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 030856Z 26008KT 10SM FEW006 BKN011 13/11 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP177 T01280106 56006 $Wind 260° at 8 kt — likely active runway near heading 26
Current TAF
TAF KSFO 030859Z 0309/0412 26009KT P6SM BKN010 FM031600 28011KT P6SM SCT250 FM032000 28020G30KT P6SM SCT250 FM040800 27010KT P6SM FEW015Decode 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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