KMDW/MDW METAR & TAF Chicago Midway International Airport

Chicago, IllinoisElevation 620 ftLarge airport

CURRENT STATUS

VFR35 min old

Ceiling 25,000 ft, visibility 10 SM.

FLIGHT CATEGORY

VFR

ceiling & visibility

WIND

200@5

steady

VISIBILITY

10 SM

16.1 km

CEILING

25,000 ft

lowest BKN/OVC

DENSITY ALT

465 ft

-155 ft vs field

CURRENT METAR

Decoded observation

Observed 0353Z (10:53 PM local) · 35 min old

KMDW is currently VFR. Winds are from the south at 5 knots. Visibility is 10 statute miles. The ceiling is 25,000 feet AGL.

WIND

200° at 5 kt

Steady.

VISIBILITY

10 statute miles

16.1 km, good.

CEILING & SKY

Ceiling 25,000 ft

Lowest broken or overcast layer.

TEMP / DEWPOINT

16°C / 8°C

61°F / 46°F. 8°C spread.

ALTIMETER

30.34 inHg

1027.4 hPa, above standard.

WEATHER & HAZARDS

No significant hazards

No precipitation or obscuration reported.

Codes in this report: BKN RMK AO2

Hover or tap any group for a plain-English explanation.

REMARKS: DECODED

AO2

automated station with a precipitation discriminator (can tell rain from snow)

SLP270

sea-level pressure 1027.0 hPa

T01560083

precise temperature 15.6°C, dew point 8.3°C

TERMINAL AERODROME FORECAST

TAF timeline

Issued 0253Z (9:53 PM local) · valid to 0600Z (1:00 AM local)

KMDW forecast starts VFR at 03Z. Worst period is 12Z to 15Z with LIFR possible (LOW CIG, LOW CIG). Best period is 03Z to 10Z (VFR). Conditions are roughly steady over the period.

BKN25025,000 ft

BKN20020,000 ft

BKN008800 ft

BKN20020,000 ft

0300Z10:00 PM0824Z3:24 AM1348Z8:48 AM1912Z2:12 PM0036Z7:36 PM0600Z1:00 AM

Codes in this report: P6SM BKN SCT TEMPO BR OVC

Tap any group to decode it.

FAA: no delays reported at MDW.

Source: FAA System Operations (ASWS). Operational status only; verify with official FAA sources and NOTAMs.

SUGGESTED RISK · TRAINING USE

Suggested risk level: Low

›Forecast: ceiling 800 ft AGL.

A suggested risk level for training and situational awareness only, not a go/no-go authority. Verify with official sources and apply your personal minimums.

FORECAST & PILOT NOTES · SUPPLEMENTAL

Extended forecast and pilot notes

Current aviation conditions show flight category VFR, wind from 200° at 5 kt, visibility 10 SM, ceiling 25,000 ft. Forecast suggests tonight partly cloudy, low near 55F, 1% chance of precipitation. Key risks: thunderstorms in the forecast.

PILOT WEATHER NOTES

Thunderstorms in the forecastWeather.gov

Thursday: Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms. Watch for developing convection and plan alternates.

Day	Conditions	Temp F	Wind	Gusts	Precip	Pilot note
Tonight	Partly Cloudy	55	SW 4 kt	–	1%
Monday	Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy	62/51	NNE 13 kt	22 kt	3%
Tuesday	Mostly Cloudy	67/57	SE 9 kt	–	4%
Wednesday	Mostly Sunny	70/59	SSW 9 kt	–	6%
Thursday	Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms	75/58	SW 9 kt	–	22%	Thunderstorms in the forecast
Friday	Chance Rain Showers	74/59	SSE 4 kt	–	29%
Saturday	Chance Rain Showers	71/58	S 4 kt	–	54%
Sunday	Chance Rain Showers	69	SW 9 kt	–	42%

Source: National Weather Service (office LOT). Forecast issued 0249Z.

Radar

Radar data: NOAA/NWS MRMS composite reflectivity. For situational awareness only, not a substitute for an official weather briefing.

