Sacramento International Airport

KSMF / SMF

Sacramento, US

Last Updated
Jun 10, 18:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 30 min ago
18:53Z

🌇 Dusk
VFR
Flight Rules
31°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 5°C
19 kt
330° G25 kt
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1012 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KSMF 101853Z 33019G25KT 10SM SCT250 31/05 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP118 T03060050 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 27 ft
SCT 25,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
25,027 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Sacramento International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 25,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the north-northwest (330°) at 19 knots with gusts to 25 knots. Runway 35 is favored with a 18-knot headwind and 6-knot crosswind component (gusting to 9 knots crosswind). Student pilots and low-time aviators should exercise caution.

Visibility & Ceiling

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

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 31°C (88°F) with a dewpoint of 5°C, indicating very dry conditions. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. Conditions are expected to remain VFR throughout the forecast period.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight.

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

QNH
1012 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1011 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (27 ft)
Pressure Alt
65 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,991 ft
ISA Deviation: +16.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KSMF 101724Z 1018/1118 33010KT P6SM SCT250 FM110300 34008KT P6SM SKC FM110700 32011KT P6SM SKC FM111700 34012G20KT P6SM SKC
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
19:22Z BASE
+0h
VFR 330° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
03:00Z FM110300
+8h
VFR 340° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM
07:00Z FM110700
+12h
VFR 320° 11 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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: 35R
8,601 ft 150 ft CON 181°
17.9 kt 6.5 kt
20° angle
✈️ 17R/35L
Active: 35L
8,598 ft 150 ft CON 181°
17.9 kt 6.5 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KSMF

7,296 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
77.7%
MVFR
8.2%
IFR
6.5%
LIFR
7.6%

Sacramento International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 77.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 14.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7 knots. Calm conditions occur 20.5% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -1°C to 37°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Fog is a notable factor, occurring in approximately 13.4% of observations, with visibility below 3 SM in 3% of reports. The best months for VFR flying are March, June, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 20.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
11.2%
NE
3.2%
E
3.4%
SE
14.7%
S
25.2%
SW
5.3%
W
3.5%
NW
12.9%

Temperature Range

Average: 14.1°C
Range: -1°C to 37°C
-1°C 37°C

Visibility

Average: 9.2 SM
Below 3 SM: 3%
Fog Frequency: 13.4%

Best Months for VFR

March June September

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 7,296 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 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.