCT050 TEMPO 0321/0323 VRB15G25KT P6SM -SHRA VCTS BKN050CB RMK NXT FCST BY 041400Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
05:58Z BASE
+0h
VFR 280° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
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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
YZU
11
29 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 11/29
Active: 29
5,800 ft 100 ft ASP 125°
1.5 kt 2.6 kt
60° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - CYZU

5,917 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
77.7%
MVFR
13.4%
IFR
7.1%
LIFR
1.8%

Whitecourt Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 77.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 8.9% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 33 knots. Temperature extremes range from -35°C to 29°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Low visibility conditions (below 3 SM) occur in 5.3% of weather observations. The best months for VFR flying are September, May, July.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 33 kt
Calm Winds: 4.5%
Direction Distribution:
E
22.5%
N
6.1%
S
3.7%
W
21.1%
NE
2.5%
NW
26.5%
SE
6.9%
SW
6.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 0°C
Range: -35°C to 29°C
-35°C 29°C

Visibility

Average: 12.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 5.3%
Fog Frequency: 2.3%

Best Months for VFR

September May July

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.9 kt

Statistics computed from 5,917 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Whitecourt Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: CYZU
IATA Code: YZU
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 2,567 ft MSL

Location

City: Whitecourt
Country: CA
Latitude: 54.143902°
Longitude: -115.787003°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 11/29
Length: 5,800 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Whitecourt Airport

Overview

Whitecourt Airport serves as a medium-sized airport located in central Alberta, Canada, positioned at 54.143902, -115.787003. Situated at an elevation of 2,567 feet MSL, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for the Whitecourt region, supporting various general aviation and local transportation needs.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Whitecourt Airport demonstrate predominantly favorable VFR flying conditions, with 77.1% of observations reporting visual flight rules. The airport experiences significant temperature variation, ranging from -31°C to 25°C, with an average temperature of -4.2°C. Prevailing northwest winds at an average of 7.7 knots and excellent average visibility of 12.7 statute miles contribute to generally stable flying conditions.

Notable Features

The airport features a single runway (11/29) measuring 5,800 feet with an asphalt surface, capable of accommodating a variety of aircraft. Wind patterns strongly favor runway operations, with 100% wind alignment and a minimal average crosswind of 2.5 knots. Pilots should note that September, October, and November represent the most consistently favorable VFR months.

Approach Considerations

Runway 11/29 offers predictable wind conditions, with northwest winds predominating at 315 degrees. Pilots can expect calm conditions approximately 4.6% of the time, with maximum wind speeds reaching 30 knots. Reduced visibility occurs in 5.5% of observations, with occasional fog present in 2.4% of reports, suggesting potential need for alternative approach strategies during certain conditions.

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.