Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

KSDF / SDF

Louisville, US

Last Updated
Mar 5, 07:01Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 21 min ago
07:01Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
18°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 15°C
9 kt
230°
4 SM
Visibility
5,500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1016 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KSDF 050701Z 23009KT 4SM RA SCT046 BKN055 OVC085 18/15 A3001 RMK AO2 P0006 T01830150

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 501 ft
SCT 4,600 ft AGL
BKN 5,500 ft AGL
OVC 8,500 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
4,600 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,101 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
5,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
6,001 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
8,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
9,001 ft AMSL
QNH
1016 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
999 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (501 ft)
Pressure Alt
419 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 899 ft
ISA Deviation: +4.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSDF 050520Z 0506/0612 19006KT P6SM VCSH SCT060 BKN250 FM050800 22007KT 6SM -SHRA BR OVC100 PROB30 0508/0511 3SM -TSRA BKN030CB FM051200 21007KT P6SM -SHRA SCT030 BKN050 WS020/21040KT FM051400 21006KT 4SM -SHRA BR BKN025 FM051700 21012G16KT P6SM -SHRA OVC025 FM052000 21008KT P6SM VCSH OVC040
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
07:21Z BASE
+0h
VFR 190° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 25,000 ft
08:00Z FM050800
+1h
VFR 220° 7 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
Light Showers Rain, Mist
08:00Z PROB30
+1h
MVFR
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 3,000 ft
Light Thunderstorm Rain
12:00Z FM051200
+5h
VFR 210° 7 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
Light Showers 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: 29
7,250 ft 150 ft CON 111°
4.5 kt 7.8 kt
60° angle
17L/35R 8,579 ft 150 ft CON 165°
3.8 kt 8.2 kt
65° angle
17R/35L 10,850 ft 150 ft CON 165°
3.8 kt 8.2 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 - 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.