Purdue University Airport

KLAF / LAF

West Lafayette, US

Last Updated
Jun 9, 23:31Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 19 min ago
23:31Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
24°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 21°C
4 kt
70°
5 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1012 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KLAF 092331Z 07004KT 5SM HZ CLR 24/21 A2987 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE AND SW AND W RAE06 TSE13 P0021 T02390211

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Purdue University Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with clear skies and 5 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the east-northeast (70°) at 4 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 5 SM. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 24°C (75°F) with a dewpoint of 21°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 19 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: Heavy Thunderstorm Rain. Winds are forecast to reach up to 20 knots during the period. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 5 to 20 knots.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours. 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
1012 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
992 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (606 ft)
Pressure Alt
644 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,869 ft
ISA Deviation: +10.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KLAF 092243Z 0923/1018 28020G45KT 1SM +TSRA BKN025CB FM092330 21010KT P6SM VCTS BKN030CB FM100100 21005KT P6SM BKN035 BKN100 FM101400 23012KT P6SM SCT050 SCT100
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
23:50Z BASE
+0h
IFR 280° 20 kt
Visibility: 1SM
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
Heavy Thunderstorm Rain
01:00Z FM100100
+2h
VFR 210° 5 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 3,500 ft

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
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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
Active: 05
4,226 ft 100 ft ASP 47°
3.8 kt 1.4 kt
20° angle
10/28 6,600 ft 150 ft ASP 100°
3.5 kt 2.0 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 - KLAF

7,953 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
67.7%
MVFR
21.7%
IFR
8%
LIFR
2.6%

Purdue University Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 67.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 10.6% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 8.2 knots, with gusts recorded up to 32 knots. Calm conditions occur 18.4% 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, June.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 8.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 32 kt
Calm Winds: 18.4%
Direction Distribution:
E
11.3%
N
8.3%
S
9.6%
W
20.1%
NE
6.5%
NW
7.6%
SE
4.1%
SW
14.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 7.9°C
Range: -23°C to 31°C
-23°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.3%
Fog Frequency: 2.6%

Best Months for VFR

October September June

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.8 kt
Runway 10/28
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.4 kt

Statistics computed from 7,953 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 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.