Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

KDTW / DTW

Detroit, US

Last Updated
Apr 21, 13:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 56 min ago
13:53Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
9°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -1°C
12 kt
160°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1020 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KDTW 211353Z 16012KT 10SM FEW070 SCT090 SCT160 09/M01 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP199 T00941006 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 645 ft
FEW 7,000 ft AGL
SCT 9,000 ft AGL
SCT 16,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
7,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
7,645 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
9,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
9,645 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
16,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
16,645 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 9,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southeast (160°) at 12 knots. Runway 21 is favored with a 8-knot headwind and 9-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: few at 7,000 ft, scattered at 9,000 ft, scattered at 16,000 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 9°C (48°F) with a dewpoint of -1°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain, Mist. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Showers Rain between 23:00Z and 03:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. 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
1020 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
999 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (645 ft)
Pressure Alt
443 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -122 ft
ISA Deviation: -4.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KDTW 211120Z 2112/2218 19010G20KT P6SM BKN060 FM211800 22014G25KT P6SM SCT200 FM212200 24010KT P6SM BKN060 OVC100 TEMPO 2123/2203 5SM -SHRA OVC035 FM220300 28005KT P6SM SCT025 OVC035 FM220800 35004KT 6SM BR SKC
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
14:49Z BASE
+0h
VFR 190° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 6,000 ft
18:00Z FM211800
+4h
VFR 220° 14 kt
Visibility: >6SM
22:00Z FM212200
+8h
VFR 240° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 6,000 ft
23:00Z TEMPO
+9h
MVFR
Visibility: 5SM
Ceiling: 3,500 ft
Light Showers 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
DTW
03L
21R
03R
21L
04L
22R ✈️
04R
22L
09L
27R
09R
27L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
03L/21R 8,501 ft 200 ft PEM 29°
7.9 kt 9.1 kt
131° angle
03R/21L 10,001 ft 150 ft CON 29°
7.9 kt 9.1 kt
131° angle
✈️ 04L/22R
Active: 22R
10,000 ft 150 ft CON 28°
6.0 kt 10.4 kt
60° angle
04R/22L 12,003 ft 200 ft CON 29°
7.9 kt 9.1 kt
131° angle
09L/27R 8,708 ft 200 ft PEM 89°
3.9 kt 11.3 kt
71° angle
09R/27L 8,500 ft 150 ft CON 89°
3.9 kt 11.3 kt
71° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KDTW

6,903 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
63.6%
MVFR
24.8%
IFR
7.7%
LIFR
3.9%

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 63.6% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 11.6% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the SW averaging 9.4 knots, with gusts recorded up to 168 knots. Temperature extremes range from -23°C to 31°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SW (225°)
Average Speed: 9.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 168 kt
Calm Winds: 8.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
8.4%
NE
6.8%
E
7.2%
SE
4.9%
S
17.1%
SW
19.2%
W
17.5%
NW
10.4%

Temperature Range

Average: 3.3°C
Range: -23°C to 31°C
-23°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 8.3 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.6%
Fog Frequency: 5.1%

Best Months for VFR

September October November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03L/21R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.4 kt
Runway 03R/21L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.4 kt
Runway 04L/22R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.2 kt
Runway 04R/22L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.2 kt
Runway 09L/27R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.8 kt
Runway 09R/27L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.8 kt

Statistics computed from 6,903 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KDTW
IATA Code: DTW
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 645 ft MSL

Location

City: Detroit
Country: US
Latitude: 42.213770°
Longitude: -83.353786°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 03L/21R
Length: 8,501 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No
Runway 03R/21L
Length: 10,001 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 04L/22R
Length: 10,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 04R/22L
Length: 12,003 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 09L/27R
Length: 8,708 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No
Runway 09R/27L
Length: 8,500 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Overview

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (KDTW) serves as a major international airport located in the Detroit metropolitan area. Situated at 645 feet above mean sea level with coordinates 42.213770, -83.353786, the airport is a critical transportation hub for southeastern Michigan. Its six runways accommodate significant commercial, cargo, and general aviation traffic.

Flying Conditions

The airport's six runways of varying lengths (ranging from 8500 to 12003 feet) provide multiple options for different aircraft types and weather conditions. Being located in the Great Lakes region, pilots should anticipate variable weather patterns with potential rapid changes, particularly during transitional seasons. Elevation at 645 feet MSL suggests moderate terrain considerations for approach and departure planning.

Notable Features

The airport features six runways with different surface compositions: three are Portland Cement (PEM) and three are Concrete (CON). Runway lengths vary significantly, with the longest runway measuring 12,003 feet (04R/22L) and the shortest at 8,500 feet (09R/27L). The multiple runway configurations offer flexibility for different wind directions and aircraft types.

Approach Considerations

Runway orientation ranges from 03/21 to 09/27, providing multiple approach options depending on prevailing wind conditions. The substantial runway lengths (multiple runways over 10,000 feet) accommodate large commercial aircraft and provide generous landing/takeoff margins. Pilots should carefully review current wind and surface conditions to select the most appropriate runway for their specific aircraft and operational requirements.

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.