Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

SCEL / SCL

Santiago, CL

Last Updated
Jul 4, 19:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 45 min ago
19:00Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
12°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -3°C
10 kt
170°
10+ km
Visibility
10,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1020 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SCEL 041900Z 17010KT 9999 BKN100 BKN130 12/M03 Q1020 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 1,555 ft
BKN 10,000 ft AGL
BKN 13,000 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
10,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
11,555 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
13,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
14,555 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 10,000 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south (170°) at 10 knots. Runway 17L/35R is favored with a 10-knot headwind and 0-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. The ceiling is 10000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 12°C (54°F) with a dewpoint of -3°C, indicating relatively dry conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Showers Rain. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast between 03:00Z and 06:00Z.

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
1020 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
968 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,555 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,353 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,366 ft
ISA Deviation: +0.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF SCEL 041653Z 0418/0518 19012KT 8000 SCT130 BKN170 TX12/0419Z TN02/0510Z BECMG 0419/0421 36010KT SCT100 BKN130 BECMG 0421/0423 SHRA SCT020 BKN100 TEMPO 0503/0506 5000 BKN020 BKN080 BECMG 0510/0512 NSW SCT030 SCT100
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
19:45Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 190° 12 kt
Visibility: 8 km
Ceiling: 17,000 ft
21:00Z BECMG
+2h
VFR
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
Showers Rain
03:00Z TEMPO
+8h
MVFR
Visibility: 5 km
Ceiling: 2,000 ft

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
CEL
17L ✈️
35R
17R ✈️
35L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 17L/35R
Active: 17L
12,303 ft 180 ft ASP 178°
10.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
✈️ 17R/35L
Active: 17R
12,303 ft 148 ft ASP 177°
10.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - SCEL

6,777 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
74.1%
MVFR
19.8%
IFR
3.4%
LIFR
2.7%

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 74.1% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 6.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.7 knots, with gusts recorded up to 130 knots. Temperature extremes range from -3°C to 35°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are February, March, December.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 130 kt
Calm Winds: 6.5%
Direction Distribution:
E
1.4%
N
6.2%
S
39.5%
W
3.7%
NE
3%
NW
2.6%
SE
20.7%
SW
16.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 17.2°C
Range: -3°C to 35°C
-3°C 35°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 4.6%

Best Months for VFR

February March December

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 17L/35R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.2 kt
Runway 17R/35L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.2 kt

Statistics computed from 6,777 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SCEL
IATA Code: SCL
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,555 ft MSL

Location

City: Santiago
Country: CL
Latitude: -33.393002°
Longitude: -70.785797°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 17L/35R
Length: 12,303 ft
Width: 180 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 17R/35L
Length: 12,303 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport

Overview

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport serves as the primary international airport for Santiago, Chile's capital city. Located at coordinates -33.393002, -70.785797, this large airport sits at an elevation of 1555 feet above mean sea level. It supports comprehensive commercial and international flight operations with its substantial infrastructure.

Flying Conditions

Santiago's airport experiences varied meteorological conditions typical of central Chile's intermediate climate zone. The airport's high elevation at 1555 ft MSL and proximity to the Andes mountains can create complex atmospheric interactions affecting local wind patterns and visibility. Pilots should anticipate potential wind shear and turbulence, particularly during seasonal transition periods.

Notable Features

The airport features two parallel runways (17L/35R and 17R/35L), each measuring 12,303 feet in length and constructed with asphalt surfaces. These parallel runways provide significant operational flexibility, allowing simultaneous approach and departure procedures. The geographic positioning near the Andes creates unique terrain-influenced aeronautical considerations for arriving and departing aircraft.

Approach Considerations

Runway orientation (17/35) suggests prevailing wind patterns typically favor north-south approaches. The substantial runway lengths of 12,303 feet provide ample space for diverse aircraft types, from regional jets to wide-body international carriers. Pilots should prepare for potential mountainous terrain influences during approach and departure phases, maintaining heightened situational awareness.

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.