Sacramento International Airport

KSMF / SMF

Sacramento, US

Last Updated
Mar 5, 02:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 30 min ago
02:53Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
14°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 8°C
4 kt
360°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1018 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSMF 050253Z 36004KT 10SM FEW070 14/08 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP183 T01390078 53006

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 27 ft
FEW 7,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
7,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
7,027 ft AMSL
QNH
1018 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1017 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (27 ft)
Pressure Alt
-116 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -230 ft
ISA Deviation: -0.9°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSMF 042320Z 0500/0524 31011KT P6SM SCT250 FM051200 32013G20KT P6SM FEW250 FM051800 33020G30KT P6SM SKC
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
03:23Z BASE
+0h
VFR 310° 11 kt
Visibility: >6SM
12:00Z FM051200
+9h
VFR 320° 13 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
SMF
17L
35R ✈️
17R
35L ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 17L/35R
Active: 35R
8,601 ft 150 ft CON 181°
3.9 kt 0.7 kt
10° angle
✈️ 17R/35L
Active: 35L
8,598 ft 150 ft CON 181°
3.9 kt 0.7 kt
10° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KSMF

4,862 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
68.8%
MVFR
10.8%
IFR
9.1%
LIFR
11.3%

Sacramento International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 68.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 20.4% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 6.6 knots. Calm conditions occur 24.6% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -1°C to 37°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Fog is a notable factor, occurring in approximately 21.5% of observations, with visibility below 3 SM in 4.9% of reports. The best months for VFR flying are March, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 6.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 24.6%
Direction Distribution:
N
10.9%
NE
4%
E
3.7%
SE
14.7%
S
21.7%
SW
5%
W
3.3%
NW
12.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 12.1°C
Range: -1°C to 37°C
-1°C 37°C

Visibility

Average: 8.7 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.9%
Fog Frequency: 21.5%

Best Months for VFR

March September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 17L/35R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.6 kt
Runway 17R/35L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.6 kt

Statistics computed from 4,862 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Sacramento International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KSMF
IATA Code: SMF
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 27 ft MSL

Location

City: Sacramento
Country: US
Latitude: 38.695400°
Longitude: -121.591003°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 17L/35R
Length: 8,601 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 17R/35L
Length: 8,598 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Sacramento International Airport

Overview

Sacramento International Airport serves as the primary commercial airport for California's capital region, located northwest of Sacramento in Yolo County. As a large airport situated at 27 feet mean sea level, KSMF provides critical air transportation infrastructure for the greater Sacramento metropolitan area and supports significant commercial and cargo operations.

Flying Conditions

The airport's low elevation and inland California location create generally stable atmospheric conditions with minimal extreme weather variations. Pilots can expect predictable wind patterns, with runway 17L/35R and 17R/35L both offering substantial 8,600-foot concrete surfaces that accommodate varied aircraft types and operational requirements.

Notable Features

Positioned at 38.695400 north latitude and -121.591003 west longitude, Sacramento International is situated in a relatively flat geographic region with minimal terrain complications. The airport's dual parallel runway configuration provides operational flexibility and redundancy, allowing simultaneous approaches and departures under most conditions.

Approach Considerations

With two nearly identically sized runways (8601 ft and 8598 ft), pilots have excellent landing options aligned in a north-south orientation. The parallel runway configuration allows for efficient traffic flow and provides alternative approach paths depending on prevailing wind directions and air traffic control instructions.

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.