Albuquerque International Sunport

KABQ / ABQ

Albuquerque, US

Last Updated
Jun 15, 12:52Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 32 min ago
12:52Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
16°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 14°C
0 kt
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1024 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KABQ 151252Z 00000KT 10SM SCT160 SCT250 16/14 A3024 RMK AO2 SLP173 T01610139 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 5,355 ft
SCT 16,000 ft AGL
SCT 25,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
16,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
21,355 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
30,355 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Albuquerque International Sunport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 16,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are calm, presenting no crosswind concerns for any runway.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: scattered at 16,000 ft, scattered at 25,000 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 16°C (61°F) with a dewpoint of 14°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 Thunderstorm Rain. Winds are forecast to reach up to 20 knots during the period. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 6 to 20 knots. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Light Thunderstorm Rain between 20:00Z and 23:00Z.

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
1024 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
846 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (5,355 ft)
Pressure Alt
5,033 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 6,438 ft
ISA Deviation: +11.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KABQ 151140Z 1512/1612 VRB06KT P6SM BKN140 FM151600 25006KT P6SM FEW090 SCT140 FM152000 29011KT P6SM SCT090 BKN140 PROB30 1520/1523 VRB20G35KT -TSRA BKN090CB FM160200 12011KT P6SM SCT100 FM160900 09006KT P6SM SKC
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
13:23Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 14,000 ft
16:00Z FM151600
+3h
VFR 250° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
20:00Z FM152000
+7h
VFR 290° 11 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 14,000 ft
20:00Z PROB30
+7h
MVFR VRB 20 kt
Ceiling: 9,000 ft
Light Thunderstorm Rain

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
ABQ
03
21
08
26
12
30
17
35

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
03/21 10,000 ft 150 ft CONC-G 45°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
45° angle
08/26 13,793 ft 150 ft CONC-G 90°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
90° angle
12/30 6,000 ft 150 ft CONC-G 129°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
129° angle
17/35 10,000 ft 150 ft ASPH-CONC-F 183°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
177° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KABQ

6,578 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
96.9%
MVFR
1.4%
IFR
1%
LIFR
0.6%

Albuquerque International Sunport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 96.9% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the E averaging 7.9 knots, with gusts recorded up to 140 knots. Calm conditions occur 13.4% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -7°C to 36°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are March, February, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: E (90°)
Average Speed: 7.9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 140 kt
Calm Winds: 13.4%
Direction Distribution:
E
16.1%
N
12.6%
S
13.5%
W
10.1%
NE
3.7%
NW
9.1%
SE
11.9%
SW
9.6%

Temperature Range

Average: 13.8°C
Range: -7°C to 36°C
-7°C 36°C

Visibility

Average: 9.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.3%
Fog Frequency: 0.2%

Best Months for VFR

March February September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.5 kt
Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.9 kt
Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.7 kt
Runway 17/35
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.9 kt

Statistics computed from 6,578 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Albuquerque International Sunport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KABQ
IATA Code: ABQ
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 5,355 ft MSL

Location

City: Albuquerque
Country: US
Latitude: 35.039976°
Longitude: -106.608925°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+7

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 10,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CONC-G
ILS: No
Runway 08/26
Length: 13,793 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CONC-G
ILS: No
Runway 12/30
Length: 6,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CONC-G
ILS: No
Runway 17/35
Length: 10,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASPH-CONC-F
ILS: No

About Albuquerque International Sunport

Overview

Albuquerque International Sunport serves as a critical aviation hub in the southwestern United States, located in New Mexico at an elevation of 5,355 feet mean sea level. The airport supports large commercial, cargo, and general aviation operations with four substantial runways, offering significant operational flexibility for aircraft of various sizes and capabilities.

Flying Conditions

Situated at high altitude with multiple runways, Albuquerque presents unique atmospheric conditions that pilots must carefully consider during flight planning. The airport's elevation of 5,355 feet means reduced air density, which impacts aircraft performance, particularly during takeoff and landing, requiring precise calculations for weight, temperature, and runway length.

Notable Features

The Sunport's geographic location places it in a region with diverse terrain, surrounded by mountain ranges and desert landscapes that can create complex wind patterns and potential turbulence. With runway lengths ranging from 6,000 to 13,793 feet, the airport accommodates a wide variety of aircraft, from small general aviation planes to large commercial and cargo jets.

Approach Considerations

Pilots should note the airport's multiple runway orientations, with headings of 03/21, 08/26, 12/30, and 17/35, which provide multiple approach options based on wind conditions. The longest runway (08/26 at 13,793 feet) offers substantial landing and takeoff capabilities, while the concrete and asphalt-concrete surfaces provide reliable friction characteristics across different runway configurations.

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.