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 011756Z 24009KT 10SM FEW009 BKN046 19/09 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP167 T01940094 10194 20167 51013Wind 240° at 9 kt — likely active runway near heading 24
Current TAF
TAF KSFO 011720Z 0118/0224 26011KT P6SM BKN050 FM021600 18008KT P6SM SCT040Read any KSFO METAR without second-guessing
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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 Frequencies change -- never rely on outdated sources.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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