Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW) Aviation Weather, METAR, TAF & ATIS Alerts

Live aviation weather for Chicago Midway International Airport in Chicago, IL, including METAR, TAF, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter, runway crosswinds, and Telegram airport alerts.

Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW) is one of the primary air-carrier airports serving Chicago, IL at 620 ft. KMDW reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF, and broadcasts digital ATIS (D-ATIS), decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. Its 10 runways (04L, 04R, 13L, 13LC), longest 6,522 ft, are checked against the current wind in the crosswind table below. The official FAA airport diagram is at the bottom of the page. Track KMDW in the ATIS Alerts Telegram bot to get a message the moment the ATIS letter changes or the weather drops below your selected minimums.

VFR

Observed 2253Z (5:53 PM CDT)live · refreshes every 60s

Wind

250° 11 kt

Visibility

10+ sm

Ceiling

25,000 ft

Altimeter

29.85"

Temp / Dew

85°F / 29°C

dew 64°F / 18°C

Wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 11 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, a few clouds at 5,500 ft, a few clouds at 21,000 ft, broken clouds at 25,000 ft, temperature 29°C (85°F), altimeter 29.85 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR), ceiling 25,000 ft.

Raw METAR

METAR KMDW 122253Z 25011KT 10SM FEW055 FEW210 BKN250 29/18 A2985 RMK AO2 SLP097 T02940178

What changed at KMDW?

Since the 2153Z (4:53 PM CDT) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.

Wind direction moved from 280° to 250°.

This is exactly what ATIS Alerts watches for you: get a Telegram message when KMDW's ATIS or weather changes, free →

Current pilot readout for KMDW

KMDW is currently VFR with winds from 250° at 11 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 25,000 ft ceiling. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway 13L, about 10 knots. Density altitude is approximately 2,600 ft (field elevation 620 ft). Review the latest TAF below for forecast changes before departure.

⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.

New to aviation weather? How to read a METAR → · What VFR/MVFR/IFR mean → · Decode any METAR/TAF → · Density altitude calculator →

Get KMDW weather alerts in Telegram

Stop refreshing aviation weather manually. Track KMDW in ATIS Alerts and get notified when the ATIS changes, the airport drops below VFR, or wind and ceiling conditions move closer to your minimums.

Track KMDW free on Telegram

Staying over at KMDW

For pilots and crews overnighting at Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW).

Nearby Pilot Hotel Deals

Well-reviewed places under $500 a night near KMDW (MDW); drag to explore or tap a pin for the rate.

Crew Rental Car Deals

Ask the FBO about a crew car first: many hand you keys for a couple of hours at no charge. For an overnight or a one-way, compare rental desks at MDW on one page.

Affiliate disclosure: ATIS Alerts earns a commission on hotel and rental car bookings made through this section, at no extra cost to you. Hotel rates come from Stay22's booking partners (Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo and others) and rental car prices from DiscoverCars.com and its rental partners, not from ATIS Alerts.

D-ATIS

Digital Automatic Terminal Information Service, the live broadcast.

Combined ATIS: Information Kilo (2253Z / 5:53 PM CDT)

MDW ATIS INFO K 2253Z. 25011KT 10SM FEW055 FEW210 BKN250 29/18 A2985 (TWO NINER EIGHT FIVE) RMK AO2 SLP097 T02940178. ILS RWY 31R APCH IN USE. LNDG AND DEPG RWYS 31. NOTICE TO AIRMEN. TWY Y3 CLSD. Y PAD CLSD. RWY 4R GS OTS. AIRCRAFT SHOULD OPERATE MODE CEE ON ALL TWYS AND RWYS. CLEARANCE DELIVERY CLOSED. CTC GROUND 118.075 FOR CLEARANCE. MIDWAY A/C ON FREQUENCY 135.2. READBACK ALL RWY HOLD SHORT INSTRUCTIONS AND ALT ASSIGNMENTS. ...ADVS YOU HAVE INFO K.

See all US D-ATIS airports →

Runway wind check

Estimated head/tailwind and crosswind for each runway end from the current reported wind.

Use this section to quickly compare current wind alignment across available runways at KMDW. This is intended as a planning aid only and should not replace official performance calculations or pilot judgment.

Runway	Length	Surface	Head / Tail	Crosswind
22LFAV	6,445 ft	PEM	10 kt head	5 kt right
22R	5,507 ft	ASP	10 kt head	5 kt right
31L	3,859 ft	CON	5 kt head	10 kt left
31R	6,522 ft	CON	5 kt head	10 kt left
13L	6,522 ft	CON	5 kt tail	10 kt right
13R	3,859 ft	CON	5 kt tail	10 kt right
04L	5,507 ft	ASP	10 kt tail	5 kt left
04R	6,445 ft	PEM	10 kt tail	5 kt left

Open the crosswind calculator to try your own wind and runway numbers →

24-hour trend

Wind, ceiling and flight category over the last 24 hours.

