Chicago Rockford International Airport

KRFD / RFD

Chicago/Rockford, US

Last Updated
Jul 27, 21:54Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 40 min ago
21:54Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
35°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 24°C
10 kt
240°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1005 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KRFD 272154Z 24010KT 10SM SCT055 SCT250 35/24 A2968 RMK AO2 PK WND 22028/2106 SLP042 T03500244

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 742 ft
SCT 5,500 ft AGL
SCT 25,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
5,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
6,242 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
25,742 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Chicago Rockford International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 5,500 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west-southwest (240°) at 10 knots. Runway 25 is favored with a 10-knot headwind and 2-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: scattered at 5,500 ft, scattered at 25,000 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 35°C (95°F) with a dewpoint of 24°C, indicating relatively dry conditions. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 21 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Light Thunderstorm Rain, Mist, Mist. Winds are forecast to reach up to 20 knots during the period. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 8 to 20 knots. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Light Thunderstorm Rain, Mist between 21:00Z and 23:00Z. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Mist between 08:00Z and 12:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1005 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
980 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (742 ft)
Pressure Alt
990 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 3,568 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +21.5°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KRFD 272100Z 2721/2818 21016G25KT P6SM VCTS SCT035CB PROB30 2721/2723 VRB20G30KT 3SM -TSRA BR BKN015 OVC025CB FM280100 24009KT P6SM SCT040 BKN250 FM280600 01008KT 6SM BR SCT020 BKN250 TEMPO 2808/2812 4SM BR SCT007 BKN015 FM281400 01010KT P6SM FEW020 BKN250
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
22:33Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 210° 16 kt
Visibility: >6SM
01:00Z FM280100
+3h
VFR 240° 9 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 25,000 ft
06:00Z FM280600
+8h
VFR 10° 8 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Ceiling: 25,000 ft
Mist
08:00Z TEMPO
+10h
MVFR
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
Mist

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
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
Chart Features
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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
RFD
01
19
07
25 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
01/19 8,199 ft 150 ft ASP
5.7 kt 8.2 kt
125° angle
✈️ 07/25
Active: 25
10,004 ft 150 ft PEM 65°
9.8 kt 1.7 kt
10° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KRFD

12,872 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
72.5%
MVFR
17.3%
IFR
7.1%
LIFR
3.1%

Chicago Rockford International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 72.5% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 10.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8.8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 31 knots. Calm conditions occur 14.2% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -26°C to 33°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are May, October, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 31 kt
Calm Winds: 14.2%
Direction Distribution:
E
8.2%
N
10.2%
S
17.5%
W
16.1%
NE
5.1%
NW
10.3%
SE
9.7%
SW
8.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 7.9°C
Range: -26°C to 33°C
-26°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 9.1 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.4%
Fog Frequency: 1.9%

Best Months for VFR

May October September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.7 kt
Runway 07/25
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.9 kt

Statistics computed from 12,872 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Chicago Rockford International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KRFD
IATA Code: RFD
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 742 ft MSL

Location

City: Chicago/Rockford
Country: US
Latitude: 42.195400°
Longitude: -89.097198°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 8,199 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 07/25
Length: 10,004 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No

About Chicago Rockford International Airport

Overview

Chicago Rockford International Airport serves the greater Chicago metropolitan area, located approximately 85 miles northwest of Chicago proper. As a medium-sized airport with two substantial runways, KRFD supports diverse aviation operations including cargo, general aviation, and commercial traffic. The airport's elevation of 742 feet MSL provides consistent terrain characteristics for pilots.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KRFD demonstrate significant variability, with visual flight rules (VFR) predominating at 64.7% of observations. Pilots should anticipate moderate wind conditions, with a prevailing westerly wind at an average of 8.9 knots and occasional gusts up to 29 knots. Temperature ranges from -26°C to 32°C indicate potential challenging winter and summer flying conditions, with October, September, and November offering the most consistently favorable VFR weather.

Notable Features

Both primary runways (01/19 and 07/25) offer extensive lengths of 8,199 and 10,004 feet respectively, providing ample landing and takeoff options for various aircraft types. The runways feature asphaltic (ASP) and Portland Expanded Mesh (PEM) surfaces, with consistently favorable wind alignments—both runways demonstrate 100% wind compatibility. Visibility averages 8.8 statute miles, with only 5.3% of observations reporting visibility below 3 miles.

Approach Considerations

Wind conditions suggest minimal crosswind challenges, with average crosswind components of 6.3 knots for runway 01/19 and 5.7 knots for runway 07/25. Pilots should be prepared for potential instrument meteorological conditions, as IFR and LIFR conditions combine for approximately 14.3% of observations. Calm wind conditions occur in 15.2% of reports, providing additional flexibility in runway selection.

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.