Chicago Midway International Airport

KMDW / MDW

Chicago, US

Last Updated
Apr 21, 17:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 21 min ago
17:53Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
23°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 9°C
20 kt
220° G27 kt
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1012 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KMDW 211753Z 22020G27KT 10SM FEW065 FEW250 23/09 A2989 RMK AO2 PK WND 22030/1709 SLP117 T02280094 10228 20106 58023

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 620 ft
FEW 6,500 ft AGL
FEW 25,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
6,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
7,120 ft AMSL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
25,620 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Chicago Midway International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with few clouds at 6,500 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southwest (220°) at 20 knots with gusts to 27 knots. Runway 22 is favored with a 20-knot headwind and 0-knot crosswind component. Student pilots and low-time aviators should exercise caution.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: few at 6,500 ft, few at 25,000 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 23°C (73°F) with a dewpoint of 9°C, indicating relatively dry conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 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: Light Thunderstorm Rain, Mist. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 6 to 18 knots. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Thunderstorm Rain between 20:00Z and 22:00Z. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Mist between 10:00Z and 14:00Z.

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
1012 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
991 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (620 ft)
Pressure Alt
658 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,767 ft
ISA Deviation: +9.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KMDW 211720Z 2118/2224 23017G26KT P6SM SCT050 SCT150 TEMPO 2120/2122 32018G29KT 3SM -TSRA SCT015 BKN040CB FM220000 25008KT P6SM SCT060 SCT250 FM220900 05006KT 3SM BR SCT005 BKN010 TEMPO 2210/2214 1SM BR BKN005 FM221700 06008KT P6SM SCT010
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
18:13Z BASE
+0h
VFR 230° 17 kt
Visibility: >6SM
20:00Z TEMPO
+2h
MVFR 320° 18 kt
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 4,000 ft
Light Thunderstorm Rain
00:00Z FM220000
+6h
VFR 250° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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: 22R
5,507 ft 150 ft ASP 43°
20.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
✈️ 04R/22L
Active: 22L
6,446 ft 150 ft PEM 43°
20.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
13C/31C 6,522 ft 150 ft CON 134°
1.4 kt 20.0 kt
86° angle
13L/31R 5,141 ft 150 ft ASP 134°
1.4 kt 20.0 kt
86° angle
13R/31L 3,859 ft 60 ft CON 134°
1.4 kt 20.0 kt
86° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KMDW

6,082 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
68.6%
MVFR
21.7%
IFR
6.8%
LIFR
2.9%

Chicago Midway International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 68.6% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 9.7% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 9.7 knots, with gusts recorded up to 32 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: 9.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 32 kt
Calm Winds: 4.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
8.7%
NE
6.3%
E
9.7%
SE
6.4%
S
15.3%
SW
15.9%
W
19.7%
NW
13.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 5.4°C
Range: -23°C to 32°C
-23°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 9.1 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.8%
Fog Frequency: 1.4%

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: 6.4 kt
Runway 13L/31R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.4 kt
Runway 13R/31L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.4 kt

Statistics computed from 6,082 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 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.