Purdue University Airport

KLAF / LAF

West Lafayette, US

Last Updated
Apr 21, 18:54Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 14 min ago
18:54Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
23°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 4°C
11 kt
210° G25 kt
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1015 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KLAF 211854Z 21011G25KT 180V240 10SM CLR 23/04 A2997 RMK AO2 PK WND 22031/1814 SLP148 T02330044

Weather Briefing

VFR

Purdue University Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southwest (210°) at 11 knots with gusts to 25 knots. Runway 23 is favored with a 10-knot headwind and 4-knot crosswind component (gusting to 9 knots crosswind). Student pilots and low-time aviators should exercise caution.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 23°C (73°F) with a dewpoint of 4°C, indicating very dry conditions.

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: Thunderstorm Rain. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 6 to 17 knots. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Thunderstorm Rain between 01:00Z and 07:00Z.

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
1015 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
995 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (606 ft)
Pressure Alt
554 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,659 ft
ISA Deviation: +9.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KLAF 211726Z 2118/2218 22017G27KT P6SM FEW100 SCT200 FM220100 22013KT P6SM BKN080 PROB30 2201/2207 3SM TSRA BKN060CB FM220800 26006KT P6SM SCT020 BKN060 FM221300 25008KT P6SM BKN020
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
19:08Z BASE
+0h
VFR 220° 17 kt
Visibility: >6SM
01:00Z FM220100
+6h
VFR 220° 13 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 8,000 ft
01:00Z PROB30
+6h
MVFR
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 6,000 ft
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
LAF
05
23 ✈️
10
28

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 05/23
Active: 23
4,226 ft 100 ft ASP 47°
10.3 kt 3.8 kt
20° angle
10/28 6,600 ft 150 ft ASP 100°
3.8 kt 10.3 kt
110° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KLAF

6,546 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
64.7%
MVFR
23.4%
IFR
8.9%
LIFR
3%

Purdue University Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 64.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 11.9% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 8.3 knots, with gusts recorded up to 32 knots. Calm conditions occur 18% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -23°C to 31°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, September, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 8.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 32 kt
Calm Winds: 18%
Direction Distribution:
N
8%
NE
6.2%
E
10.7%
SE
4.3%
S
9.5%
SW
14%
W
21.6%
NW
7.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 6°C
Range: -23°C to 31°C
-23°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 8.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.6%
Fog Frequency: 2.8%

Best Months for VFR

October September February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt
Runway 10/28
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.4 kt

Statistics computed from 6,546 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Purdue University Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KLAF
IATA Code: LAF
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 606 ft MSL

Location

City: West Lafayette
Country: US
Latitude: 40.412875°
Longitude: -86.939363°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 4,226 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 10/28
Length: 6,600 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Purdue University Airport

Overview

Purdue University Airport serves the Lafayette, Indiana region as a medium-sized airport associated with Purdue University. Located at 40.412875, -86.939363 with an elevation of 606 feet MSL, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for academic, training, and general aviation purposes. The airport features two asphalt runways capable of supporting a variety of aircraft operations.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KLAF demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) predominating at 64.4% of observations. Pilots can expect westerly winds averaging 7.9 knots, with occasional stronger gusts up to 28 knots. Temperature ranges from -22°C to 31°C, indicating potential challenging winter and summer conditions that require appropriate preflight planning and aircraft preparation.

Notable Features

Both runways offer favorable wind alignment, with 100% wind compatibility and minimal average crosswind components. Runway 05/23 measures 4,226 feet, while Runway 10/28 provides a longer 6,600-foot surface, offering flexibility for different aircraft types and operational requirements. Visibility typically remains excellent, averaging 8.9 statute miles with only 3% of observations showing reduced visibility.

Approach Considerations

Seasonal considerations suggest September, October, and January offer the most consistent VFR conditions for pilots. With calm wind conditions present 21% of the time, pilots should be prepared for potential wind variability. The airport's two runway configuration allows for optimal wind-aligned approaches, with Runway 10/28 providing the longest surface for more demanding aircraft operations.

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.