Albuquerque International Sunport

KABQ / ABQ

Albuquerque, US

Last Updated
Jul 4, 21:52Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 34 min ago
21:52Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
34°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -7°C
5 kt
Variable G14 kt
10 SM
Visibility
25,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1021 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KABQ 042152Z VRB05G14KT 10SM SCT160 BKN250 34/M07 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP113 SHRA DSNT NE AND SE AND SW FU VC ALQDS T03391067 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 5,355 ft
SCT 16,000 ft AGL
BKN 25,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
16,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
21,355 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 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 broken clouds at 25,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the variable directions at 5 knots with gusts to 14 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 25000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 34°C (93°F) with a dewpoint of -7°C, indicating very dry conditions. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. Conditions are expected to remain VFR throughout the forecast period. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast between 02:00Z and 04:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1021 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
843 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (5,355 ft)
Pressure Alt
5,123 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 8,688 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +29.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KABQ 041734Z 0418/0518 VRB06KT P6SM BKN250 FM042200 25008KT P6SM SCT150 BKN200 TEMPO 0502/0504 25011G19KT BKN130 FM050600 09008KT P6SM SCT150 BKN200 FM051000 09012G22KT P6SM BKN150 FM051600 13010KT P6SM BKN150
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
22:26Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 25,000 ft
02:00Z TEMPO
+4h
VFR 250° 11 kt
Ceiling: 13,000 ft
06:00Z FM050600
+8h
VFR 90° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 20,000 ft
10:00Z FM051000
+12h
VFR 90° 12 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 15,000 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
  • • Hover for exact values and timestamps
  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
  • • Zoom and pan for detailed analysis
  • • Units automatically converted to preferences
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° No wind data
08/26 13,793 ft 150 ft CONC-G 90° No wind data
12/30 6,000 ft 150 ft CONC-G 129° No wind data
17/35 10,000 ft 150 ft ASPH-CONC-F 183° No wind data
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KABQ

7,066 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
96.6%
MVFR
1.4%
IFR
1.2%
LIFR
0.7%

Albuquerque International Sunport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 96.6% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the E averaging 8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 140 knots. Calm conditions occur 13.4% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -7°C to 38°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are March, July, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: E (90°)
Average Speed: 8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 140 kt
Calm Winds: 13.4%
Direction Distribution:
E
15.9%
N
12.5%
S
13.6%
W
10.2%
NE
3.6%
NW
9.2%
SE
11.9%
SW
9.7%

Temperature Range

Average: 14.7°C
Range: -7°C to 38°C
-7°C 38°C

Visibility

Average: 9.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.3%
Fog Frequency: 0.1%

Best Months for VFR

March July February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.5 kt
Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt
Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.8 kt
Runway 17/35
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt

Statistics computed from 7,066 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 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.