Ástor Piazzola International Airport

SAZM / MDQ

Mar del Plata, AR

Last Updated
Jul 4, 04:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 52 min ago
04:00Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
-2°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -2°C
3 kt
290°
8 km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SAZM 040400Z 29003KT 8000 NSC M02/M02 Q1030

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Ástor Piazzola International Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with clear skies and 8 km visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west-northwest (290°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 8 km, below VFR minimums in some airspace classifications. Check local requirements before departing VFR. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is -2°C (28°F) with a dewpoint of -2°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely. Temperatures are at or below freezing. Check for icing conditions and ensure aircraft anti-ice/de-ice systems are operational if required.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 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: Mist, Shallow Fog, Mist. There is a 40% probability of LIFR conditions with Shallow Fog, Mist between 06:00Z and 11:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours. 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.

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF SAZM 032300Z 0400/0424 VRB03KT CAVOK TX09/0417Z TNM02/0410Z BECMG 0401/0403 5000 BR FEW008 PROB40 TEMPO 0406/0411 1200 MIFG BR SCT008 BECMG 0412/0414 09005KT CAVOK
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
04:51Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >10km
06:00Z PROB40 TEMPO
+2h
LIFR
Visibility: 1.2 km
Shallow Fog, Mist
12:00Z BECMG
+8h
VFR 90° 5 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
AZM
13
31 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 13/31
Active: 31
7,218 ft 148 ft ASP 123°
2.8 kt 1.0 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - SAZM

7,222 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
70.5%
MVFR
13.4%
IFR
7.4%
LIFR
8.7%

Ástor Piazzola International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 70.5% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 16.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 8.5 knots, with gusts recorded up to 31 knots. Temperature extremes range from -2°C to 38°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are November, January, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 8.5 kt
Maximum Recorded: 31 kt
Calm Winds: 5.7%
Direction Distribution:
E
14.1%
N
16%
S
11.4%
W
13.8%
NE
8.7%
NW
16.9%
SE
5.7%
SW
7.6%

Temperature Range

Average: 15.6°C
Range: -2°C to 38°C
-2°C 38°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 9.3%

Best Months for VFR

November January February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.3 kt

Statistics computed from 7,222 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Ástor Piazzola International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SAZM
IATA Code: MDQ
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 72 ft MSL

Location

City: Mar del Plata
Country: AR
Latitude: -37.934200°
Longitude: -57.573300°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+4

Runway Information

Runway 13/31
Length: 7,218 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Ástor Piazzola International Airport

Overview

Ástor Piazzola International Airport serves Mar del Plata, Argentina, as a key medium-sized airport located at coordinates -37.934200, -57.573300. Situated at an elevation of 72 feet mean sea level, the airport provides critical transportation infrastructure for the coastal urban region. Its single runway (13/31) spans 7,218 feet with an asphalt surface, supporting regional and potentially some international commercial operations.

Flying Conditions

Mar del Plata's coastal location suggests variable meteorological conditions typical of maritime environments. Pilots should anticipate potential wind shear and rapid weather transitions due to proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The airport's moderate elevation and coastal positioning likely generate dynamic wind patterns that could affect approach and departure procedures.

Notable Features

The airport's runway orientation (13/31) indicates a northwest-southeast alignment, which may interact significantly with local terrain and coastal wind patterns. Its asphalt runway configuration suggests the ability to handle medium-sized aircraft typical of regional and domestic routes. The 7,218-foot runway length provides substantial operational flexibility for most commercial and regional aircraft types.

Approach Considerations

Runway 31 appears to be the primary approach direction given the airport's geographical orientation. Pilots should prepare for potential crosswind conditions due to the airport's coastal location. Standard instrument approach procedures will be crucial given the airport's maritime environment and potential for rapidly changing meteorological 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.