RUNWAYS & WIND

4 runways · crosswind ranking

ON-FIELD METAR

READING THE BARB · SWIPE FOR MORE →

Calm

5 kt

10 kt

15 kt

20 kt

25 kt

30 kt

35 kt

40 kt

45 kt

50 kt

65 kt

75 kt

100 kt

105 kt

Half feather = 5 kt, full = 10 kt, filled pennant = 50 kt; add them up. The staff points the direction the wind blows from.

WIND USED

200° at 5 kt

Components computed from the current on-field METAR wind.

RECOMMENDED

RWY 22R5 kt headwind · 2 kt crosswind

RUNWAYS BY WIND · best end

22R

HEAD

5 kt

CROSS

2 kt L

BEST

22L

HEAD

5 kt

CROSS

2 kt L

OK

13R

HEAD

2 kt

CROSS

5 kt R

OK

13L

HEAD

2 kt

CROSS

5 kt R

OK

31L

HEAD

2 kt tail

CROSS

5 kt L

OK

31R

HEAD

2 kt tail

CROSS

5 kt L

OK

04L

HEAD

5 kt tail

CROSS

2 kt R

OK

04R

HEAD

5 kt tail

CROSS

2 kt R

OK

Components are estimates from the current METAR wind and runway heading. Verify with the Chart Supplement and NOTAMs.

RUNWAYS

Runway detail & declared distances

4 runways · longest 6,522 ft

13R/31L

Dimensions

3,859 x 60 ft

Surface

Asphalt (excellent)

Edge lights

MED

RWY 13R134°T

RWY 31L314°T

04L/22R

Dimensions

5,507 x 150 ft

Surface

Asphalt (good)

Edge lights

MED

RWY 04L43°T

Landing length (LDA)4,749 ft

TORA / TODA / ASDA5,507 / 5,507 / 5,507 ft

Displaced threshold758 ft

VGSIPAPI (P4L)

Traffic patternLeft

RWY 22R223°T

Landing length (LDA)4,629 ft

TORA / TODA / ASDA5,507 / 5,507 / 5,507 ft

Displaced threshold878 ft

VGSIPAPI (P4L)

Traffic patternLeft

13L/31R

Dimensions

6,522 x 150 ft

Surface

Asphalt

Edge lights

HIGH

RWY 13L134°T

Landing length (LDA)6,059 ft

TORA / TODA / ASDA6,522 / 6,522 / 6,522 ft

Displaced threshold463 ft

ILSILS/DME

Approach lightsRLLS

VGSIPAPI (P4R)

Traffic patternLeft

RWY 31R314°T

Landing length (LDA)5,826 ft

TORA / TODA / ASDA6,522 / 6,522 / 6,522 ft

Displaced threshold696 ft

ILSILS/DME

Approach lightsRLLS

REILYes

VGSIPAPI (P4L)

Traffic patternLeft

04R/22L

Dimensions

6,445 x 150 ft

Surface

Asphalt

Edge lights

HIGH

RWY 04R43°T

Landing length (LDA)5,928 ft

TORA / TODA / ASDA6,446 / 6,446 / 6,446 ft

Displaced threshold518 ft

ILSILS/DME

REILYes

VGSIPAPI (P4L)

Traffic patternLeft

RWY 22L223°T

Landing length (LDA)5,812 ft

TORA / TODA / ASDA6,446 / 6,446 / 6,446 ft

Displaced threshold635 ft

REILYes

VGSIPAPI (P4R)

Traffic patternLeft

Runway data from the FAA NASR dataset (effective 2026-06-11). Verify with the current Chart Supplement and NOTAMs.

FIELD CONDITIONS

Performance & density altitude

Density altitude

465 ft

Pressure altitude

200 ft

Field elevation

620 ft MSL

Temperature

16°C (61°F)

Dewpoint

8°C (46°F)

Altimeter

30.34 inHg

Density altitude estimates how the aircraft performs versus standard atmosphere. Higher density altitude reduces climb performance and increases takeoff distance.

