Bowman Field

KLOU / LOU

Louisville, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 19:41Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 5 min ago
19:41Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
17°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 16°C
0 kt
3 SM
Visibility
4,500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KLOU 041941Z 00000KT 3SM BR SCT035 BKN045 OVC110 17/16 A3009 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NW-NE RAE1858 P0000 T01670161

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 546 ft
SCT 3,500 ft AGL
BKN 4,500 ft AGL
OVC 11,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
3,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,046 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
4,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,046 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
11,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
11,546 ft AMSL
QNH
1019 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1001 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (546 ft)
Pressure Alt
374 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 745 ft
ISA Deviation: +3.1°C

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
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Airport Runway Layout

N
LOU
06
24
15
33

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
06/24 4,357 ft 75 ft ASP 60°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
60° angle
15/33 3,579 ft 75 ft ASPH-G 143°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
143° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KLOU

5,026 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
66.2%
MVFR
23%
IFR
8.2%
LIFR
2.6%

Bowman Field typically experiences VFR conditions 66.2% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 10.8% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7 knots. Calm conditions occur 24.2% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -17°C to 33°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 26 kt
Calm Winds: 24.2%
Direction Distribution:
N
9.4%
NE
7%
E
5.3%
SE
6%
S
15.2%
SW
12.2%
W
13.4%
NW
7.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 7.6°C
Range: -17°C to 33°C
-17°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 8.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.8%
Fog Frequency: 2.8%

Best Months for VFR

September October February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 06/24
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.3 kt
Runway 15/33
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.8 kt

Statistics computed from 5,026 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Bowman Field - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KLOU
IATA Code: LOU
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 546 ft MSL

Location

City: Louisville
Country: US
Latitude: 38.228001°
Longitude: -85.663696°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 06/24
Length: 4,357 ft
Width: 75 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 15/33
Length: 3,579 ft
Width: 75 ft
Surface: ASPH-G
ILS: No

About Bowman Field

Overview

Bowman Field serves the Louisville metropolitan area as a medium-sized airport situated at 546 feet mean sea level. Located at coordinates 38.228001, -85.663696, the airport provides critical general aviation infrastructure for the region. Its two asphalt runways support diverse aviation operations in central Kentucky.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly favorable VFR conditions at Bowman Field, with 65.1% of observations reporting visual flight rules. Seasonal temperature ranges from -15°C to 33°C create varied operating environments. Wind patterns are typically southerly at an average of 7 knots, with calm conditions present 25% of the time and maximum gusts reaching 26 knots.

Notable Features

The airport features two intersecting runways: Runway 06/24 measuring 4,357 feet and Runway 15/33 measuring 3,579 feet. Both runways demonstrate consistent wind favorability, with 100% favorable wind conditions and modest average crosswind components of 4.2 and 4.8 knots respectively. The airport's moderate elevation and geographical location contribute to relatively stable flying conditions.

Approach Considerations

September, October, and January represent the most consistent VFR months with optimal flying conditions. Visibility averages 8.9 statute miles, with minimal instances of restricted visibility (below 3SM occurring in only 2.2% of observations). Pilots should anticipate occasional fog, which is present in 1.9% of meteorological observations.

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.