Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

KMSY / MSY

New Orleans, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 22:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Aging 1 hour ago
22:53Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
23°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 18°C
5 kt
160°
10 SM
Visibility
6,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1020 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KMSY 042253Z 16005KT 10SM FEW030 BKN060 BKN140 BKN250 23/18 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP203 T02330183 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 4 ft
FEW 3,000 ft AGL
BKN 6,000 ft AGL
BKN 14,000 ft AGL
BKN 25,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
3,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,004 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
6,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
6,004 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
14,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
14,004 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
25,004 ft AMSL
QNH
1020 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1020 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (4 ft)
Pressure Alt
-199 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 762 ft
ISA Deviation: +8.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KMSY 042320Z 0500/0606 16006KT P6SM FEW045 SCT100 FM050600 14005KT P6SM BKN013 BKN040 FM051500 14006KT P6SM SCT024 BKN027 FM051600 14008KT P6SM FEW024 SCT027 PROB30 0522/0523 4SM -SHRA BKN030
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
00:05Z BASE
+0h
VFR 160° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
06:00Z FM050600
+6h
MVFR 140° 5 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 1,300 ft

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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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
MSY
02
20 ✈️
06
24
11
29

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 02/20
Active: 20
7,001 ft 150 ft ASP 15°
3.8 kt 3.2 kt
40° angle
06/24 3,570 ft 150 ft ASP 60°
0.9 kt 4.9 kt
100° angle
11/29 10,104 ft 150 ft PEM 106°
2.9 kt 4.0 kt
54° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KMSY

4,594 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
76.7%
MVFR
13.6%
IFR
5.7%
LIFR
4%

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 76.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 9.7% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.5 knots. Calm conditions occur 14.7% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -3°C to 35°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.5 kt
Maximum Recorded: 27 kt
Calm Winds: 14.7%
Direction Distribution:
N
15.9%
NE
12.4%
E
10.2%
SE
11.3%
S
17.1%
SW
5.3%
W
4.2%
NW
8.9%

Temperature Range

Average: 18.2°C
Range: -3°C to 35°C
-3°C 35°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.1%
Fog Frequency: 5.2%

Best Months for VFR

September October November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 02/20
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt
Runway 06/24
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.4 kt
Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.3 kt

Statistics computed from 4,594 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KMSY
IATA Code: MSY
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 4 ft MSL

Location

City: New Orleans
Country: US
Latitude: 29.993401°
Longitude: -90.258003°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 02/20
Length: 7,001 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 06/24
Length: 3,570 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 11/29
Length: 10,104 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No

About Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Overview

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (KMSY) serves the greater New Orleans metropolitan area as a critical transportation hub. Located at 29.993401, -90.258003, the airport sits at a low elevation of 4 feet mean sea level, characteristic of the Gulf Coast region. The airport features three runways, with the longest being Runway 11/29 at 10,104 feet of pavement.

Flying Conditions

New Orleans' coastal location creates dynamic weather conditions with potential for rapid changes, particularly during hurricane season. The airport's low elevation makes it susceptible to fog, especially during early morning and transitional seasonal periods. Multiple runways provide flexible wind coverage, with Runway 11/29's substantial length offering significant operational advantages.

Notable Features

The airport's three runways provide multiple approach and departure options, with surface types consisting of asphalt (ASP) and Portland Emerging Material (PEM) pavements. Runway 11/29's extended 10,104-foot length accommodates a wide range of aircraft types and operational requirements. The airport's geographic positioning near the Mississippi River delta presents unique navigational considerations for pilots.

Approach Considerations

Pilots should anticipate variable wind conditions due to the coastal environment, with runways 02/20, 06/24, and 11/29 offering different wind alignment options. Runway 11/29's longer configuration makes it preferable for larger aircraft and provides more landing flexibility. The airport's low elevation requires standard sea-level approach considerations, with potential for reduced visibility during seasonal weather transitions.

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.