Whiteman Air Force Base

KSZL / SZL

Knob Noster, US

Last Updated
Jul 4, 02:55Z

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 43 min ago
02:55Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
27°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 22°C
3 kt
160°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1016 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSZL 040255Z 16003KT 10SM CLR 27/22 A3000 RMK AO2A SLP152 T02730222 52017 $

Weather Briefing

VFR

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

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southeast (160°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

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

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 27°C (81°F) with a dewpoint of 22°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

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. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Thunderstorm Rain between 15:00Z and 17:00Z. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Thunderstorm Rain between 03:00Z and 05:00Z.

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
987 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (870 ft)
Pressure Alt
788 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,437 ft
ISA Deviation: +13.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSZL 040300Z 0403/0509 20009KT 9999 SKC QNH2997INS BECMG 0413/0414 23010G15KT 9999 BKN070 QNH2992INS TEMPO 0415/0417 23015G25KT 6000 -TSRA BKN030CB BECMG 0421/0422 27009KT 9999 SCT040 QNH2991INS BECMG 0502/0503 34009KT 9999 SCT040 QNH2993INS TEMPO 0503/0505 02015G25KT 6000 -TSRA BKN030CB TX34/0422Z TN23/0412Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
03:38Z BASE
+0h
VFR 200° 9 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
13:00Z BECMG
+10h
VFR 230° 10 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 7,000 ft
15:00Z TEMPO
+12h
MVFR 230° 15 kt
Visibility: 6 km
Ceiling: 3,000 ft
Light Thunderstorm Rain

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
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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
SZL
01
19 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 01/19
Active: 19
12,400 ft 200 ft CON 11°
2.6 kt 1.5 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 - KSZL

8,507 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
75.8%
MVFR
10.9%
IFR
7.6%
LIFR
5.7%

Whiteman Air Force Base typically experiences VFR conditions 75.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 13.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8.8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 33 knots. Temperature extremes range from -20°C to 37°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are July, February, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 33 kt
Calm Winds: 9.1%
Direction Distribution:
E
9.2%
N
12.6%
S
21.6%
W
7.1%
NE
7.8%
NW
10.1%
SE
8.8%
SW
13.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 12.4°C
Range: -20°C to 37°C
-20°C 37°C

Visibility

Average: 9.5 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.2%
Fog Frequency: 2.2%

Best Months for VFR

July February September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.4 kt

Statistics computed from 8,507 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Whiteman Air Force Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KSZL
IATA Code: SZL
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 870 ft MSL

Location

City: Knob Noster
Country: US
Latitude: 38.730301°
Longitude: -93.547897°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 12,400 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Whiteman Air Force Base

Whiteman 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

Whiteman Air Force Base is located near Knob Noster, Missouri, serving as a strategic military aviation facility at 870 feet mean sea level. The base hosts a substantial 12,400-foot concrete runway (01/19), capable of supporting complex military aircraft operations. Its central US location provides critical infrastructure for strategic air mobility and defense missions.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Whiteman AFB demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) predominating 74% of observations. Temperature ranges from -16°C to 37°C, presenting diverse operational challenges throughout the year. Winds predominantly originate from the south at an average of 8.1 knots, with occasional gusts up to 29 knots, and calm conditions occurring 10.1% of the time.

Notable Features

The airport's single runway (01/19) demonstrates favorable wind alignment, with crosswinds averaging only 4.4 knots. Visibility typically remains excellent, averaging 9.5 statute miles, with restricted visibility (below 3SM) occurring in just 1.4% of observations. Fog events are relatively infrequent, affecting only 3.9% of recorded periods.

Approach Considerations

September, October, and January represent the most consistent VFR months for aviation operations. The runway's extensive 12,400-foot length provides substantial margin for diverse aircraft types and operational requirements. Pilots should anticipate predominantly southern wind patterns and prepare for potential marginal conditions during the roughly 25% of time when flight rules are not strictly VFR.

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.