Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

KSDF / SDF

Louisville, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 18:56Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 50 min ago
18:56Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
17°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 16°C
4 kt
60°
4 SM
Visibility
3,300 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSDF 041856Z COR 06004KT 4SM BR BKN033 BKN060 OVC150 17/16 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP189 P0010 T01670156 TSE39

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 501 ft
BKN 3,300 ft AGL
BKN 6,000 ft AGL
OVC 15,000 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
3,300 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,801 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
6,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
6,501 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
15,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
15,501 ft AMSL
QNH
1019 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1002 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (501 ft)
Pressure Alt
329 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 689 ft
ISA Deviation: +3.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSDF 041734Z 0418/0524 17005KT P6SM -SHRA BKN050 TEMPO 0418/0419 4SM -TSRA BKN035CB FM041900 22009KT P6SM BKN050 FM050200 20007KT P6SM -SHRA OVC100 PROB30 0502/0507 4SM -TSRA BKN035CB FM051500 21010G18KT P6SM -SHRA BKN045
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
19:45Z BASE
+0h
VFR 170° 5 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
Light Showers Rain
02:00Z FM050200
+7h
VFR 200° 7 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
Light Showers Rain
02:00Z PROB30
+7h
MVFR
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 3,500 ft
Light Thunderstorm Rain

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
SDF
11 ✈️
29
17L
35R
17R
35L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 11/29
Active: 11
7,250 ft 150 ft CON 111°
2.6 kt 3.1 kt
50° angle
17L/35R 8,579 ft 150 ft CON 165°
1.0 kt 3.9 kt
105° angle
17R/35L 10,850 ft 150 ft CON 165°
1.0 kt 3.9 kt
105° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KSDF

4,962 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
69.4%
MVFR
22.2%
IFR
6.3%
LIFR
2.1%

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 69.4% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 8.4% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 7.7 knots, with gusts recorded up to 35 knots. Calm conditions occur 13% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -15°C to 33°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 7.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 35 kt
Calm Winds: 13%
Direction Distribution:
N
12.7%
NE
6.8%
E
6.9%
SE
10.7%
S
12%
SW
12.8%
W
16%
NW
9.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 8°C
Range: -15°C to 33°C
-15°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 9.1 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.3%
Fog Frequency: 1%

Best Months for VFR

September October February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.9 kt
Runway 17L/35R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt
Runway 17R/35L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt

Statistics computed from 4,962 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KSDF
IATA Code: SDF
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 501 ft MSL

Location

City: Louisville
Country: US
Latitude: 38.174400°
Longitude: -85.736000°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 11/29
Length: 7,250 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 17L/35R
Length: 8,579 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 17R/35L
Length: 10,850 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

Overview

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport serves as a major cargo and passenger hub located in Kentucky, strategically positioned near the Ohio River. As a large airport with significant infrastructure, it provides critical aviation services for the Louisville metropolitan area and regional transportation network. The airport's three substantial concrete runways enable diverse aircraft operations across multiple flight categories.

Flying Conditions

Located at 501 feet mean sea level, the airport experiences typical mid-latitude weather patterns with seasonal temperature and wind variations. Its central US location means potential encounters with frontal systems, convective activity, and moderate wind conditions across different times of year. Pilots should anticipate variable wind directions given the airport's three runway orientations which provide flexible approach and departure options.

Notable Features

The airport features three parallel runway configurations (11/29, 17L/35R, and 17R/35L) with substantial runway lengths ranging from 7,250 to 10,850 feet. This diverse runway system accommodates various aircraft types, from regional commuters to large cargo and passenger jets. The geographical positioning near Louisville provides relatively flat terrain with minimal significant elevation changes that might impact approach or departure procedures.

Approach Considerations

Runway selection will typically depend on prevailing wind conditions, with the three runway orientations offering multiple approach angles. The longest runway (17R/35L at 10,850 feet) provides maximum operational flexibility for larger aircraft and challenging meteorological conditions. Pilots should utilize standard instrument approach protocols and remain aware of potential wind shifts given the airport's multiple runway options.

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.