Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

KSDF / SDF

Louisville, US

Last Updated
Jun 10, 09:56Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 22 min ago
09:56Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
24°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 22°C
7 kt
230°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1015 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSDF 100956Z 23007KT 10SM FEW060 FEW250 24/22 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP138 T02390222

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 501 ft
FEW 6,000 ft AGL
FEW 25,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
6,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
6,501 ft AMSL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
25,501 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with few clouds at 6,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots. Runway 29 is favored with a 4-knot headwind and 6-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

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

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 24°C (75°F) with a dewpoint of 22°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Showers Rain, Mist. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Showers Rain, Mist between 11:00Z and 15:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours. 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
1015 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
998 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (501 ft)
Pressure Alt
449 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,649 ft
ISA Deviation: +10.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSDF 100526Z 1006/1112 20009KT P6SM SCT050 SCT250 TEMPO 1011/1015 3SM SHRA BR SCT025 BKN035 FM101500 21010KT P6SM BKN050 FM101800 22014G22KT P6SM BKN050 FM102300 20009KT P6SM FEW060 FEW250
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
10:17Z BASE
+0h
VFR 200° 9 kt
Visibility: >6SM
11:00Z TEMPO
+1h
MVFR
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 3,500 ft
Showers Rain, Mist
15:00Z FM101500
+5h
VFR 210° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
18:00Z FM101800
+8h
VFR 220° 14 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 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
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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°
3.5 kt 6.1 kt
60° angle
17L/35R 8,579 ft 150 ft CON 165°
3.0 kt 6.3 kt
65° angle
17R/35L 10,850 ft 150 ft CON 165°
3.0 kt 6.3 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

7,753 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
71.7%
MVFR
20%
IFR
6.4%
LIFR
1.9%

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 71.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 8.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8.1 knots, with gusts recorded up to 35 knots. Calm conditions occur 10.5% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -15°C to 33°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are June, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 35 kt
Calm Winds: 10.5%
Direction Distribution:
E
7.5%
N
12.8%
S
14.5%
W
14.4%
NE
6.9%
NW
8.9%
SE
10.4%
SW
14.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 11.4°C
Range: -15°C to 33°C
-15°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 9.3 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.9%
Fog Frequency: 0.7%

Best Months for VFR

June September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.4 kt
Runway 17L/35R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.1 kt
Runway 17R/35L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.1 kt

Statistics computed from 7,753 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 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.