Chicago Midway International Airport

KMDW / MDW

Chicago, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 17:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 12 min ago
17:53Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
5°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 1°C
6 kt
60°
7 SM
Visibility
2,500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1021 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KMDW 041753Z 06006KT 7SM BKN025 OVC031 05/01 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP218 T00500011 10056 20022 56018

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 620 ft
BKN 2,500 ft AGL
OVC 3,100 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
2,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,120 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
3,100 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,720 ft AMSL
QNH
1021 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1000 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (620 ft)
Pressure Alt
388 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -663 ft
ISA Deviation: -8.8°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KMDW 041723Z 0418/0524 08009KT P6SM SCT020 OVC060 TEMPO 0418/0421 5SM BR BKN020 FM042100 09009KT 6SM BR SCT006 BKN015 OVC050 TEMPO 0422/0502 2SM -SHRADZ BR BKN004 FM050200 04006KT 3SM -SHRADZ BR SCT002 OVC004 FM050800 04005KT 1 1/2SM -SHRADZ BR SCT002 OVC004 PROB30 0509/0515 1/2SM -RADZ FG VV002 FM051800 04007KT 4SM BR SCT003 OVC005
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
18:05Z BASE
+0h
VFR 80° 9 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 6,000 ft
21:00Z FM042100
+3h
MVFR 90° 9 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
Mist
22:00Z TEMPO
+4h
LIFR
Visibility: 2SM
Ceiling: 400 ft
Light Showers RADZ, Mist
02:00Z FM050200
+8h
LIFR 40° 6 kt
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 400 ft
Light Showers RADZ, 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
MDW
04L ✈️
22R
04R ✈️
22L
13L
31R
13C
31C
13R
31L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 04L/22R
Active: 04L
5,507 ft 150 ft ASP 43°
5.6 kt 2.1 kt
20° angle
✈️ 04R/22L
Active: 04R
6,446 ft 150 ft PEM 43°
5.6 kt 2.1 kt
20° angle
13C/31C 6,522 ft 150 ft CON 134°
1.7 kt 5.8 kt
74° angle
13L/31R 5,141 ft 150 ft ASP 134°
1.7 kt 5.8 kt
74° angle
13R/31L 3,859 ft 60 ft CON 134°
1.7 kt 5.8 kt
74° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KMDW

4,679 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
70.4%
MVFR
22.2%
IFR
5.8%
LIFR
1.6%

Chicago Midway International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 70.4% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 7.4% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 9.3 knots. Temperature extremes range from -23°C to 32°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 9.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 4.4%
Direction Distribution:
N
7.8%
NE
5.4%
E
8.6%
SE
6.6%
S
14.9%
SW
15.5%
W
21.8%
NW
15.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 4.3°C
Range: -23°C to 32°C
-23°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 9.2 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.5%
Fog Frequency: 0.9%

Best Months for VFR

September October February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 04L/22R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6 kt
Runway 04R/22L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6 kt
Runway 13C/31C
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.9 kt
Runway 13L/31R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.9 kt
Runway 13R/31L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.9 kt

Statistics computed from 4,679 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Chicago Midway International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KMDW
IATA Code: MDW
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 620 ft MSL

Location

City: Chicago
Country: US
Latitude: 41.785999°
Longitude: -87.752403°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 04L/22R
Length: 5,507 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 04R/22L
Length: 6,446 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No
Runway 13C/31C
Length: 6,522 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 13L/31R
Length: 5,141 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 13R/31L
Length: 3,859 ft
Width: 60 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Chicago Midway International Airport

Overview

Chicago Midway International Airport serves as a major commercial airport located in Chicago, Illinois. Situated at an elevation of 620 feet MSL, it handles significant passenger and cargo traffic for the Chicago metropolitan area. The airport's strategic location and multiple runways make it a critical transportation hub in the Midwest region.

Flying Conditions

The airport's five runways provide operational flexibility across different wind conditions, with lengths ranging from 3,859 to 6,522 feet. Runway surfaces include asphalt (ASP), portland cement (PEM), and concrete (CON) compositions, which can influence landing and takeoff characteristics. Pilots should anticipate variable wind conditions typical of the Great Lakes region, particularly during seasonal transitions.

Notable Features

Midway features five runways with diverse orientations (04/22, 13/31), allowing for multiple approach and departure options based on wind direction. The airport's relatively modest elevation of 620 feet MSL provides consistent atmospheric conditions without significant altitude-related performance challenges. Its urban location means pilots must be prepared for complex airspace interactions and potential air traffic density.

Approach Considerations

Runway selection will depend primarily on prevailing wind conditions, with multiple options available due to the five-runway configuration. The longest runway (13C/31C at 6,522 feet) provides the most substantial landing and takeoff capabilities. Pilots should carefully review current wind data and air traffic instructions when planning approaches to this multi-runway airport.

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.