Sacramento International Airport

KSMF / SMF

Sacramento, US

Last Updated
Apr 22, 01:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 48 min ago
01:00Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
13°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 11°C
11 kt
130°
10 SM
Visibility
4,300 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1014 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KSMF 220100Z 13011KT 10SM SCT012 BKN043 OVC090 13/11 A2994 RMK AO2 T01330111

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 27 ft
SCT 1,200 ft AGL
BKN 4,300 ft AGL
OVC 9,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
1,200 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,227 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
4,300 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,327 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
9,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
9,027 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Sacramento International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with overcast skies at 9,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southeast (130°) at 11 knots. Runway 17L/35R is favored with a 8-knot headwind and 7-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 4300 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 13°C (55°F) with a dewpoint of 11°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 24 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain.

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
1014 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1013 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (27 ft)
Pressure Alt
5 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -229 ft
ISA Deviation: -1.9°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSMF 212320Z 2200/2224 17006KT P6SM -SHRA VCTS BKN030CB FM220300 18007KT P6SM VCSH OVC050 FM220800 17008KT P6SM BKN050
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
01:48Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 170° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 3,000 ft
Light Showers Rain
03:00Z FM220300
+2h
VFR 180° 7 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
08:00Z FM220800
+7h
VFR 170° 8 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
SMF
17L ✈️
35R
17R ✈️
35L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 17L/35R
Active: 17L
8,601 ft 150 ft CON 181°
8.4 kt 7.1 kt
40° angle
✈️ 17R/35L
Active: 17R
8,598 ft 150 ft CON 181°
8.4 kt 7.1 kt
40° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KSMF

6,049 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
73.9%
MVFR
9.3%
IFR
7.5%
LIFR
9.2%

Sacramento International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 73.9% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 16.7% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 6.8 knots. Calm conditions occur 23% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -1°C to 37°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Fog is a notable factor, occurring in approximately 16.7% of observations, with visibility below 3 SM in 3.8% of reports. The best months for VFR flying are March, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 6.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 23%
Direction Distribution:
N
11.8%
NE
3.7%
E
3.5%
SE
13.8%
S
22%
SW
5.1%
W
3.5%
NW
13.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 13°C
Range: -1°C to 37°C
-1°C 37°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.8%
Fog Frequency: 16.7%

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 6,049 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 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.