Zürich Airport

LSZH / ZRH

Zurich, CH

Last Updated
May 14, 12:20Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 11 min ago
12:20Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
9°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 5°C
9 kt
220°
10+ km
Visibility
4,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1002 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR LSZH 141220Z 22009KT 9999 -RA FEW015 SCT020 BKN040 09/05 Q1002 TEMPO 4000 SHRA

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 1,417 ft
FEW 1,500 ft AGL
SCT 2,000 ft AGL
BKN 4,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
1,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,917 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
2,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,417 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
4,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,417 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Zürich Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 4,000 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southwest (220°) at 9 knots. Runway 28 is favored with a 5-knot headwind and 8-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. The ceiling is 4000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 9°C (48°F) with a dewpoint of 5°C. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread suggests high humidity and potential for visibility restrictions, especially during cooling periods.

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: Showers Rain, Thunderstorm RAGS, Thunderstorm Rain. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 2 to 15 knots. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Showers Rain between 12:00Z and 21:00Z. There is a 30% probability of IFR conditions with Thunderstorm RAGS between 12:00Z and 18:00Z. There is a 40% probability of MVFR conditions with Showers Rain between 08:00Z and 18:00Z.

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
1002 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
955 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,417 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,755 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,375 ft
ISA Deviation: -3.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF LSZH 141125Z 1412/1518 30009KT 9999 FEW015 SCT020 BKN050 TX12/1413Z TN05/1504Z TX11/1513Z TEMPO 1412/1421 SHRA SCT040TCU PROB30 TEMPO 1412/1418 30015G28KT 4000 TSRAGS SCT040CB BECMG 1418/1421 VRB02KT PROB40 TEMPO 1508/1518 30010KT SHRA SCT040TCU PROB30 TEMPO 1512/1518 30012G25KT TSRA SCT040CB
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
12:31Z BASE
+0h
VFR 300° 9 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
18:00Z BECMG
+6h
VFR VRB 2 kt

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
SZH
10
28 ✈️
14
32
16
34

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 10/28
Active: 28
8,202 ft 197 ft CON 96°
4.5 kt 7.8 kt
60° angle
14/32 10,827 ft 197 ft CON 137°
1.1 kt 8.9 kt
83° angle
16/34 12,139 ft 197 ft CON 155°
3.8 kt 8.2 kt
65° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - LSZH

11,065 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
59.8%
MVFR
20.3%
IFR
9.7%
LIFR
10.2%

Zürich Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 59.8% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 19.9% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 5.5 knots. Temperature extremes range from -13°C to 28°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. Fog is a notable factor, occurring in approximately 14.3% of observations, with visibility below 3 SM in 0% of reports. The best months for VFR flying are May, April, March.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 5.5 kt
Maximum Recorded: 24 kt
Calm Winds: 0.8%
Direction Distribution:
N
14.2%
NE
14.7%
E
5.7%
SE
9.1%
S
12.7%
SW
12.4%
W
15.7%
NW
14.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 6.6°C
Range: -13°C to 28°C
-13°C 28°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 14.3%

Best Months for VFR

May April March

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 10/28
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.6 kt
Runway 14/32
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.9 kt
Runway 16/34
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.8 kt

Statistics computed from 11,065 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Zürich Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: LSZH
IATA Code: ZRH
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,417 ft MSL

Location

City: Zurich
Country: CH
Latitude: 47.458056°
Longitude: 8.548056°
Time Zone: Europe/Brussels

Runway Information

Runway 10/28
Length: 8,202 ft
Width: 197 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 14/32
Length: 10,827 ft
Width: 197 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 16/34
Length: 12,139 ft
Width: 197 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Zürich Airport

Overview

Zürich Airport (LSZH) is a major international airport serving Switzerland's largest city. Located at an elevation of 1,417 feet MSL, the airport plays a critical role in Switzerland's aviation infrastructure. Its strategic position and substantial runway capacity make it a key hub for both passenger and cargo operations in central Europe.

Flying Conditions

Situated at moderate elevation with multiple long concrete runways, Zürich Airport experiences varied seasonal meteorological conditions typical of the Swiss alpine region. The airport's three runways (10/28 at 8,202 ft, 14/32 at 10,827 ft, and 16/34 at 12,139 ft) provide significant operational flexibility for different wind and weather scenarios. Pilots should anticipate potential alpine-influenced weather patterns with potential rapid changes in visibility and wind conditions.

Notable Features

The airport's geographic location near the Swiss plateau and proximity to alpine terrain creates unique aeronautical considerations for approach and departure procedures. With runway lengths exceeding 8,000 feet and the longest runway reaching 12,139 feet, the airport can accommodate a wide range of aircraft types from regional commuters to large international wide-body aircraft. The airport's elevation and surrounding terrain require careful navigation and adherence to established approach protocols.

Approach Considerations

Runway selection at Zürich Airport will typically depend on prevailing wind conditions, with the three concrete runways offering multiple directional options. The substantial runway lengths provide excellent operational flexibility, allowing safe landings and takeoffs under various meteorological conditions. Pilots should conduct thorough pre-flight planning, considering the airport's elevation, runway orientations, and potential alpine-influenced weather patterns.

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.