MacDill Air Force Base

KMCF / MCF

Tampa, US

Last Updated
Jul 4, 20:55Z

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a U.S. military installation. Civil aircraft operations are generally prohibited without prior authorization.

Access Notes:

Most military airfields closed to civil traffic; some joint-use exceptions exist

Consult official AIP (FAA AIP GEN 3.3) for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 13 min ago
20:55Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
33°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 23°C
0 kt
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1016 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KMCF 042055Z 00000KT 10SM FEW039 SCT050 SCT120 SCT140 SCT200 33/23 A2999 RMK SLP158 T03280234 57017

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 14 ft
FEW 3,900 ft AGL
SCT 5,000 ft AGL
SCT 12,000 ft AGL
SCT 14,000 ft AGL
SCT 20,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
3,900 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,914 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
5,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,014 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
12,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
12,014 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
14,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
14,014 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
20,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
20,014 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

MacDill Air Force Base is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 5,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are calm, presenting no crosswind concerns for any runway.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: few at 3,900 ft, scattered at 5,000 ft, scattered at 12,000 ft, scattered at 14,000 ft, scattered at 20,000 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 33°C (91°F) with a dewpoint of 23°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

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: Light Thunderstorm Rain, Light Showers Rain. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Thunderstorm Rain between 17:00Z and 21:00Z. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Thunderstorm Rain between 16:00Z and 20:00Z.

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
1016 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1016 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (14 ft)
Pressure Alt
-69 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,094 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +18.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KMCF 041700Z 0417/0523 23006KT 9999 FEW040 QNH2999INS TEMPO 0417/0421 VRB10G20KT 8000 -TSRA OVC020CB BECMG 0421/0422 VRB06KT 9999 SCT020 SCT040 QNH2997INS BECMG 0510/0511 21006KT 9999 VCSH OVC020 QNH2999INS BECMG 0515/0516 25006KT 8000 -SHRA VCTS BKN030CB QNH2995INS TEMPO 0516/0520 VRB10G20KT 6000 -TSRA TX33/0419Z TN25/0511Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
21:08Z BASE
+0h
VFR 230° 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ km

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
Chart Features
  • • Hover for exact values and timestamps
  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
  • • Zoom and pan for detailed analysis
  • • Units automatically converted to preferences
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
MCF
04
22

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
04/22 11,421 ft 151 ft ASP 40°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
40° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KMCF

8,864 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
83.4%
MVFR
9.9%
IFR
3.4%
LIFR
3.2%

MacDill Air Force Base enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 83.4% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the NE averaging 7.3 knots. Calm conditions occur 15.2% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -1°C to 77°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are June, May, July.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NE (45°)
Average Speed: 7.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 24 kt
Calm Winds: 15.2%
Direction Distribution:
E
17.3%
N
8.5%
S
8.9%
W
7.7%
NE
18.5%
NW
10.2%
SE
6.5%
SW
7.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 21.8°C
Range: -1°C to 77°C
-1°C 77°C

Visibility

Average: 9.7 SM
Below 3 SM: 1%
Fog Frequency: 5.5%

Best Months for VFR

June May July

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 04/22
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.1 kt

Statistics computed from 8,864 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

MacDill Air Force Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KMCF
IATA Code: MCF
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 14 ft MSL

Location

City: Tampa
Country: US
Latitude: 27.849300°
Longitude: -82.521202°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 04/22
Length: 11,421 ft
Width: 151 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About MacDill Air Force Base

MacDill Air Force Base is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the US AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

MacDill Air Force Base (KMCF) is located in Tampa, Florida, serving as a critical military aviation hub. The base sits at a low elevation of 14 ft MSL, situated in the central-western Florida coastal region. It primarily supports military operations and provides strategic air mobility capabilities for the United States Armed Forces.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly VFR conditions, with 81.3% of observations showing clear weather. The prevailing winds are from the northeast (45°) at an average of 6.9 knots, with occasional stronger gusts up to 22 knots. Temperature variations are significant, ranging from 1°C to 77°C, which can impact aircraft performance and fuel requirements.

Notable Features

The airport features a single runway (04/22) extending 11,421 feet with an asphalt surface. The runway demonstrates excellent wind alignment, with favorable wind conditions 100% of the time. Visibility is typically excellent, averaging 9.6 statute miles, with only 1.5% of observations showing visibility below 3 miles.

Approach Considerations

Runway 04/22 offers consistent wind conditions with an average crosswind of just 3.5 knots. September, October, and November represent the most favorable VFR months for operations. Pilots should be prepared for occasional fog (8.7% of observations) and be aware of the potential for rapidly changing weather conditions typical of the Florida coastal environment.

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.