O.R. Tambo International Airport

FAOR / JNB

Johannesburg, ZA

Last Updated
May 14, 13:30Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 14 min ago
13:30Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
20°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 5°C
7 kt
280°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1026 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR FAOR 141330Z 28007KT 250V310 CAVOK 20/05 Q1026 NOSIG

Weather Briefing

VFR

O.R. Tambo International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west (280°) at 7 knots. Runway 21 is favored with a 2-knot headwind and 7-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 20°C (68°F) with a dewpoint of 5°C, indicating relatively dry conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 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: Patches Fog, Fog. There is a 40% probability of LIFR conditions with Patches Fog between 02:00Z and 07:00Z. There is a 30% probability of LIFR conditions with Fog between 03:00Z and 06:00Z.

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
1026 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
841 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (5,558 ft)
Pressure Alt
5,176 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 7,110 ft
ISA Deviation: +16.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF FAOR 141000Z 1412/1518 VRB03KT CAVOK TX21/1512Z TN08/1504Z PROB40 TEMPO 1502/1507 3000 BCFG BKN002 PROB30 TEMPO 1503/1506 0500 FG VV002
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
13:43Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >10km

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
AOR
03L
21R ✈️
03R
21L ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 03L/21R
Active: 21R
14,495 ft 200 ft ASP 14°
2.4 kt 6.6 kt
70° angle
✈️ 03R/21L
Active: 21L
11,155 ft 197 ft ASP 14°
2.4 kt 6.6 kt
70° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - FAOR

9,595 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
79.8%
MVFR
10%
IFR
6.8%
LIFR
3.4%

O.R. Tambo International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 79.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 10.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 8.7 knots. Temperatures typically range between 4°C and 30°C with an average of 18.5°C. The best months for VFR flying are February, September, May.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 8.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 0.3%
Direction Distribution:
N
28.7%
NE
11.8%
E
12.8%
SE
3%
S
8.5%
SW
5.7%
W
10.4%
NW
18.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 18.5°C
Range: 4°C to 30°C
4°C 30°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.8%

Best Months for VFR

February September May

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03L/21R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.5 kt
Runway 03R/21L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.5 kt

Statistics computed from 9,595 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

O.R. Tambo International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: FAOR
IATA Code: JNB
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 5,558 ft MSL

Location

City: Johannesburg
Country: ZA
Latitude: -26.139200°
Longitude: 28.246000°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-2

Runway Information

Runway 03L/21R
Length: 14,495 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 03R/21L
Length: 11,155 ft
Width: 197 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About O.R. Tambo International Airport

Overview

O.R. Tambo International Airport serves as the primary international gateway for Johannesburg, South Africa, and is a major hub for both domestic and international air traffic. Located at an elevation of 5,558 feet mean sea level, this large airport plays a critical role in regional and continental aviation infrastructure.

Flying Conditions

The high elevation of 5,558 ft MSL significantly impacts aircraft performance, requiring careful weight and balance calculations, especially during warmer periods. Being situated in the Gauteng province, the airport experiences varied seasonal weather patterns that can affect visibility, temperature, and aircraft operations.

Notable Features

The airport features two substantial parallel runways: 03L/21R at 14,495 feet and 03R/21L at 11,155 feet, both constructed with asphalt surfaces. Its geographic coordinates at -26.139200, 28.246000 position the airport in the highveld region, characterized by a plateau environment that presents unique aeronautical considerations for pilots.

Approach Considerations

Runway orientation suggests potential crosswind scenarios, with 03/21 headings indicating potential wind variations. Pilots should be prepared for elevation-related performance calculations and be aware of the substantial runway lengths available, which provide significant margin for diverse aircraft types and operational 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.