Massena, New York · field elev 222 ft

Density Altitude at Massena International-Richards Field (KMSS)

Massena International-Richards Field sits at 222 ft, and even a typical July afternoon (81 °F) only lifts density altitude to about 1,689 ft — heat still trims performance, but the field rarely turns high-and-hot.

worst typical month: July · ≈1,689 ft station: MASSENA INTL AP · 0 mi away normals vintage 1991–2020

Typical density altitude by month

From NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals at MASSENA INTL AP (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 15.6 −2,718 ft 25.4 −2,009 ft
February 17.8 −2,557 ft 28.2 −1,810 ft
March 28.5 −1,789 ft 38.2 −1,110 ft
April 42.9 −787 ft 53.7 −58 ft
May 55.9 88 ft 67.9 871 ft
June 64.8 671 ft 76.2 1,400 ft
July 69.5 974 ft 80.8 1,689 ft
August 67.5 845 ft 78.9 1,570 ft
September 59.5 325 ft 71.2 1,083 ft
October 47.5 −474 ft 57.5 194 ft
November 35.8 −1,276 ft 44.6 −671 ft
December 23.8 −2,124 ft 32.1 −1,535 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 KMSS

Altimeter-style gauge: field elevation and density altitude needles 03691215 DENSITY ALT ×1,000 FT 1,702 DENSITY ALTITUDE · FEET
field elevation density altitude

DENSITY ALTITUDE 1,702 ft

Field elevation 222 ft — the air behaves like 1,702 ft.

PRESSURE ALT
223 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 KMSS in summer?

On a typical July afternoon — around 81 °F at the nearest NOAA normals station — density altitude at Massena International-Richards Field reaches roughly 1,689 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 KMSS on an average day?

It swings with the seasons: from roughly −2,718 ft at the coldest month's average temperature to about 974 ft at the warmest month's — all from a constant field elevation of 222 ft. The month-by-month table above carries the full year.

What is the field elevation of Massena International-Richards Field?

222 ft MSL, from the FAA NASR airport record (28-day cycle effective 2026-08-06). The identifier is KMSS (ICAO) / MSS (FAA), in Massena, New York.