Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

KSEA / SEA

Seattle, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 22:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 48 min ago
22:53Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
9°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 7°C
10 kt
210°
3 SM
Visibility
1,900 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1014 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSEA 042253Z 21010KT 3SM -RA BKN019 OVC028 09/07 A2993 RMK AO2 RAB23 SLP141 LTG DSNT W CB DSNT W P0002 T00940067 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 433 ft
BKN 1,900 ft AGL
OVC 2,800 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
1,900 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,333 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
2,800 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,233 ft AMSL
QNH
1014 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1000 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (433 ft)
Pressure Alt
411 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -205 ft
ISA Deviation: -5.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSEA 042320Z 0500/0606 20010G20KT 6SM -RA VCTS FEW020 SCT035 OVC040CB TEMPO 0500/0501 28010KT 3SM RA BR OVC015 FM050100 20009KT P6SM VCSH BKN025 OVC035 FM051700 23007KT P6SM VCSH OVC022 FM052300 22009G18KT P6SM VCSH SCT027 OVC035 FM060300 21010G20KT P6SM VCSH BKN027 OVC040
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
23:40Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 200° 10 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Ceiling: 4,000 ft
Light Rain
00:00Z TEMPO
+1h
MVFR 280° 10 kt
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
Rain, Mist
01:00Z FM050100
+2h
MVFR 200° 9 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 2,500 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
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
SEA
16L ✈️
34R
16C ✈️
34C
16R ✈️
34L
lower
high

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 16C/34C
Active: 16C
9,426 ft 150 ft CONC-F 180°
6.4 kt 7.7 kt
50° angle
✈️ 16L/34R
Active: 16L
11,900 ft 150 ft ASP 180°
6.4 kt 7.7 kt
50° angle
✈️ 16R/34L
Active: 16R
9,426 ft 150 ft CON 180°
6.4 kt 7.7 kt
50° angle
lower/high 0 ft 0 ft
8.7 kt 5.0 kt
150° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KSEA

4,973 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
64.5%
MVFR
24.1%
IFR
6.3%
LIFR
5.1%

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 64.5% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 11.4% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.7 knots. Temperature extremes range from -3°C to 32°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are March, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 9.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
17.6%
NE
5.1%
E
5.2%
SE
13.5%
S
32.8%
SW
9.9%
W
3.4%
NW
3.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 8.9°C
Range: -3°C to 32°C
-3°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.5%
Fog Frequency: 5.4%

Best Months for VFR

March September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 16C/34C
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.9 kt
Runway 16L/34R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.9 kt
Runway 16R/34L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.9 kt

Statistics computed from 4,973 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KSEA
IATA Code: SEA
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 433 ft MSL

Location

City: Seattle
Country: US
Latitude: 47.447943°
Longitude: -122.310276°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 16C/34C
Length: 9,426 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CONC-F
ILS: No
Runway 16L/34R
Length: 11,900 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 16R/34L
Length: 9,426 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway lower/high
Length: 0 ft
Width: 0 ft
Surface:
ILS: No

About Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

Overview

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport serves as a major aviation hub in the Pacific Northwest, located near Seattle, Washington. The airport operates with three substantial runways, including a primary 11,900-foot runway capable of handling large commercial and cargo aircraft. Situated at an elevation of 433 feet above mean sea level, the airport provides critical connectivity for the Puget Sound metropolitan region.

Flying Conditions

The airport's coastal location introduces variable weather conditions influenced by Pacific maritime systems, with significant seasonal variations in visibility and precipitation. Pilots should anticipate potential low cloud layers, especially during fall and winter months, which can impact approach and departure procedures. The airport's elevation and proximity to mountainous terrain can generate localized wind patterns that require careful navigation.

Notable Features

The airport features three parallel runways with varying lengths and surface compositions, offering multiple approach and departure options for different aircraft types. The primary runway (16L/34R) at 11,900 feet provides extensive operational flexibility for heavy aircraft and long-haul operations. Surrounding terrain includes coastal mountains and water bodies, which can create complex local meteorological conditions.

Approach Considerations

Runway selection typically depends on prevailing wind directions, with the parallel configuration allowing for efficient traffic management during different meteorological conditions. Pilots should carefully review current wind and weather reports, considering the potential for crosswind components and terrain-induced turbulence. The substantial runway lengths provide significant margins for various aircraft performance envelopes.

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.