George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport

KIAH / IAH

Houston, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 18:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 32 min ago
18:53Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
28°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 21°C
18 kt
130°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1018 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KIAH 041853Z 13018KT 10SM SCT025 SCT250 28/21 A3006 RMK AO2 PK WND 15026/1819 SLP180 T02780206

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 97 ft
SCT 2,500 ft AGL
SCT 25,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
2,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,597 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
25,097 ft AMSL
QNH
1018 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1015 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (97 ft)
Pressure Alt
-46 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,537 ft
ISA Deviation: +13.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KIAH 041752Z 0418/0524 16012G24KT P6SM SCT015 BKN020 BKN250 FM050100 15010KT P6SM BKN012 BKN025 FM050300 15008KT P6SM FEW007 OVC015 FM050600 15006KT P6SM BKN008 OVC015 FM051500 15010KT P6SM BKN025 BKN035 FM051800 16013G20KT P6SM BKN035
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
19:24Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 160° 12 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 2,000 ft
01:00Z FM050100
+6h
MVFR 150° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 1,200 ft
03:00Z FM050300
+8h
MVFR 150° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
06:00Z FM050600
+11h
IFR 150° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 800 ft

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
IAH
08L
26R
08R
26L
09
27
15L ✈️
33R
15R ✈️
33L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
08L/26R 9,000 ft 150 ft CON 89°
13.6 kt 11.8 kt
41° angle
08R/26L 9,402 ft 150 ft CON 89°
13.6 kt 11.8 kt
41° angle
09/27 10,000 ft 150 ft ASP 90°
13.8 kt 11.6 kt
40° angle
✈️ 15L/33R
Active: 15L
12,001 ft 150 ft CON 152°
16.9 kt 6.2 kt
20° angle
✈️ 15R/33L
Active: 15R
9,999 ft 150 ft CON 152°
16.9 kt 6.2 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KIAH

4,453 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
76%
MVFR
13.9%
IFR
6.5%
LIFR
3.7%

George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 76% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 10.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.3 knots. Calm conditions occur 15.4% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -5°C to 34°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 26 kt
Calm Winds: 15.4%
Direction Distribution:
N
16.4%
NE
8.2%
E
9.3%
SE
14%
S
22.3%
SW
6.1%
W
3%
NW
5.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 18.7°C
Range: -5°C to 34°C
-5°C 34°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.5%
Fog Frequency: 3%

Best Months for VFR

September October November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 08L/26R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.7 kt
Runway 08R/26L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.7 kt
Runway 09/27
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.7 kt
Runway 15L/33R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.7 kt
Runway 15R/33L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.7 kt

Statistics computed from 4,453 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KIAH
IATA Code: IAH
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 97 ft MSL

Location

City: Houston
Country: US
Latitude: 29.984400°
Longitude: -95.341400°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 08L/26R
Length: 9,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 08R/26L
Length: 9,402 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 09/27
Length: 10,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 15L/33R
Length: 12,001 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 15R/33L
Length: 9,999 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport

Overview

George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport serves as a major international aviation hub located in Houston, Texas. Situated at 97 feet above mean sea level with coordinates 29.984400, -95.341400, the airport is a critical transportation infrastructure for the Gulf Coast region. As a large airport with multiple runways, it supports extensive commercial and cargo operations.

Flying Conditions

Houston's coastal location introduces variable weather conditions that pilots must carefully monitor. The airport's multiple runway configurations (five runways ranging from 9000 to 12001 feet) provide significant operational flexibility across different wind and precipitation scenarios. Seasonal wind patterns and potential thunderstorm activity are critical considerations for flight planning in this region.

Notable Features

The airport features five substantial runways with concrete (CON) and asphalt (ASP) surfaces, offering diverse runway options for different aircraft types. The longest runway (15L/33R) extends 12,001 feet, accommodating wide-body and heavy aircraft operations. Its strategic location near Houston's metropolitan area means complex airspace interactions and potential air traffic density.

Approach Considerations

Runway selection will depend primarily on prevailing wind conditions, with 08L/26R, 08R/26L, and 09/27 providing east-west orientation, while 15L/33R and 15R/33L offer north-south alignment. Pilots should anticipate potential crosswind scenarios given the multiple runway configurations and the airport's coastal geographical position. Thorough pre-flight wind and weather briefings are essential for safe operations at this airport.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.