Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

KSDF / SDF

Louisville, US

Last Updated
Apr 18, 07:56Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 5 min ago
07:56Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
23°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 16°C
8 kt
190°
10 SM
Visibility
15,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1009 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSDF 180756Z 19008KT 10SM BKN150 OVC200 23/16 A2980 RMK AO2 SLP085 T02330156

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 501 ft
BKN 15,000 ft AGL
OVC 20,000 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
15,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
15,501 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
20,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
20,501 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with overcast skies at 20,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south (190°) at 8 knots. Runway 17L/35R is favored with a 8-knot headwind and 3-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 15000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 23°C (73°F) with a dewpoint of 16°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain, Mist, Showers Rain, Showers Rain, Mist, Light Rain.

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
1009 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
992 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (501 ft)
Pressure Alt
629 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,709 ft
ISA Deviation: +9.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSDF 180520Z 1806/1912 15006KT P6SM OVC250 WS018/23040KT FM181100 20012KT P6SM BKN050 OVC100 FM181300 22012KT 5SM -SHRA BR BKN040 FM181500 24008KT 4SM SHRA VCTS BKN025CB FM181800 27012G21KT 3SM SHRA BR SCT009 OVC013 FM182000 32012G20KT 4SM SHRA BR OVC018 FM182300 32012KT 6SM -RA SCT025 OVC050 FM190200 32012KT P6SM OVC080
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
08:00Z BASE
+0h
VFR 150° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 25,000 ft
11:00Z FM181100
+3h
VFR 200° 12 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
13:00Z FM181300
+5h
MVFR 220° 12 kt
Visibility: 5SM
Ceiling: 4,000 ft
Light Showers Rain, Mist
15:00Z FM181500
+7h
MVFR 240° 8 kt
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
Showers Rain

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°
1.5 kt 7.9 kt
79° angle
✈️ 17L/35R
Active: 17L
8,579 ft 150 ft CON 165°
7.5 kt 2.7 kt
20° angle
✈️ 17R/35L
Active: 17R
10,850 ft 150 ft CON 165°
7.5 kt 2.7 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 - KSDF

6,200 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
71%
MVFR
21.4%
IFR
5.7%
LIFR
2%

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 71% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 7.7% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 8.2 knots, with gusts recorded up to 35 knots. Calm conditions occur 11.1% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -15°C to 33°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are April, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 8.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 35 kt
Calm Winds: 11.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
11.9%
NE
6.2%
E
6.7%
SE
10.6%
S
14.3%
SW
14.1%
W
16%
NW
9%

Temperature Range

Average: 9.4°C
Range: -15°C to 33°C
-15°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 9.2 SM
Below 3 SM: 2%
Fog Frequency: 0.9%

Best Months for VFR

April September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.4 kt
Runway 17L/35R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.3 kt
Runway 17R/35L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.3 kt

Statistics computed from 6,200 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 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.