Grand Forks Air Force Base

KRDR / RDR

Grand Forks, US

Last Updated
Jul 4, 21:55Z

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
Recent 33 min ago
21:55Z
🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
31°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 17°C
0 kt
0°
10 SM
Visibility
∞
Ceiling
Unlimited
1014 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KRDR 042155Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 31/17 A2995 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SE SLP143 T03050165 $

Weather Briefing

VFR

Grand Forks Air Force Base is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

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

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 31°C (88°F) with a dewpoint of 17°C, indicating relatively dry conditions. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight.

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

QNH
1014 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
984 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (913 ft)
Pressure Alt
891 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 3,030 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +17.8°C

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
↑
RDR
17
35

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
17/35 12,350 ft 150 ft ASP 180°
↑ 0.0 kt • ↔ 0.0 kt
180° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging
Airport Operations & AIP Data

Fuel, parking, approach procedures, PPL info, and more

Weather Statistics - KRDR

9,572 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
61.3%
MVFR
21.1%
IFR
10%
LIFR
7.7%

Grand Forks Air Force Base typically experiences VFR conditions 61.3% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 17.7% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 10.9 knots, with gusts recorded up to 40 knots. Temperature extremes range from -29°C to 36°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are July, June, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 10.9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 40 kt
Calm Winds: 7.8%
Direction Distribution:
E
4.3%
N
27%
S
16.4%
W
6.8%
NE
10.1%
NW
13%
SE
5.1%
SW
9.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 1.6°C
Range: -29°C to 36°C
-29°C 36°C

Visibility

Average: 9.4 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.2%
Fog Frequency: 1.3%

Best Months for VFR

July June October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 17/35
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.2 kt

Statistics computed from 9,572 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Grand Forks Air Force Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KRDR
IATA Code: RDR
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 913 ft MSL

Location

City: Grand Forks
Country: US
Latitude: 47.961102°
Longitude: -97.401199°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 17/35
Length: 12,350 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

Flight Planning Tools

Crosswind
Calculate
Density Alt
913ft, 31°C
Performance
Takeoff/Landing
Regions
Browse airports

Nearby Airports

KGFK VFR
Grand Forks International Airport
9nm
17km
KTVF VFR
Thief River Falls Regional Airport
49nm
91km
KDVL VFR
Devils Lake Regional Airport
61nm
113km
KFAR VFR
Hector International Airport
67nm
124km
KJMS VFR
Jamestown Regional Airport
81nm
150km
VFR MVFR IFR LIFR No Data

About Grand Forks Air Force Base

Grand Forks 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

Grand Forks Air Force Base (KRDR) is a medium-sized military airport located in North Dakota at 913 feet mean sea level. Situated at coordinates 47.961102, -97.401199, the base serves strategic military aviation operations in the northern Great Plains region.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KRDR exhibit significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) prevailing 55.7% of the time. Pilots should anticipate potential instrument meteorological conditions, with MVFR conditions occurring 25.3% of observations and IFR/LIFR states combining for nearly 19% of recorded periods. Temperature ranges dramatically from -29°C to 36°C, requiring comprehensive preflight weather assessment.

Notable Features

The airport features a single runway (17/35) with an extensive 12,350-foot asphalt surface, capable of supporting large aircraft operations. Prevailing winds consistently originate from the north (0°), with an average speed of 10.5 knots and occasional gusts reaching 40 knots. Calm wind conditions occur approximately 8.9% of the time.

Approach Considerations

Runway 17/35 demonstrates favorable wind alignment, with wind conditions supporting 100% of approaches. Average crosswind components remain relatively moderate at 5 knots. Visibility typically remains excellent, averaging 9.3 statute miles, with minimal instances of restricted visibility (below 3SM occurring in only 1.6% of observations).

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.

Learn More

Recommended guides based on current conditions at KRDR

Aircraft Performance Factors
How weather affects takeoff and landing
hot
True Airspeed Explained
Calculate your actual speed through the air
hot
Density Altitude Explained
The invisible performance killer
hot
How to Read METAR Reports
Decode aviation weather observations step by step
Pre-Flight Weather Briefing Guide
Complete briefing checklist for safe flights
Relevant tools: Density Altitude Calculator Performance Calculator
View all learning resources →

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.