Chicago Rockford International Airport

KRFD / RFD

Chicago/Rockford, US

Last Updated
Mar 6, 08:10Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 31 min ago
08:10Z

☀️ Day
IFR
Flight Rules
8°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 8°C
0 kt
--
Visibility
700 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1016 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KRFD 060810Z 00000KT 2 1/2SM -DZ BR OVC007 08/08 A3001 RMK AO2 TWR VIS 3 CIG 004V012 P0000 T00830078 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 742 ft
OVC 700 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
700 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,442 ft AMSL
QNH
1016 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
991 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (742 ft)
Pressure Alt
660 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -2 ft
ISA Deviation: -5.5°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KRFD 060539Z 0606/0706 08003KT 5SM -DZ BR BKN012 TEMPO 0608/0612 3/4SM BR BKN003 FM061200 15010KT 3SM BR SCT003 BKN005 TEMPO 0613/0617 1SM TSRA BR OVC005CB FM061700 16012KT P6SM VCTS SCT015 BKN020CB TEMPO 0619/0623 1SM TSRA BR BKN025CB FM062300 19012KT P6SM SCT035 FM070200 19012KT P6SM SCT035 WS020/21055KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
08:40Z BASE
+0h
IFR 80° 3 kt
Visibility: 5SM
Ceiling: 1,200 ft
Light Drizzle, Mist
12:00Z FM061200
+4h
IFR 150° 10 kt
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 500 ft
Mist
13:00Z TEMPO
+5h
LIFR
Visibility: 1SM
Ceiling: 500 ft
Thunderstorm Rain, Mist
17:00Z FM061700
+9h
MVFR 160° 12 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 2,000 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
Chart Features
  • • Hover for exact values and timestamps
  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
  • • Zoom and pan for detailed analysis
  • • Units automatically converted to preferences
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
RFD
01
19
07
25

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
01/19 8,199 ft 150 ft ASP
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
5° angle
07/25 10,004 ft 150 ft PEM 65°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
65° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KRFD

6,955 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
67%
MVFR
20.4%
IFR
8.2%
LIFR
4.3%

Chicago Rockford International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 67% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 12.5% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 8.8 knots. Calm conditions occur 15.4% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -26°C to 32°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, September, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 8.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 29 kt
Calm Winds: 15.4%
Direction Distribution:
N
10.7%
NE
3.3%
E
7%
SE
10.1%
S
13.9%
SW
9.5%
W
18.6%
NW
11.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 1.9°C
Range: -26°C to 32°C
-26°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 8.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.4%
Fog Frequency: 2.4%

Best Months for VFR

October September February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6 kt
Runway 07/25
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.8 kt

Statistics computed from 6,955 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Chicago Rockford International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KRFD
IATA Code: RFD
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 742 ft MSL

Location

City: Chicago/Rockford
Country: US
Latitude: 42.195400°
Longitude: -89.097198°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 8,199 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 07/25
Length: 10,004 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No

About Chicago Rockford International Airport

Overview

Chicago Rockford International Airport serves the greater Chicago metropolitan area, located approximately 85 miles northwest of Chicago proper. As a medium-sized airport with two substantial runways, KRFD supports diverse aviation operations including cargo, general aviation, and commercial traffic. The airport's elevation of 742 feet MSL provides consistent terrain characteristics for pilots.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KRFD demonstrate significant variability, with visual flight rules (VFR) predominating at 64.7% of observations. Pilots should anticipate moderate wind conditions, with a prevailing westerly wind at an average of 8.9 knots and occasional gusts up to 29 knots. Temperature ranges from -26°C to 32°C indicate potential challenging winter and summer flying conditions, with October, September, and November offering the most consistently favorable VFR weather.

Notable Features

Both primary runways (01/19 and 07/25) offer extensive lengths of 8,199 and 10,004 feet respectively, providing ample landing and takeoff options for various aircraft types. The runways feature asphaltic (ASP) and Portland Expanded Mesh (PEM) surfaces, with consistently favorable wind alignments—both runways demonstrate 100% wind compatibility. Visibility averages 8.8 statute miles, with only 5.3% of observations reporting visibility below 3 miles.

Approach Considerations

Wind conditions suggest minimal crosswind challenges, with average crosswind components of 6.3 knots for runway 01/19 and 5.7 knots for runway 07/25. Pilots should be prepared for potential instrument meteorological conditions, as IFR and LIFR conditions combine for approximately 14.3% of observations. Calm wind conditions occur in 15.2% of reports, providing additional flexibility in runway selection.

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.