Clarinda, Iowa · field elev 996 ft

Density Altitude at Schenck Field (KICL)

Schenck Field sits at 996 ft, and even a typical July afternoon (86 °F) only lifts density altitude to about 2,943 ft — heat still trims performance, but the field rarely turns high-and-hot.

worst typical month: July · ≈2,943 ft station: CLARINDA · 0 mi away normals vintage 1991–2020

Typical density altitude by month

From NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals at CLARINDA (0 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 22.3 −1,260 ft 32.7 −526 ft
February 27.1 −919 ft 37.7 −180 ft
March 39.1 −84 ft 50.8 707 ft
April 50.4 680 ft 62.9 1,501 ft
May 61.7 1,423 ft 73.0 2,147 ft
June 71.5 2,052 ft 82.3 2,728 ft
July 75.0 2,273 ft 85.8 2,943 ft
August 72.8 2,134 ft 84.1 2,839 ft
September 64.9 1,630 ft 77.9 2,454 ft
October 52.6 826 ft 65.7 1,681 ft
November 38.6 −118 ft 50.1 660 ft
December 27.5 −890 ft 37.6 −187 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 KICL

Altimeter-style gauge: field elevation and density altitude needles 03691215 DENSITY ALT ×1,000 FT 2,956 DENSITY ALTITUDE · FEET
field elevation density altitude

DENSITY ALTITUDE 2,956 ft

Field elevation 996 ft — the air behaves like 2,956 ft.

PRESSURE ALT
997 ft
ISA DEVIATION
RULE-OF-THUMB DA
AIR DENSITY INDEX
AIR DENSITY
WATER · GRAINS/LB

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 KICL in summer?

On a typical July afternoon — around 86 °F at the nearest NOAA normals station — density altitude at Schenck Field reaches roughly 2,943 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 KICL on an average day?

It swings with the seasons: from roughly −1,260 ft at the coldest month's average temperature to about 2,273 ft at the warmest month's — all from a constant field elevation of 996 ft. The month-by-month table above carries the full year.

What is the field elevation of Schenck Field?

996 ft MSL, from the FAA NASR airport record (28-day cycle effective 2026-08-06). The identifier is KICL (ICAO) / ICL (FAA), in Clarinda, Iowa.