Purdue University Airport

KLAF / LAF

West Lafayette, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 18:54Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 53 min ago
18:54Z

🌙 Night
IFR
Flight Rules
9°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 8°C
7 kt
90°
4 SM
Visibility
700 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KLAF 041854Z 09007KT 4SM BR OVC007 09/08 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP195 T00890078

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 606 ft
OVC 700 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
700 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,306 ft AMSL
QNH
1019 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
999 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (606 ft)
Pressure Alt
434 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -141 ft
ISA Deviation: -4.8°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KLAF 041739Z 0418/0518 09006KT 4SM BR OVC006 FM042200 09005KT 3SM -SHRA BR OVC004 PROB30 0422/0503 2SM -TSRA BR OVC005CB FM050300 VRB03KT 2SM BR BKN003 PROB30 0503/0507 1SM -SHRA BR OVC003 FM050700 11003KT 1 1/2SM -RA BR OVC003 PROB30 0509/0512 3/4SM -TSRA BR OVC005CB FM051600 19005KT 3SM -RA OVC005
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
19:46Z BASE
+0h
IFR 90° 6 kt
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 600 ft
Mist
22:00Z FM042200
+3h
LIFR 90° 5 kt
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 400 ft
Light Showers Rain, Mist
22:00Z PROB30
+3h
LIFR
Visibility: 2SM
Ceiling: 500 ft
Light Thunderstorm Rain, Mist
03:00Z FM050300
+8h
LIFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: 2SM
Ceiling: 300 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
LAF
05
23
10 ✈️
28

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
05/23 4,226 ft 100 ft ASP 47°
5.1 kt 4.8 kt
43° angle
✈️ 10/28
Active: 10
6,600 ft 150 ft ASP 100°
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 - KLAF

5,028 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
65.2%
MVFR
23.6%
IFR
8.5%
LIFR
2.7%

Purdue University Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 65.2% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 11.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 7.9 knots. Calm conditions occur 20.2% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -23°C to 31°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, September, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 7.9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 28 kt
Calm Winds: 20.2%
Direction Distribution:
N
7.8%
NE
6.2%
E
11.1%
SE
4.5%
S
7.7%
SW
12.1%
W
21.8%
NW
8.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 4.5°C
Range: -23°C to 31°C
-23°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 8.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.4%
Fog Frequency: 2.7%

Best Months for VFR

October September February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.8 kt
Runway 10/28
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4 kt

Statistics computed from 5,028 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Purdue University Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KLAF
IATA Code: LAF
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 606 ft MSL

Location

City: West Lafayette
Country: US
Latitude: 40.412875°
Longitude: -86.939363°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 4,226 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 10/28
Length: 6,600 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Purdue University Airport

Overview

Purdue University Airport serves the Lafayette, Indiana region as a medium-sized airport associated with Purdue University. Located at 40.412875, -86.939363 with an elevation of 606 feet MSL, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for academic, training, and general aviation purposes. The airport features two asphalt runways capable of supporting a variety of aircraft operations.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KLAF demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) predominating at 64.4% of observations. Pilots can expect westerly winds averaging 7.9 knots, with occasional stronger gusts up to 28 knots. Temperature ranges from -22°C to 31°C, indicating potential challenging winter and summer conditions that require appropriate preflight planning and aircraft preparation.

Notable Features

Both runways offer favorable wind alignment, with 100% wind compatibility and minimal average crosswind components. Runway 05/23 measures 4,226 feet, while Runway 10/28 provides a longer 6,600-foot surface, offering flexibility for different aircraft types and operational requirements. Visibility typically remains excellent, averaging 8.9 statute miles with only 3% of observations showing reduced visibility.

Approach Considerations

Seasonal considerations suggest September, October, and January offer the most consistent VFR conditions for pilots. With calm wind conditions present 21% of the time, pilots should be prepared for potential wind variability. The airport's two runway configuration allows for optimal wind-aligned approaches, with Runway 10/28 providing the longest surface for more demanding aircraft operations.

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.