Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

KSDF / SDF

Louisville, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 05:56Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 28 min ago
05:56Z

🌅 Dawn
VFR
Flight Rules
17°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 12°C
8 kt
200°
10 SM
Visibility
8,500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1021 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSDF 040556Z 20008KT 10SM SCT050 OVC085 17/12 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP206 T01720122 10183 20167 51011

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 501 ft
SCT 5,000 ft AGL
OVC 8,500 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
5,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,501 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
8,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
9,001 ft AMSL
QNH
1021 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1004 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (501 ft)
Pressure Alt
269 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 629 ft
ISA Deviation: +3.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSDF 040520Z 0406/0512 20008KT P6SM OVC080 FM040900 18007KT P6SM OVC050 FM041100 15005KT 6SM -SHRA OVC035 FM041300 18005KT 4SM -SHRA BR OVC025 FM041900 20008KT P6SM BKN015
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
06:23Z BASE
+0h
VFR 200° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 8,000 ft
09:00Z FM040900
+3h
VFR 180° 7 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
11:00Z FM041100
+5h
VFR 150° 5 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Ceiling: 3,500 ft
Light Showers Rain
13:00Z FM041300
+7h
MVFR 180° 5 kt
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
Light Showers Rain, 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
SDF
11
29
17L ✈️
35R
17R ✈️
35L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
11/29 7,250 ft 150 ft CON 111°
0.1 kt 8.0 kt
89° angle
✈️ 17L/35R
Active: 17L
8,579 ft 150 ft CON 165°
6.9 kt 4.0 kt
30° angle
✈️ 17R/35L
Active: 17R
10,850 ft 150 ft CON 165°
6.9 kt 4.0 kt
30° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KSDF

4,934 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
69.4%
MVFR
22.2%
IFR
6.4%
LIFR
2.1%

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 69.4% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 8.5% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 7.7 knots, with gusts recorded up to 35 knots. Calm conditions occur 13% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -15°C to 33°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 7.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 35 kt
Calm Winds: 13%
Direction Distribution:
N
12.7%
NE
6.9%
E
6.9%
SE
10.7%
S
11.7%
SW
12.8%
W
16.1%
NW
9.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 8°C
Range: -15°C to 33°C
-15°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 9.1 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.3%
Fog Frequency: 1%

Best Months for VFR

September October February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.8 kt
Runway 17L/35R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt
Runway 17R/35L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt

Statistics computed from 4,934 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KSDF
IATA Code: SDF
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 501 ft MSL

Location

City: Louisville
Country: US
Latitude: 38.174400°
Longitude: -85.736000°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 11/29
Length: 7,250 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 17L/35R
Length: 8,579 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 17R/35L
Length: 10,850 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

Overview

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport serves as a major cargo and passenger hub located in Kentucky, strategically positioned near the Ohio River. As a large airport with significant infrastructure, it provides critical aviation services for the Louisville metropolitan area and regional transportation network. The airport's three substantial concrete runways enable diverse aircraft operations across multiple flight categories.

Flying Conditions

Located at 501 feet mean sea level, the airport experiences typical mid-latitude weather patterns with seasonal temperature and wind variations. Its central US location means potential encounters with frontal systems, convective activity, and moderate wind conditions across different times of year. Pilots should anticipate variable wind directions given the airport's three runway orientations which provide flexible approach and departure options.

Notable Features

The airport features three parallel runway configurations (11/29, 17L/35R, and 17R/35L) with substantial runway lengths ranging from 7,250 to 10,850 feet. This diverse runway system accommodates various aircraft types, from regional commuters to large cargo and passenger jets. The geographical positioning near Louisville provides relatively flat terrain with minimal significant elevation changes that might impact approach or departure procedures.

Approach Considerations

Runway selection will typically depend on prevailing wind conditions, with the three runway orientations offering multiple approach angles. The longest runway (17R/35L at 10,850 feet) provides maximum operational flexibility for larger aircraft and challenging meteorological conditions. Pilots should utilize standard instrument approach protocols and remain aware of potential wind shifts given the airport's multiple runway options.

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.