Cresco, Iowa · field elev 1,279 ft

Density Altitude at Ellen Church Field (KCJJ)

Ellen Church Field sits at 1,279 ft, and even a typical July afternoon (83 °F) only lifts density altitude to about 3,104 ft — heat still trims performance, but the field rarely turns high-and-hot.

worst typical month: July · ≈3,104 ft station: CRESCO 1 NE · 3 mi away normals vintage 1991–2020

Typical density altitude by month

From NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals at CRESCO 1 NE (3 mi from the field) · standard pressure, dry air
Month Avg temp °F DA at avg temp Afternoon high °F DA on a typical afternoon
January 14.9 −1,438 ft 24.2 −770 ft
February 18.6 −1,170 ft 28.8 −445 ft
March 31.5 −256 ft 41.9 459 ft
April 45.0 669 ft 57.1 1,472 ft
May 57.4 1,492 ft 69.4 2,265 ft
June 67.8 2,163 ft 79.3 2,887 ft
July 71.4 2,392 ft 82.8 3,104 ft
August 68.9 2,234 ft 80.8 2,980 ft
September 61.2 1,739 ft 73.9 2,550 ft
October 47.9 863 ft 60.1 1,668 ft
November 33.9 −90 ft 43.6 574 ft
December 21.5 −962 ft 30.1 −354 ft

▲ above 5,000 ft · ⚠ above 8,000 ft. These are planning references at standard pressure and dry air — afternoon humidity and low pressure both push the real number higher. Run today's values below.

Run today’s numbers for KCJJ

Altimeter-style gauge: field elevation and density altitude needles 03691215 DENSITY ALT ×1,000 FT 3,116 DENSITY ALTITUDE · FEET
field elevation density altitude

DENSITY ALTITUDE 3,116 ft

Field elevation 1,279 ft — the air behaves like 3,116 ft.

PRESSURE ALT
1,280 ft
ISA DEVIATION
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RULE-OF-THUMB DA
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AIR DENSITY INDEX
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AIR DENSITY
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WATER · GRAINS/LB
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For training and reference · verify with official sources and your POH before flight · no tool on this site renders a go / no-go judgment

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Frequently asked questions

How high does density altitude get at KCJJ in summer?

On a typical July afternoon — around 83 °F at the nearest NOAA normals station — density altitude at Ellen Church Field reaches roughly 3,104 ft at standard pressure. Hotter-than-normal days, low pressure, and humidity all push it higher, so run the day's actual numbers before flying.

What is the density altitude at KCJJ on an average day?

It swings with the seasons: from roughly −1,438 ft at the coldest month's average temperature to about 2,392 ft at the warmest month's — all from a constant field elevation of 1,279 ft. The month-by-month table above carries the full year.

What is the field elevation of Ellen Church Field?

1,279 ft MSL, from the FAA NASR airport record (28-day cycle effective 2026-08-06). The identifier is KCJJ (ICAO) / CJJ (FAA), in Cresco, Iowa.