Donegal Airport

EIDL / CFN

Donegal, IE

Last Updated
Jul 4, 08:30Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 18 min ago
08:30Z

☀️ Day
IFR
Flight Rules
15°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 14°C
18 kt
240°
7 km
Visibility
500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR EIDL 040830Z 24018KT 7000 OVC005 15/14 Q1022

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 30 ft
OVC 500 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
530 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

IFR

Donegal Airport is currently reporting instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with overcast skies at 500 feet and 7 km visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west-southwest (240°) at 18 knots. Runway 21 is favored with a 16-knot headwind and 9-knot crosswind component. Student pilots and low-time aviators should exercise caution.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 7 km, below VFR minimums in some airspace classifications. Check local requirements before departing VFR. The ceiling is 500 feet AGL (overcast). Only precision approaches may be usable depending on minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 15°C (59°F) with a dewpoint of 14°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 9 hours. IFR conditions are expected to persist or develop. An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are recommended. Expected weather includes: Light Drizzle, Mist. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast between 06:00Z and 15:00Z. There is a 30% probability of LIFR conditions with Light Drizzle, Mist between 06:00Z and 09:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

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

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF EIDL 040500Z 0406/0415 24017KT 9999 BKN005 TEMPO 0406/0415 24018G30KT BKN010 PROB30 TEMPO 0406/0409 3000 -DZ BR BKN002
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
08:47Z BASE
+0h
IFR 240° 17 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 500 ft

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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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
IDL
03
21 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 03/21
Active: 21
4,908 ft 98 ft BIT 20°
15.6 kt 9.0 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 - EIDL

6,730 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
69.8%
MVFR
25.3%
IFR
4.3%
LIFR
0.5%

Donegal Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 69.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 4.8% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 14.3 knots, with gusts recorded up to 39 knots. Temperatures typically range between 0°C and 26°C with an average of 10.4°C. The best months for VFR flying are April, September, January.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 14.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 39 kt
Calm Winds: 0.3%
Direction Distribution:
E
9.2%
N
8%
S
27.3%
W
15.7%
NE
5.5%
NW
7.5%
SE
9.5%
SW
16.9%

Temperature Range

Average: 10.4°C
Range: 0°C to 26°C
0°C 26°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

April September January

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 8.6 kt

Statistics computed from 6,730 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Donegal Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: EIDL
IATA Code: CFN
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 30 ft MSL

Location

City: Donegal
Country: IE
Latitude: 55.044201°
Longitude: -8.341000°
Time Zone: Europe/Brussels

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 4,908 ft
Width: 98 ft
Surface: BIT
ILS: No

About Donegal Airport

Overview

Donegal Airport serves the northwestern region of Ireland, situated in County Donegal at an elevation of 30 feet MSL. The airport provides essential transportation infrastructure for this remote coastal area, supporting regional connectivity and general aviation operations. Its strategic location offers access to the rugged Donegal landscape and surrounding Atlantic coastal regions.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Donegal Airport are predominantly VFR, with 67.5% of observations showing favorable visual flight conditions. Pilots can expect consistent southerly winds averaging 14 knots, with occasional stronger gusts up to 39 knots. Temperature variations are moderate, ranging from 1°C to 19°C, with an average of 9.8°C, providing relatively stable flying conditions throughout the year.

Notable Features

The airport features a single runway (03/21) measuring 4,908 feet, constructed with bituminous surface. Its coastal location suggests potential for challenging wind conditions, with significant crosswind components. The surrounding terrain likely includes coastal landscapes typical of northwest Ireland, which may introduce complex local wind patterns and potential turbulence.

Approach Considerations

Runway 03/21 demonstrates highly favorable wind alignment, with 100% wind compatibility and an average crosswind of 8.2 knots. September, January, and November offer the most consistent VFR conditions for pilots. Minimal fog occurrence (0.1%) and excellent average visibility (10 statute miles) provide generally reliable approach and landing 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.