Tocumen International Airport

MPTO / PTY

Tocumen, PA

Last Updated
May 14, 12:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 30 min ago
12:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
26°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 24°C
4 kt
240°
9 km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1010 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR MPTO 141200Z 24004KT 9000 SCT018 26/24 Q1010 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 135 ft
SCT 1,800 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
1,800 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,935 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Tocumen International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 1,800 feet and 9 km visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west-southwest (240°) at 4 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 9 km. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: scattered at 1,800 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 26°C (79°F) with a dewpoint of 24°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 30 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Showers Rain. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast between 12:00Z and 16:00Z. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Showers Rain between 17:00Z and 21:00Z. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast between 22:00Z and 02:00Z.

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
1010 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1006 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (135 ft)
Pressure Alt
233 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,585 ft
ISA Deviation: +11.3°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF MPTO 141135Z 1412/1518 29005KT 9999 FEW018 TEMPO 1412/1416 VRB02KT PROB30 1417/1421 16006KT 6000 SHRA SCT016CB SCT090 TEMPO 1422/1502 01006KT TEMPO 1503/1507 VRB02KT TEMPO 1512/1516 02006KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
12:29Z BASE
+0h
VFR 290° 5 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
17:00Z PROB30
+5h
MVFR 160° 6 kt
Visibility: 6 km
Showers Rain
22:00Z TEMPO
+10h
VFR 10° 6 kt

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
PTO
03L
21R ✈️
03R
21L ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 03L/21R
Active: 21R
8,800 ft 200 ft ASP 31°
3.5 kt 2.0 kt
30° angle
✈️ 03R/21L
Active: 21L
10,006 ft 148 ft CON 29°
3.5 kt 2.0 kt
30° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - MPTO

5,696 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
93.6%
MVFR
5.3%
IFR
0.9%
LIFR
0.2%

Tocumen International Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 93.6% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 6.3 knots. Temperatures typically range between 19°C and 35°C with an average of 26.9°C. The best months for VFR flying are March, February, January.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 6.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 19 kt
Calm Winds: 1.4%
Direction Distribution:
E
4.9%
N
18.1%
S
12.4%
W
23.7%
NE
16.8%
NW
11.6%
SE
6.6%
SW
4.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 26.9°C
Range: 19°C to 35°C
19°C 35°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

March February January

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03L/21R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.6 kt
Runway 03R/21L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.6 kt

Statistics computed from 5,696 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Tocumen International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: MPTO
IATA Code: PTY
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 135 ft MSL

Location

City: Tocumen
Country: PA
Latitude: 9.071360°
Longitude: -79.383499°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 03L/21R
Length: 8,800 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 03R/21L
Length: 10,006 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Tocumen International Airport

Overview

Tocumen International Airport serves as Panama's primary international gateway, located in the metropolitan area of Panama City. Situated at 135 feet above mean sea level, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for Central America's transportation network. Its two substantial runways support large commercial aircraft operations and international passenger traffic.

Flying Conditions

Panama's tropical maritime climate results in consistent temperatures and high humidity throughout the year, with a pronounced wet season from May to December. Pilots should anticipate potential thunderstorm activity and reduced visibility during the rainy months, particularly in the afternoon and evening hours. The airport's low elevation and coastal proximity contribute to generally stable meteorological conditions.

Notable Features

The airport features two parallel runways with significant length: Runway 03L/21R at 8,800 feet and Runway 03R/21L at 10,006 feet, both capable of handling wide-body aircraft. Its geographic position near Panama City provides a strategic location for regional and international air traffic, with minimal surrounding terrain complications. The runways are constructed of asphalt (03L/21R) and concrete (03R/21L), offering reliable surface conditions.

Approach Considerations

Prevailing winds typically favor approaches along the 03/21 heading, which aligns with the runway orientation. Pilots should be prepared for potential wind shifts and turbulence due to the airport's proximity to coastal and urban environments. Standard instrument approach procedures are recommended, taking advantage of the airport's extended runway lengths for safe operations.

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.