DAYLIGHT & NIGHT

Sun & logging windows

Sunset

2254Z 5:54 PM

Sunrise

1215Z 7:15 AM

Loggable night

2323Z (6:23 PM local) → 1147Z (6:47 AM local)

end of evening to start of morning civil twilight

Position lights required

2254Z (5:54 PM local) → 1215Z (7:15 AM local)

sunset to sunrise (91.209)

Night passenger currency

2354Z (6:54 PM local) → 1115Z (6:15 AM local)

1 hr after sunset to 1 hr before sunrise (61.57(b))

FAA definitions, shown in Zulu with airport-local time. Verify for your operation.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

Facility & services

Chicago Midway International Airport is in Chicago, Illinois. Field elevation 620 ft MSL. Airport facts are drawn from OurAirports and the FAA NASR dataset.

OPERATIONS & CONTACT

OwnershipPublicly owned

UseOpen to the public

TypeLarge airport

Airline serviceYes

ManagerMICHAEL MCMURRAY

Manager phone773-686-8060

AttendedContinuous (24 hours)

CHARTS & AIRSPACE

ICAO / IATAKMDW / MDW

SectionalCHICAGO

Center (ARTCC)CHICAGO

Flight service (AFSS)KANKAKEE

CustomsAirport of entry

RegionIllinois

CountryUnited States

Coordinates41.7860, -87.7524

Distance from city9 NM SW

SERVICES & LIGHTING

Fuel100LL · Jet A-1+

Control towerTowered

BeaconSunset to sunrise · White-green (lighted land airport)

UNICOM122.950

FREQUENCIES

Communications

118.4

APP/DEP

A/D

132.75

ASOS

132.75

ATIS

121.85

CLNC DEL

CLD

121.65

GND

118.7

TWR

122.95

UNICOM

UNIC

122.950

UNICOM

Not all tower/ground/approach frequencies are in our datasets. Verify with the FAA Chart Supplement.

AIRCRAFT ACTIVITY

KMDW traffic patterns

2026-06-12 to 2026-10-23, 70 days observed · data 2026-10-23

High confidence

TRAFFIC VOLUME (30-DAY)

AVG LANDINGS/DAY

210.5

AVG OPS/DAY

251.2

Operations trend (18 days)

Busiest day: Mon · Busiest month: Sep

FLEET MIX

Airliner 80%Unknown 10%Jet 8%Piston single 2%

Mostly airliner-class aircraft.

TOP AIRCRAFT TYPES

›B38M (Airliner) · ~1392 landings/mo

›B737 (Airliner) · ~869 landings/mo

›B738 (Airliner) · ~758 landings/mo

›A20N (Airliner) · ~112 landings/mo

›C68A (Unknown) · ~112 landings/mo

LIKELY BASED AIRCRAFT

Low-confidence estimate

Aircraft likely based near this airport (estimate), mostly single-engine piston aircraft.

›C172 (Piston single)

›P28A (Piston single)

›UNKN (Unknown)

›C68A (Unknown)

›GLF4 (Unknown)

This is an estimate based on repeated flight patterns, not registration data. Do not rely on it to identify specific aircraft or owners.

Data limitations (4)

›ADS-B coverage is incomplete; counts are an observed lower bound, not official totals.

›Some aircraft do not transmit usable ADS-B and are not counted.

›Aircraft types and based estimates are inferred and may be wrong.

›This is not official ATC, FAA, or airport data.

NEARBY AIRPORTS

Weather reference stations

Current flight category at nearby reporting stations.

KORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport

13 NM NW

VFR

KLOT Lewis University Airport

19 NM SW

VFR

KDPA Dupage Airport

23 NM W

VFR

KJOT Joliet Regional Airport

25 NM SW

VFR

KARR Aurora Municipal Airport

32 NM W

VFR

KUGN Waukegan National Airport

39 NM N

VFR

AIRPORT REMARKS

Operational remarks

›TWY A CLSD TO ACFT OVR 94 FT WINGSPAN.

