Ástor Piazzola International Airport

SAZM / MDQ

Mar del Plata, AR

Last Updated
Jun 10, 06:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 54 min ago
06:00Z

🌅 Dawn
MVFR
Flight Rules
8°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 8°C
3 kt
320°
10+ km
Visibility
1,500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1016 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SAZM 100600Z 32003KT 9999 BKN015 08/08 Q1016 RMK PP///

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 72 ft
BKN 1,500 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
1,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,572 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Ástor Piazzola International Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with broken clouds at 1,500 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. The ceiling is 1500 feet AGL (broken), placing conditions in the MVFR category.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 8°C (46°F) with a dewpoint of 8°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. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Mist, Fog. Temporary LIFR conditions are forecast with Fog between 08:00Z and 10:00Z.

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. 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
1016 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1014 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (72 ft)
Pressure Alt
-11 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -834 ft
ISA Deviation: -6.9°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF SAZM 100500Z 1006/1106 VRB03KT 9999 BKN020 TX15/1018Z TN08/1010Z BECMG 1007/1008 29005KT 3000 BR SCT010 TEMPO 1008/1010 VRB03KT 0300 FG BKN005 BECMG 1012/1015 32010G20KT 9999 NSW SCT030 BKN050 BECMG 1021/1023 27005KT CAVOK
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
06:53Z BASE
+0h
MVFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 2,000 ft
07:00Z BECMG
+1h
IFR 290° 5 kt
Visibility: 3 km
Mist
08:00Z TEMPO
+2h
LIFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: 0.3 km
Ceiling: 500 ft
Fog
12:00Z BECMG
+6h
VFR 320° 10 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
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
AZM
13
31 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 13/31
Active: 31
7,218 ft 148 ft ASP 123°
3.0 kt 0.5 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 - SAZM

6,614 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
70%
MVFR
13.5%
IFR
7.6%
LIFR
9%

Ástor Piazzola International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 70% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 16.6% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 8.6 knots, with gusts recorded up to 31 knots. Temperature extremes range from 0°C to 38°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are November, January, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 8.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 31 kt
Calm Winds: 5.8%
Direction Distribution:
E
15.4%
N
16.2%
S
12%
W
12.7%
NE
9.4%
NW
15%
SE
6.1%
SW
7.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 16.4°C
Range: 0°C to 38°C
0°C 38°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 9.3%

Best Months for VFR

November January February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.4 kt

Statistics computed from 6,614 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Ástor Piazzola International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SAZM
IATA Code: MDQ
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 72 ft MSL

Location

City: Mar del Plata
Country: AR
Latitude: -37.934200°
Longitude: -57.573300°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+4

Runway Information

Runway 13/31
Length: 7,218 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Ástor Piazzola International Airport

Overview

Ástor Piazzola International Airport serves Mar del Plata, Argentina, as a key medium-sized airport located at coordinates -37.934200, -57.573300. Situated at an elevation of 72 feet mean sea level, the airport provides critical transportation infrastructure for the coastal urban region. Its single runway (13/31) spans 7,218 feet with an asphalt surface, supporting regional and potentially some international commercial operations.

Flying Conditions

Mar del Plata's coastal location suggests variable meteorological conditions typical of maritime environments. Pilots should anticipate potential wind shear and rapid weather transitions due to proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The airport's moderate elevation and coastal positioning likely generate dynamic wind patterns that could affect approach and departure procedures.

Notable Features

The airport's runway orientation (13/31) indicates a northwest-southeast alignment, which may interact significantly with local terrain and coastal wind patterns. Its asphalt runway configuration suggests the ability to handle medium-sized aircraft typical of regional and domestic routes. The 7,218-foot runway length provides substantial operational flexibility for most commercial and regional aircraft types.

Approach Considerations

Runway 31 appears to be the primary approach direction given the airport's geographical orientation. Pilots should prepare for potential crosswind conditions due to the airport's coastal location. Standard instrument approach procedures will be crucial given the airport's maritime environment and potential for rapidly changing meteorological conditions.

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.