Gerald R. Ford International Airport

KGRR / GRR

Grand Rapids, US

Last Updated
Jul 27, 18:19Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 12 min ago
18:19Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
26°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 22°C
3 kt
230°
6 SM
Visibility
11,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1009 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KGRR 271819Z 23003KT 6SM -TSRA FEW070CB BKN110 OVC140 26/22 A2980 RMK AO2 RAB14 TSB17 PRESRR OCNL LTGICCG SW-NW TS SW-NW MOV SE P0000 T02610217

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 794 ft
FEW 7,000 ft AGL (CB)
BKN 11,000 ft AGL
OVC 14,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW (CB)
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
7,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
7,794 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
11,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
11,794 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
14,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
14,794 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Gerald R. Ford International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with overcast skies at 14,000 feet and 6 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southwest (230°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 6 SM. The ceiling is 11000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums. Caution: cumulonimbus (thunderstorm) clouds reported at 7,000 ft AGL, indicating convective activity in the area.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 26°C (79°F) with a dewpoint of 22°C. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread suggests high humidity and potential for visibility restrictions, especially during cooling periods.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 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: Thunderstorm Rain, Mist. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Thunderstorm Rain between 19:00Z and 22:00Z. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Thunderstorm Rain between 22:00Z and 02:00Z.

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
1009 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
983 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (794 ft)
Pressure Alt
922 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,433 ft
ISA Deviation: +12.6°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KGRR 271739Z 2718/2818 21012G20KT P6SM BKN080 FM271900 23012G18KT P6SM OVC050 TEMPO 2719/2722 4SM TSRA OVC025CB FM272200 24012KT 6SM BR BKN080 PROB30 2722/2802 4SM TSRA OVC025CB FM280200 VRB04KT 5SM BR OVC012 FM280700 36008KT 4SM BR BKN007 FM281500 36012G21KT P6SM SCT010 BKN035
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
18:30Z BASE
+0h
VFR 210° 12 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 8,000 ft
19:00Z FM271900
+1h
VFR 230° 12 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
19:00Z TEMPO
+1h
MVFR
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
Thunderstorm Rain
22:00Z FM272200
+4h
VFR 240° 12 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Ceiling: 8,000 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
GRR
08L
26R ✈️
08R
26L ✈️
17
35

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 08L/26R
Active: 26R
5,000 ft 100 ft CON 81°
2.6 kt 1.5 kt
30° angle
✈️ 08R/26L
Active: 26L
10,000 ft 150 ft CON 81°
2.6 kt 1.5 kt
30° angle
17/35 8,501 ft 150 ft CON 171°
1.5 kt 2.6 kt
59° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KGRR

9,235 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
63%
MVFR
24.4%
IFR
8.8%
LIFR
3.7%

Gerald R. Ford International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 63% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 12.5% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 9.3 knots, with gusts recorded up to 45 knots. Temperature extremes range from -28°C to 36°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Low visibility conditions (below 3 SM) occur in 5.2% of weather observations. The best months for VFR flying are May, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 9.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 45 kt
Calm Winds: 6.7%
Direction Distribution:
E
13.3%
N
6.9%
S
14.6%
W
22.2%
NE
6.5%
NW
9.9%
SE
5.9%
SW
14%

Temperature Range

Average: 7°C
Range: -28°C to 36°C
-28°C 36°C

Visibility

Average: 8.6 SM
Below 3 SM: 5.2%
Fog Frequency: 2.3%

Best Months for VFR

May September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 17/35
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.7 kt
Runway 08L/26R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt
Runway 08R/26L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt

Statistics computed from 9,235 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KGRR
IATA Code: GRR
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 794 ft MSL

Location

City: Grand Rapids
Country: US
Latitude: 42.880798°
Longitude: -85.522797°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 08L/26R
Length: 5,000 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 08R/26L
Length: 10,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 17/35
Length: 8,501 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Overview

Gerald R. Ford International Airport serves the Grand Rapids metropolitan area in western Michigan, providing commercial, cargo, and general aviation services. Located at 794 feet above mean sea level with coordinates 42.880798, -85.522797, the airport features three concrete runways accommodating diverse aviation needs.

Flying Conditions

Statistical data reveals a predominantly VFR environment, with 56.5% of observations in visual flight conditions and only 14.4% of time in restrictive (IFR/LIFR) conditions. Westerly winds averaging 9.1 knots characterize the airport's wind profile, with temperature ranges extending from -26°C to 30°C. September through November offer the most consistent VFR flying conditions.

Notable Features

The airport's three runways provide flexible operational capabilities, with lengths ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. All runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignments, with modest average crosswind components between 4.9 and 6.5 knots. The moderate elevation and geographic location contribute to predictable meteorological patterns.

Approach Considerations

Pilots can expect generally stable approach conditions with good average visibility of 8.4 statute miles. Runway 08R/26L, being the longest at 10,000 feet, offers the most substantial landing surface. Awareness of potential reduced visibility during 6.8% of observations and occasional fog events is recommended for flight planning.

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.