›ARPT CLSD TO SOLO STUDENT TRAINING.

›TWY N CLSD BTN TWY Y AND RWY 22L PAD.

›PCR VALUE: 685/F/D/X/U

›RWY 04L/22R NOT AVBL FOR PART 121/PART 380 OPS WITH SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 9 PAX SEATS AND NON-SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 30 PAX SEATS.

›ENGINEERED MATERIALS ARRESTING SYSTEM (EMAS) 346 FT IN LENGTH BY 170 FT IN WIDTH LCTD AT THE DER 22L.

›ENGINEERED MATERIALS ARRESTING SYSTEM (EMAS) 210 FT IN LENGTH BY 170 FT IN WIDTH LCTD AT THE DER 31R.

›RWY 04L APCH RATIO 19:1 AT DSPLCD THLD. TREES 178 FT L 1313 FT FROM DSPLCD THLD.

›CLOSE-IN OBST ALL RYS EXCEPT RY 13R/31L TOO NUMEROUS TO ITEMIZE.

›RY 22L PREFERRED DEP RY 2200-0700.

›PCR VALUE: 125/R/B/X/U

›RWY 04R APCH RATIO 16:1 AT DSPLCD THLD. TREE 547 FT R 1122 FT FROM DSPLCD THLD.

›PCR VALUE: 685/F/D/X/U

›TWY F CLSD TO ACFT OVR 94 FT WINGSPAN.

›RWY 13L APCH RATIO 16:1 AT DSPLCD THLD. TREE 453 FT R 915 FT FROM DSPLCD THLD.

›NOISE ABATEMENT PROCEDURES: ALL DEPARTURES ARE REQUESTED TO EXPEDITE CLIMB THROUGH 1500 FT MSL 2200-0600 DLY.

›RY 13R/31L CLSD TO FLT OPS WHEN ACFT OVR 79 FT WINGSPAN ARE ON TWY F.

›RWY 31R APCH RATIO 24:1 AT DSPLCD THR. TREE 1211 FT FROM DSPLCD THR 459 FT R.

›RWY 22R APCH RATIO 37:1 AT DSPLCD THR. TREE 2490 FT FROM DSPLCD THR 319 FT L.

›ARPT OPNS 773-838-0677.

›ARFF INDEX "D" EQPT AVBL WITH 8 HRS NOTIFICATION TO ARPT OPNS 773-838-0677.

›RWY 22L APCH RATIO 19:1 AT DSPLCD THLD. LGT POLE 474 FT R 674 FT FROM DSPLCD THLD.

›PCR VALUE: 330/F/D/X/U

›BIRDS ON & INVOF ARPT.

›ENGINEERED MATERIALS ARRESTING SYSTEM (EMAS) 190 FT IN LENGTH BY 170 FT IN WIDTH LCTD AT THE DER 13L.

›ENGINEERED MATERIALS ARRESTING SYSTEM (EMAS) 249 FT IN LENGTH BY 170 FT IN WIDTH LCTD AT THE DER 04R.

›RWY 13R/31L NOT AVBL FOR PART 121/PART 380 OPS WITH SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 9 PAX SEATS AND NON-SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 30 PAX SEATS.

About Chicago Midway International Airport

History

OFFICIAL LINKS & SOURCES

↗Official METAR on AviationWeather.gov

↗Search NOTAMs (official FAA NOTAM Search)

↗Official airport website

↗Wikipedia

↗KMDW on OurAirports

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Does KMDW have a METAR?

Yes. KMDW has a current METAR observation, decoded into plain English on this page.

Does KMDW have a TAF?

Yes, a TAF is issued for KMDW; the decoded forecast timeline is shown above.

What is the field elevation at KMDW?

KMDW sits at 620 ft MSL, which factors into the density-altitude estimate on this page.

Is this an official preflight weather briefing for KMDW?

No. wxdecoder.com is for education and situational awareness only. It is not an official weather briefing or a substitute for official sources, NOTAM review, and pilot judgment.