Denver International Airport

KDEN / DEN

Denver, US

Last Updated
May 14, 22:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 44 min ago
22:53Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
28°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -3°C
10 kt
50° G17 kt
10 SM
Visibility
22,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1010 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KDEN 142253Z 05010G17KT 10SM SCT130 BKN220 28/M03 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP013 T02831033

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 5,431 ft
SCT 13,000 ft AGL
BKN 22,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
13,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
18,431 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
22,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
27,431 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Denver International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 22,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the northeast (50°) at 10 knots with gusts to 17 knots. Runway 07/25 is favored with a 9-knot headwind and 3-knot crosswind component (gusting to 6 knots crosswind).

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 22000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 28°C (82°F) with a dewpoint of -3°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 26 hours. Conditions are expected to remain VFR throughout the forecast period. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast between 22:00Z and 00:00Z.

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
1010 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
829 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (5,431 ft)
Pressure Alt
5,529 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 8,392 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +23.9°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KDEN 142220Z 1422/1524 VRB06KT P6SM SCT130 BKN220 TEMPO 1422/1424 35012KT FM150000 01010KT P6SM FEW110 SCT200 FM150400 05007KT P6SM FEW120 FEW200 FM150600 12008KT P6SM FEW120 FEW200 FM150900 19009KT P6SM SKC FM151300 15008KT P6SM SKC FM151500 09009KT P6SM FEW220 FM152200 13010KT P6SM FEW120 FEW220
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
23:37Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 22,000 ft
00:00Z FM150000
+1h
VFR 10° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
04:00Z FM150400
+5h
VFR 50° 7 kt
Visibility: >6SM
06:00Z FM150600
+7h
VFR 120° 8 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
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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
DEN
07 ✈️
25
08 ✈️
26
16L
34R
16R
34L
17L
35R
17R
35L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 07/25
Active: 07
12,000 ft 150 ft CON 90°
9.4 kt 3.4 kt
20° angle
✈️ 08/26
Active: 08
12,000 ft 150 ft CON 90°
8.7 kt 5.0 kt
30° angle
16L/34R 12,000 ft 150 ft CON 180°
6.4 kt 7.7 kt
130° angle
16R/34L 16,000 ft 200 ft CON 180°
6.4 kt 7.7 kt
130° angle
17L/35R 12,000 ft 150 ft CON 180°
6.4 kt 7.7 kt
130° angle
17R/35L 12,000 ft 150 ft CON 180°
6.4 kt 7.7 kt
130° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KDEN

6,263 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
88.7%
MVFR
5.1%
IFR
3.6%
LIFR
2.5%

Denver International Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 88.7% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the SW averaging 9.4 knots, with gusts recorded up to 34 knots. Temperature extremes range from -19°C to 32°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, February, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SW (225°)
Average Speed: 9.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 34 kt
Calm Winds: 4%
Direction Distribution:
N
11.1%
NE
9.1%
E
8.8%
SE
6.7%
S
16.4%
SW
21.6%
W
15.2%
NW
7.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 8.3°C
Range: -19°C to 32°C
-19°C 32°C

Visibility

Average: 9.7 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.5%
Fog Frequency: 1.9%

Best Months for VFR

October February November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 07/25
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.8 kt
Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6 kt
Runway 16L/34R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.2 kt
Runway 16R/34L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.2 kt
Runway 17L/35R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6 kt
Runway 17R/35L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6 kt

Statistics computed from 6,263 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Denver International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KDEN
IATA Code: DEN
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 5,431 ft MSL

Location

City: Denver
Country: US
Latitude: 39.861698°
Longitude: -104.672997°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+7

Runway Information

Runway 07/25
Length: 12,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 08/26
Length: 12,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 16L/34R
Length: 12,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 16R/34L
Length: 16,000 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 17L/35R
Length: 12,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 17R/35L
Length: 12,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Denver International Airport

Overview

Denver International Airport serves as a major hub located in northeastern Colorado, situated at an elevation of 5,431 feet mean sea level. The airport handles significant commercial and cargo traffic, positioned strategically in the Rocky Mountain region. Its substantial infrastructure includes six substantial concrete runways, each measuring between 12,000 and 16,000 feet in length.

Flying Conditions

The high-elevation airport experiences significant altitude-related atmospheric conditions that can impact aircraft performance and handling. Seasonal variations include potential winter snow and wind events, with the airport's elevated position contributing to rapid weather transitions. Pilots should anticipate potential density altitude challenges, particularly during summer months when ambient temperatures can significantly affect aircraft capabilities.

Notable Features

Denver International's expansive runway configuration allows for complex and flexible air traffic operations, with six parallel runways enabling simultaneous approaches and departures. The airport's geographic positioning at 39.861698, -104.672997 places it in an area with potential mountain wave and wind shear conditions. The extensive runway lengths (12,000-16,000 feet) provide significant operational flexibility for various aircraft types.

Approach Considerations

Runway selection at Denver International will typically depend on prevailing wind conditions, with the substantial runway lengths allowing multiple approach options. The multiple parallel runway configurations (07/25, 08/26, 16L/34R, 16R/34L, 17L/35R, 17R/35L) provide pilots with adaptable landing and takeoff alternatives. Understanding the airport's high elevation is critical for approach and performance planning.

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.