Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

SCEL / SCL

Santiago, CL

Last Updated
May 14, 13:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 36 min ago
13:00Z

☀️ Day
IFR
Flight Rules
12°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 8°C
3 kt
350°
4 km
Visibility
15,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1017 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SCEL 141300Z 35003KT 300V030 4000 HZ BKN150 12/08 Q1017 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 1,555 ft
BKN 15,000 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
15,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
16,555 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

IFR

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is currently reporting instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with broken clouds at 15,000 feet and 4 km visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the north (350°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is reduced to 4 km. IFR conditions prevail and an instrument clearance is required for operations in controlled airspace. The ceiling is 15000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 12°C (54°F) with a dewpoint of 8°C. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread suggests high humidity and potential for visibility restrictions, especially during cooling periods.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Haze, Mist. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Mist between 12:00Z and 14:00Z. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Haze between 10:00Z and 12:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are required. Verify that destination and alternate approach minimums are above current and forecast conditions.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1017 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
965 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,555 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,443 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,456 ft
ISA Deviation: +0.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF COR SCEL 141125Z 1412/1512 VRB02KT 5000 HZ BKN150 TX23/1420Z TN09/1510Z TEMPO 1412/1414 3000 BR BECMG 1413/1415 8000 NSW SCT150 BECMG 1418/1420 18010KT CAVOK BECMG 1502/1504 VRB02KT BKN140 TEMPO 1510/1512 5000 HZ
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
13:35Z BASE
+0h
MVFR VRB 2 kt
Visibility: 5 km
Ceiling: 15,000 ft
Haze
18:00Z BECMG
+5h
VFR 180° 10 kt
Visibility: >10km

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
CEL
17L
35R ✈️
17R
35L ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 17L/35R
Active: 35R
12,303 ft 180 ft ASP 178°
3.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
✈️ 17R/35L
Active: 35L
12,303 ft 148 ft ASP 177°
3.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - SCEL

5,541 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
85.4%
MVFR
11.9%
IFR
1.5%
LIFR
1.3%

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 85.4% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8.3 knots, with gusts recorded up to 130 knots. Temperature extremes range from 1°C to 35°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are February, March, December.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 130 kt
Calm Winds: 6.1%
Direction Distribution:
E
1.2%
N
4.3%
S
42.5%
W
3.1%
NE
2.1%
NW
2%
SE
20.1%
SW
18.7%

Temperature Range

Average: 18.9°C
Range: 1°C to 35°C
1°C 35°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 1.8%

Best Months for VFR

February March December

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 17L/35R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.4 kt
Runway 17R/35L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.4 kt

Statistics computed from 5,541 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SCEL
IATA Code: SCL
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,555 ft MSL

Location

City: Santiago
Country: CL
Latitude: -33.393002°
Longitude: -70.785797°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 17L/35R
Length: 12,303 ft
Width: 180 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 17R/35L
Length: 12,303 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

Overview

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport serves as the primary international airport for Santiago, Chile's capital city. Located at coordinates -33.393002, -70.785797, this large airport sits at an elevation of 1555 feet above mean sea level. It supports comprehensive commercial and international flight operations with its substantial infrastructure.

Flying Conditions

Santiago's airport experiences varied meteorological conditions typical of central Chile's intermediate climate zone. The airport's high elevation at 1555 ft MSL and proximity to the Andes mountains can create complex atmospheric interactions affecting local wind patterns and visibility. Pilots should anticipate potential wind shear and turbulence, particularly during seasonal transition periods.

Notable Features

The airport features two parallel runways (17L/35R and 17R/35L), each measuring 12,303 feet in length and constructed with asphalt surfaces. These parallel runways provide significant operational flexibility, allowing simultaneous approach and departure procedures. The geographic positioning near the Andes creates unique terrain-influenced aeronautical considerations for arriving and departing aircraft.

Approach Considerations

Runway orientation (17/35) suggests prevailing wind patterns typically favor north-south approaches. The substantial runway lengths of 12,303 feet provide ample space for diverse aircraft types, from regional jets to wide-body international carriers. Pilots should prepare for potential mountainous terrain influences during approach and departure phases, maintaining heightened situational awareness.

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.