Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field

KSLE / SLE

Salem, US

Last Updated
Jul 4, 10:56Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 38 min ago
10:56Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
14°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 11°C
5 kt
290°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSLE 041056Z AUTO 29005KT CLR 14/11 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP187 T01390111 $

Weather Briefing

VFR

Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots. Runway 31 is favored with a 5-knot headwind and 2-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 14°C (57°F) with a dewpoint of 11°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. Conditions are expected to remain VFR throughout the forecast period.

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.

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

QNH
1019 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1012 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (214 ft)
Pressure Alt
42 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -27 ft
ISA Deviation: -0.6°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSLE 040520Z 0406/0506 31006KT P6SM SKC FM040900 34002KT P6SM BKN050 FM041700 36008KT P6SM SKC AMD LTD TO WIND AND CLD
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:33Z BASE
+0h
VFR 310° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
17:00Z FM041700
+6h
VFR 360° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
SLE
13
31 ✈️
16
34 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 13/31
Active: 31
5,811 ft 150 ft ASP 150°
4.7 kt 1.7 kt
20° angle
✈️ 16/34
Active: 34
5,145 ft 100 ft ASP 181°
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 - KSLE

8,489 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
71.6%
MVFR
16.2%
IFR
7.5%
LIFR
4.7%

Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field typically experiences VFR conditions 71.6% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 12.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 6.9 knots. Calm conditions occur 26% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -6°C to 37°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are July, June, May.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 6.9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 26 kt
Calm Winds: 26%
Direction Distribution:
E
1.3%
N
13.9%
S
27.1%
W
6.9%
NE
3.4%
NW
9.2%
SE
6.9%
SW
5.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 10.4°C
Range: -6°C to 37°C
-6°C 37°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.1%
Fog Frequency: 3.1%

Best Months for VFR

July June May

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt
Runway 16/34
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3 kt

Statistics computed from 8,489 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KSLE
IATA Code: SLE
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 214 ft MSL

Location

City: Salem
Country: US
Latitude: 44.909500°
Longitude: -123.002998°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 13/31
Length: 5,811 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 16/34
Length: 5,145 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field

Overview

Salem-Willamette Valley Airport serves the Salem, Oregon region as a medium-sized airport situated at 214 feet mean sea level. Located in the Willamette Valley, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for the surrounding agricultural and metropolitan areas, supporting both general aviation and regional transportation needs.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at McNary Field demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) predominating at 64.9% of observations. Pilots can expect prevailing southerly winds averaging 7 knots, with temperature ranges spanning from -4°C to 34°C. Seasonal visibility is generally excellent, averaging 8.5 statute miles, though pilots should anticipate occasional reduced conditions with fog affecting 4.8% of observations.

Notable Features

The airport features two asphalt runways: Runway 13/31 at 5,811 feet and Runway 16/34 at 5,145 feet. Both runways demonstrate highly favorable wind alignment, with 100% wind compatibility and minimal average crosswind components (4.6 knots for 13/31 and 2.7 knots for 16/34). The airport's moderate elevation and valley location contribute to relatively stable approach environments.

Approach Considerations

September, October, and January represent the most consistently favorable VFR months for operations. Pilots should be prepared for potential instrument meteorological conditions, with MVFR and IFR conditions collectively comprising approximately 27% of observations. Wind patterns suggest a consistent southerly flow, which can inform runway selection and approach planning.

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.