Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

KSEA / SEA

Seattle, US

Last Updated
Apr 22, 21:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 4 min ago
21:53Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
11°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 8°C
9 kt
200°
10 SM
Visibility
1,900 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1016 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSEA 222153Z 20009KT 10SM OVC019 11/08 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP169 T01060083

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 433 ft
OVC 1,900 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
1,900 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,333 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with overcast skies at 1,900 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots. Runway 16C/34C is favored with a 7-knot headwind and 6-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 1900 feet AGL (overcast), placing conditions in the MVFR category.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 11°C (52°F) with a dewpoint of 8°C. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread suggests high humidity and potential for visibility restrictions, especially during cooling periods.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 27 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1016 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1002 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (433 ft)
Pressure Alt
351 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -25 ft
ISA Deviation: -3.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSEA 222106Z 2221/2324 21012KT P6SM VCSH SCT010 BKN015 OVC030 FM230300 20010KT P6SM SCT025 BKN040 FM231100 19011KT P6SM OVC030 FM231700 20008KT P6SM BKN040 FM232200 23007KT P6SM BKN050
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
21:57Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 210° 12 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
03:00Z FM230300
+6h
VFR 200° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 4,000 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
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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°
6.9 kt 5.8 kt
40° angle
✈️ 16L/34R
Active: 16L
11,900 ft 150 ft ASP 180°
6.9 kt 5.8 kt
40° angle
✈️ 16R/34L
Active: 16R
9,426 ft 150 ft CON 180°
6.9 kt 5.8 kt
40° angle
lower/high 0 ft 0 ft
8.5 kt 3.1 kt
160° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KSEA

6,419 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
62.8%
MVFR
26.2%
IFR
6.6%
LIFR
4.5%

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 62.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 11.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.9 knots. Temperature extremes range from -3°C to 32°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, April.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 8.7%
Direction Distribution:
N
16.8%
NE
5.4%
E
4.8%
SE
12.3%
S
33.6%
SW
11.5%
W
3.8%
NW
3.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 8.8°C
Range: -3°C to 32°C
-3°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.2%
Fog Frequency: 4.6%

Best Months for VFR

September October April

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 16C/34C
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.1 kt
Runway 16L/34R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.1 kt
Runway 16R/34L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.1 kt

Statistics computed from 6,419 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 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.