Albuquerque International Sunport

KABQ / ABQ

Albuquerque, US

Last Updated
May 15, 00:52Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 12 min ago
00:52Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
29°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -9°C
15 kt
270°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1014 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KABQ 150052Z 27015KT 10SM FEW130 29/M09 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP053 T02941094 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 5,355 ft
FEW 13,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
13,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
18,355 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Albuquerque International Sunport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with few clouds at 13,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west (270°) at 15 knots. Runway 26 is favored with a 15-knot headwind and 3-knot crosswind component. Student pilots and low-time aviators should exercise caution.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: few at 13,000 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 29°C (84°F) with a dewpoint of -9°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.

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
1014 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
836 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (5,355 ft)
Pressure Alt
5,333 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 8,298 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +24.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KABQ 142321Z 1500/1524 29010G22KT P6SM FEW130 FM150200 31009KT P6SM FEW130 FM150700 VRB06KT P6SM SKC FM151700 24007KT P6SM SKC
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
01:04Z BASE
+0h
VFR 290° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
02:00Z FM150200
+1h
VFR 310° 9 kt
Visibility: >6SM
07:00Z FM150700
+6h
VFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
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  • • 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°
10.6 kt 10.6 kt
135° angle
✈️ 08/26
Active: 26
13,793 ft 150 ft CONC-G 90°
14.8 kt 2.6 kt
10° angle
12/30 6,000 ft 150 ft CONC-G 129°
11.7 kt 9.4 kt
141° angle
17/35 10,000 ft 150 ft ASPH-CONC-F 183°
0.8 kt 15.0 kt
87° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KABQ

5,810 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
97.1%
MVFR
1.5%
IFR
0.9%
LIFR
0.5%

Albuquerque International Sunport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 97.1% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the E averaging 7.6 knots, with gusts recorded up to 140 knots. Calm conditions occur 14% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -7°C to 32°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are March, February, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: E (90°)
Average Speed: 7.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 140 kt
Calm Winds: 14%
Direction Distribution:
N
13.3%
NE
3.7%
E
16%
SE
11.7%
S
12.8%
SW
8.8%
W
9.8%
NW
9.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 12.6°C
Range: -7°C to 32°C
-7°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 9.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.4%
Fog Frequency: 0.2%

Best Months for VFR

March February September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.3 kt
Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.8 kt
Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt
Runway 17/35
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.7 kt

Statistics computed from 5,810 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 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.