Red Deer Regional Airport

CYQF / YQF

Springbrook, CA

Last Updated
Jul 4, 11:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 25 min ago
11:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
10°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 9°C
5 kt
130°
9 SM
Visibility
19,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1013 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR CYQF 041100Z AUTO 13005KT 9SM SCT170 BKN190 BKN220 10/09 A2992 RMK SLP139

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 2,968 ft
SCT 17,000 ft AGL
BKN 19,000 ft AGL
BKN 22,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
17,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
19,968 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
19,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
21,968 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
22,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
24,968 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Red Deer Regional Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 19,000 feet and 9 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southeast (130°) at 5 knots. Runway 12/30 is favored with a 5-knot headwind and 1-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 9 SM. The ceiling is 19000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 10°C (50°F) with a dewpoint of 9°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 12 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: Mist, Light Showers Rain, FCST, FCST. There is a 30% probability of IFR conditions with Mist between 09:00Z and 12:00Z. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast with Light Showers Rain between 13:00Z and 16:00Z. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast with FCST, FCST between 16:00Z and 18:00Z.

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
1013 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
914 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (2,968 ft)
Pressure Alt
2,976 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 3,088 ft
ISA Deviation: +0.9°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF CYQF 040540Z 0406/0418 VRB03KT P6SM SKC FM040900 VRB03KT P6SM SCT200 PROB30 0409/0412 2SM BR FM041300 18005KT P6SM BKN090 TEMPO 0413/0416 P6SM -SHRA BECMG 0414/0416 31010KT FM041600 31010KT P6SM FEW080 TEMPO 0416/0418 BKN080 RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 041200Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:25Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >6SM
13:00Z FM041300
+2h
VFR 180° 5 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 9,000 ft
13:00Z TEMPO
+2h
VFR
Visibility: >6SM
Light Showers Rain
14:00Z BECMG
+3h
VFR 310° 10 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
YQF
12 ✈️
30
17
35

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 12/30
Active: 12
3,449 ft 100 ft ASP 130°
4.9 kt 0.9 kt
10° angle
17/35 7,500 ft 98 ft ASP 180°
3.2 kt 3.8 kt
50° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - CYQF

10,953 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
65.9%
MVFR
21.4%
IFR
9.6%
LIFR
3%

Red Deer Regional Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 65.9% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 12.6% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8.4 knots, with gusts recorded up to 35 knots. Temperature extremes range from -34°C to 30°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are May, October, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 35 kt
Calm Winds: 3.6%
Direction Distribution:
E
6.4%
N
18.5%
S
20.8%
W
6.6%
NE
7.2%
NW
18.2%
SE
9.9%
SW
8.9%

Temperature Range

Average: -0.8°C
Range: -34°C to 30°C
-34°C 30°C

Visibility

Average: 7.8 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.5%
Fog Frequency: 1.8%

Best Months for VFR

May October September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.1 kt
Runway 17/35
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4 kt

Statistics computed from 10,953 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Red Deer Regional Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: CYQF
IATA Code: YQF
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 2,968 ft MSL

Location

City: Springbrook
Country: CA
Latitude: 52.182201°
Longitude: -113.893997°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 12/30
Length: 3,449 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 17/35
Length: 7,500 ft
Width: 98 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Red Deer Regional Airport

Overview

Red Deer Regional Airport serves central Alberta as a medium-sized airport located near Springbrook, strategically positioned between Calgary and Edmonton. The airport supports regional aviation with two paved runways capable of handling a variety of aircraft operations. Its elevation of 2,968 feet MSL places it in a terrain that requires careful altitude management during approach and departure.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Red Deer demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) predominating at 69.6% of observations. Pilots can expect challenging conditions during winter months, with temperatures ranging from -31°C to 28°C and an average of -3.7°C. The prevailing southerly winds at an average of 7.5 knots create generally stable approach conditions, with maximum wind speeds reaching 35 knots.

Notable Features

The airport features two asphalt runways: 12/30 measuring 3,449 feet and 17/35 extending 7,500 feet. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with minimal average crosswind components of 4.7 and 3.4 knots respectively. Visibility averages 7.8 statute miles, though pilots should be prepared for reduced visibility, with 4.3% of observations showing less than 3 statute miles.

Approach Considerations

September through November represent the most consistent VFR flying months, offering optimal approach conditions. Both runways provide reliable wind alignment, making runway selection straightforward based on current wind conditions. Pilots should be prepared for potential low visibility scenarios, with fog present in 2% of observations and occasional Marginal VFR (18.8%) or Instrument Flight Rules (8%) 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.