Show Low, Arizona · field elev 6,416 ft

Density Altitude at Show Low Regional (KSOW)

Show Low Regional is a genuine high-and-hot field: from 6,416 ft of elevation, a typical July afternoon (85 °F) pushes density altitude to about 9,489 ft — the airplane performs like it is 3,073 ft above the field before the wheels roll.

worst typical month: July · ≈9,489 ft station: SHOW LOW AP · 0 mi away normals vintage 1991–2020

Typical density altitude by month

From NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals at SHOW LOW 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 34.8 6,348 ft 46.0 7,078 ft ▲
February 38.9 6,618 ft 51.0 7,397 ft ▲
March 44.7 6,994 ft 58.0 7,838 ft ▲
April 50.9 7,391 ft 64.9 8,265 ft ⚠
May 59.0 7,901 ft 73.6 8,794 ft ⚠
June 68.8 8,504 ft 83.9 9,407 ft ⚠
July 72.2 8,710 ft 85.3 9,489 ft ⚠
August 70.2 8,589 ft 82.8 9,342 ft ⚠
September 65.1 8,278 ft 78.3 9,076 ft ⚠
October 54.3 7,606 ft 68.1 8,461 ft ⚠
November 43.7 6,930 ft 56.4 7,738 ft ▲
December 34.6 6,335 ft 45.8 7,065 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 KSOW

Altimeter-style gauge: field elevation and density altitude needles 03691215 DENSITY ALT ×1,000 FT 9,472 DENSITY ALTITUDE · FEET
field elevation density altitude

DENSITY ALTITUDE 9,472 ft high DA

Field elevation 6,416 ft — the air behaves like 9,472 ft.

PRESSURE ALT
6,418 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 KSOW in summer?

On a typical July afternoon — around 85 °F at the nearest NOAA normals station — density altitude at Show Low Regional reaches roughly 9,489 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 KSOW on an average day?

It swings with the seasons: from roughly 6,335 ft at the coldest month's average temperature to about 8,710 ft at the warmest month's — all from a constant field elevation of 6,416 ft. The month-by-month table above carries the full year.

What is the field elevation of Show Low Regional?

6,416 ft MSL, from the FAA NASR airport record (28-day cycle effective 2026-08-06). The identifier is KSOW (ICAO) / SOW (FAA), in Show Low, Arizona.