Alpnach Air Base

LSMA

Alpnach, CH

Last Updated
Jul 4, 20:50Z

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a military aerodrome. Civil aircraft access may be restricted or require prior authorization. Consult the applicable AIP for current access procedures.

Consult the applicable national AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 17 min ago
20:50Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
18°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 11°C
2 kt
Variable
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1026 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR LSMA 042050Z AUTO VRB02KT 9999NDV NCD 18/11 Q1026 RESHRA RMK

Weather Briefing

VFR

Alpnach Air Base is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies.

Wind Analysis

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

Visibility & Ceiling

Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 18°C (64°F) with a dewpoint of 11°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. Conditions are expected to remain VFR throughout the forecast period.

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
1026 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
977 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,460 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,078 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,788 ft
ISA Deviation: +5.9°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF LSMA 041625Z 0417/0523 06010KT CAVOK BECMG 0417/0419 VRB02KT BECMG 0510/0513 05010KT BECMG 0513/0515 9999 FEW100 BECMG 0517/0521 VRB02KT CAVOK
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
21:07Z BASE
+0h
VFR 60° 10 kt
Visibility: >10km

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
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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
SMA
01
19

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
01/19 6,135 ft 131 ft ASP 11° No wind data
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - LSMA

12,997 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
80.6%
MVFR
12.1%
IFR
3.1%
LIFR
4.2%

Alpnach Air Base enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 80.6% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 5.2 knots. Calm conditions occur 19.6% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -13°C to 35°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Fog is a notable factor, occurring in approximately 17.9% of observations, with visibility below 3 SM in 0% of reports. The best months for VFR flying are June, May, July.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 5.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 23 kt
Calm Winds: 19.6%
Direction Distribution:
E
10.1%
N
4.1%
S
24.3%
W
4.1%
NE
22.1%
NW
0.2%
SE
0.6%
SW
14.9%

Temperature Range

Average: 8.6°C
Range: -13°C to 35°C
-13°C 35°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 17.9%

Best Months for VFR

June May July

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.8 kt

Statistics computed from 12,997 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Alpnach Air Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: LSMA
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,460 ft MSL

Location

City: Alpnach
Country: CH
Latitude: 46.943901°
Longitude: 8.284170°
Time Zone: Europe/Brussels

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 6,135 ft
Width: 131 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Alpnach Air Base

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

Overview

Alpnach Air Base (LSMA) is a medium-sized airport located in central Switzerland at an elevation of 1,460 feet MSL. Situated near the coordinates 46.943901, 8.284170, the airport serves an important regional role with its single runway 01/19, which spans 6,135 feet and is constructed of asphalt.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Alpnach demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) prevailing 69.7% of the time. The airport experiences moderate temperature ranges from -13°C to 27°C, with an average temperature of 5.6°C. Notably, fog occurs in 29.6% of observations, and September through November offer the most consistently favorable VFR conditions.

Notable Features

The airport's wind patterns are characterized by a southerly prevailing wind at 180 degrees, with an average speed of 4.6 knots and maximum gusts up to 23 knots. Calm wind conditions are present 22.7% of the time, which provides relatively stable approach conditions for pilots navigating the region's terrain.

Approach Considerations

Runway 01/19 demonstrates highly favorable wind alignment, with 100% wind compatibility and an average crosswind of just 2.2 knots. Visibility averages 10 statute miles, with extremely rare instances of visibility below 3 miles, suggesting generally clear approach conditions for most operations.

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.