San Francisco International Airport (KSFO)
San Francisco, United States · North America
By Renzo, CPL
ICAO
KSFO
IATA
SFO
City
San Francisco
Country
United States
Region
North America
Elevation
13 ft
Runways
4 runways
Coordinates
37.6213, -122.3790
Overview
Major West Coast gateway known for frequent fog and low-visibility approaches with closely spaced parallel runways.
Current Weather at KSFO
Pilots flying into or out of San Francisco International Airport should always check the latest METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) before departure. A METAR is a standardized weather observation issued every hour (or more frequently as a SPECI when conditions change rapidly). It includes wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud layers, temperature, dewpoint, and altimeter setting -- everything you need for a safe go/no-go decision.
Live conditions
Current METAR
METAR KSFO 270356Z 28012G25KT 10SM FEW008 SCT013 16/13 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP168 T01610133 $Wind 280° at 12 kt — likely active runway near heading 28
Current TAF
TAF KSFO 270259Z 2703/2806 27017G27KT P6SM SKC FM270800 27014KT P6SM SCT010 FM271000 28012KT P6SM BKN010 FM271900 27020G30KT P6SM SKCDecode METAR for KSFO
Paste the KSFO METAR into our free decoder and get a plain-English breakdown instantly.
Check Weather Before Your Flight
A thorough weather briefing is essential for safe flight operations at San Francisco International Airport. Here are the key weather products every pilot should review:
- METARHourly surface observation for KSFO. Includes wind, visibility, ceiling, temp/dewpoint, and altimeter.
- TAFTerminal Aerodrome Forecast covering the next 24-30 hours. Look for expected wind shifts, visibility changes, and precipitation.
- NOTAMNotices to Air Missions for KSFO. Check for runway closures, taxiway restrictions, and navaid outages.
- PIREPPilot Reports from aircraft near San Francisco. Real-world turbulence, icing, and cloud top reports.
- SIG/AIRMETArea forecasts for significant weather, turbulence, and icing that may affect operations around San Francisco International Airport.
Learn to read sectional charts to plan your route visually, and use our crosswind calculator to check runway compatibility with current winds.
Pilot Resources at San Francisco International Airport
Radio Frequencies
Always verify current frequencies in the Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD) before flight. Common frequencies for airports like KSFO include ATIS/AWOS, Ground, Tower (if towered), Approach/Departure, and Clearance Delivery. Frequencies change -- never rely on outdated sources.
Flight Schools Nearby
Browse flight schools near San Francisco and compare training programs.
Private Pilot Guide
Everything you need to earn your PPL, from requirements to checkride prep.
METAR Decoder
Decode any METAR report into plain English. Free tool for student and experienced pilots.
Sectional Chart Guide
Learn to read VFR sectional charts for navigation around San Francisco.
Training Availability
No On-Field Training Reported
San Francisco International Airport is primarily a commercial operations airport. Check nearby GA airports for flight training options.
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