Marquette/Sawyer International Airport

KSAW / MQT

Gwinn, US

Last Updated
Mar 5, 08:18Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 7 min ago
08:18Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
-1°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -1°C
7 kt
360°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSAW 050818Z AUTO 36007KT M1/4SM FZFG VV000 M01/M01 A3008 RMK AO2
QNH
1019 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
978 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,221 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,049 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -578 ft
ISA Deviation: -13.6°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSAW 050522Z 0506/0606 VRB03KT 1SM BR BKN003 TEMPO 0506/0510 1/4SM FG BKN001 FM051300 07004KT 3/4SM BR BKN003 FM051400 09004KT P6SM BKN005 FM051800 13007KT P6SM SCT010 FM060300 14005KT 3SM BR BKN004
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
08:25Z BASE
+0h
LIFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: 1SM
Ceiling: 300 ft
Mist
13:00Z FM051300
+5h
LIFR 70° 4 kt
Visibility: 3/4SM
Ceiling: 300 ft
Mist
14:00Z FM051400
+6h
IFR 90° 4 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 500 ft
18:00Z FM051800
+10h
VFR 130° 7 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
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
SAW
01 ✈️
19

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 01/19
Active: 01
12,370 ft 150 ft PEM
6.9 kt 1.2 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 - KSAW

6,563 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
58.4%
MVFR
26.6%
IFR
7.7%
LIFR
7.4%

Marquette/Sawyer International Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 58.4% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 15.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8.6 knots, with gusts recorded up to 118 knots. Temperature extremes range from -30°C to 29°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are March, October, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 118 kt
Calm Winds: 1.6%
Direction Distribution:
N
13.1%
NE
4.7%
E
1.7%
SE
2.5%
S
25.1%
SW
14.4%
W
17%
NW
20%

Temperature Range

Average: -1.9°C
Range: -30°C to 29°C
-30°C 29°C

Visibility

Average: 8.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.5%
Fog Frequency: 6.2%

Best Months for VFR

March October November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt

Statistics computed from 6,563 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Marquette/Sawyer International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KSAW
IATA Code: MQT
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,221 ft MSL

Location

City: Gwinn
Country: US
Latitude: 46.353600°
Longitude: -87.395401°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 12,370 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No

About Marquette/Sawyer International Airport

Overview

Marquette/Sawyer International Airport serves the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, located in Gwinn with an elevation of 1,221 feet MSL. As a medium-sized airport, it provides critical aviation infrastructure for the region, positioned at coordinates 46.353600, -87.395401 with a single substantial runway 01/19 measuring 12,370 feet in length.

Flying Conditions

Weather patterns at KSAW demonstrate significant variability, with visual flight rules (VFR) conditions prevailing 59% of the time. Temperature ranges from -28°C to 29°C, creating challenging winter and summer operational environments. Winds predominantly come from the south at an average of 8.6 knots, with occasional strong gusts up to 45 knots and calm periods occurring 1.6% of the time.

Notable Features

The airport's extended runway and strategic location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula make it suitable for diverse aviation operations. Visibility averages 8.9 statute miles, with occasional reduced conditions including fog (6.3% occurrence) and periods below 3 miles visibility. The runway alignment allows for excellent wind coverage, with favorable wind conditions present 100% of the time.

Approach Considerations

Pilots should anticipate potential challenging conditions, particularly during winter months when IFR and LIFR conditions combine for 16.2% of observations. Runway 01/19 experiences an average crosswind of 4.5 knots, with September, October, and November offering the most consistently favorable VFR conditions. The substantial 12,370-foot runway provides significant operational flexibility for various aircraft types.

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.