Durango, Colorado · field elev 6,689 ft
Density Altitude at Durango-La Plata County (KDRO)
Durango-La Plata County is a genuine high-and-hot field: from 6,689 ft of elevation, a typical July afternoon (87 °F) pushes density altitude to about 9,906 ft — the airplane performs like it is 3,217 ft above the field before the wheels roll.
Typical density altitude by month
| Month | Avg temp °F | DA at avg temp | Afternoon high °F | DA on a typical afternoon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.7 | 5,944 ft | 37.9 | 6,889 ft ▲ |
| February | 29.7 | 6,347 ft | 43.2 | 7,233 ft ▲ |
| March | 37.9 | 6,889 ft | 53.2 | 7,871 ft ▲ |
| April | 44.7 | 7,330 ft | 61.5 | 8,389 ft ⚠ |
| May | 52.8 | 7,846 ft | 71.0 | 8,969 ft ⚠ |
| June | 62.7 | 8,463 ft | 82.8 | 9,672 ft ⚠ |
| July | 69.5 | 8,878 ft | 86.8 | 9,906 ft ⚠ |
| August | 67.5 | 8,757 ft | 84.0 | 9,743 ft ⚠ |
| September | 59.5 | 8,265 ft | 76.6 | 9,305 ft ⚠ |
| October | 47.1 | 7,484 ft | 63.8 | 8,531 ft ⚠ |
| November | 35.9 | 6,758 ft | 50.6 | 7,707 ft ▲ |
| December | 26.0 | 6,099 ft | 39.2 | 6,974 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 KDRO
DENSITY ALTITUDE high DA
Field elevation 6,689 ft — the air behaves like 9,918 ft.
- PRESSURE ALT
- 6,691 ft
- ISA DEVIATION
- —
- RULE-OF-THUMB DA
- —
- 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
Nearby Colorado fields
- 00C — Animas Air Park
Durango · elev 6,684 ft
- KPSO — Stevens Field
Pagosa Springs · elev 7,663 ft
- KCEZ — Cortez Municipal
Cortez · elev 5,918 ft
- KTEX — Telluride Regional
Telluride · elev 9,070 ft
- C24 — Mineral County Meml
Creede · elev 8,680 ft
- 8V6 — Dove Creek
Dove Creek · elev 6,975 ft
- KRCV — Astronaut Kent Rominger
Del Norte · elev 7,955 ft
- KAIB — Hopkins Field
Nucla · elev 5,945 ft
Frequently asked questions
How high does density altitude get at KDRO in summer?
On a typical July afternoon — around 87 °F at the nearest NOAA normals station — density altitude at Durango-La Plata County reaches roughly 9,906 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 KDRO on an average day?
It swings with the seasons: from roughly 5,944 ft at the coldest month's average temperature to about 8,878 ft at the warmest month's — all from a constant field elevation of 6,689 ft. The month-by-month table above carries the full year.
What is the field elevation of Durango-La Plata County?
6,689 ft MSL, from the FAA NASR airport record (28-day cycle effective 2026-08-06). The identifier is KDRO (ICAO) / DRO (FAA), in Durango, Colorado.