Wind (kt)Gusts (kt)Bottom strip, flight category:VFRMVFRIFRLIFRNo report

Over the last 23 h: wind 10→11 kt, ceiling unlimited → 25,000 ft.

KMDW weather radar

Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast. Drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.

Live weather radar around Chicago Midway International Airport in Chicago, IL: the NOAA/NWS NEXRAD composite updates about every five minutes, with NOAA lightning strike density overlaid. The loop plays the past 50 minutes, then continues into a future-radar forecast (+1 to +4 hours, NOAA HRRR model) so you can see where precipitation around KMDW is headed.

Loading…

Loading radar…

Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © Stadia Maps © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap

Forecast frames (amber label) are HRRR model guidance, not observed radar. Lightning strike density appears as a blue-white glow when strikes are detected in view. Radar and lightning coverage are limited in parts of Alaska, Hawaii, and offshore areas. Not for navigation.

Pilot reports (PIREPs) within 100 NM of KMDW

Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours, via aviationweather.gov.

PIREP2305Z (6:05 PM CDT) · 70 NM N of KMDW · during descent · E75L

Show raw report

MKE UA /OV MKE/TM 2305/FL025/TP E75L/TB NEG/RM MKE 25L FINAL

MKE UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV MKELocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2305Reported at 23:05 UTC.

FL025Altitude: 2,500 ft MSL.

TP E75LAircraft type reporting.

TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.

RM MKE 25L FINALRemarks.

PIREP2252Z (5:52 PM CDT) · 70 NM N of KMDW · 4,000 ft MSL · GLF4

Show raw report

MKE UA /OV MKE/TM 2252/FL040/TP GLF4/SK BKN040

MKE UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV MKELocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2252Reported at 22:52 UTC.

FL040Altitude: 4,000 ft MSL.

TP GLF4Aircraft type reporting.

SK BKN040Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.

PIREP2246Z (5:46 PM CDT) · 28 NM N of KMDW · 36,000 ft MSL · B737

occasional light chop turbulence

Show raw report

PWK UA /OV OBK/TM 2246/FL360/TP B737/TB OCNL LGT CHOP

PWK UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV OBKLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2246Reported at 22:46 UTC.

FL360Altitude: 36,000 ft MSL.

TP B737Aircraft type reporting.

TB OCNL LGT CHOPTurbulence: occasional light chop.

PIREP2245Z (5:45 PM CDT) · 29 NM SW of KMDW · 34,000 ft MSL · CRJ9

occasional light chop turbulence

Show raw report

JOT UA /OV JOT/TM 2245/FL340/TP CRJ9/TB OCNL LGT CHOP

JOT UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV JOTLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2245Reported at 22:45 UTC.

FL340Altitude: 34,000 ft MSL.

TP CRJ9Aircraft type reporting.

TB OCNL LGT CHOPTurbulence: occasional light chop.

PIREP2239Z (5:39 PM CDT) · 9 NM E of KMDW · 37,000 ft MSL · B738

continuous light chop occasional mo dchop turbulence

Show raw report

ORD UA /OV CGT360020/TM 2239/FL370/TP B738/TB CONS LGT CHOP OCNL MO DCHOP

ORD UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV CGT360020Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2239Reported at 22:39 UTC.

FL370Altitude: 37,000 ft MSL.

TP B738Aircraft type reporting.

TB CONS LGT CHOP OCNL MO DCH…Turbulence: continuous light chop occasional mo dchop.

PIREP2050Z (3:50 PM CDT) · 65 NM NW of KMDW · 3,000 ft MSL · CH7A

Show raw report

RFD UA /OV RFD/TM 2050/FL030/TP CH7A/SK BKN040/RM ESTIMATED

RFD UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV RFDLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2050Reported at 20:50 UTC.

FL030Altitude: 3,000 ft MSL.

TP CH7AAircraft type reporting.

SK BKN040Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.

RM ESTIMATEDRemarks.

PIREP2042Z (3:42 PM CDT) · 29 NM SW of KMDW · 38,000 ft MSL · B738

continuous light occasional chop turbulence

Show raw report

JOT UA /OV JOT/TM 2042/FL380/TP B738/TB CONS LGT OCNL CHOP

JOT UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV JOTLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2042Reported at 20:42 UTC.

FL380Altitude: 38,000 ft MSL.

TP B738Aircraft type reporting.

TB CONS LGT OCNL CHOPTurbulence: continuous light occasional chop.

PIREP2026Z (3:26 PM CDT) · 59 NM SW of KMDW · 38,000 ft MSL · B38M

continuous light turbulence

Show raw report

JOT UA /OV JOT250030/TM 2026/FL380/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT

JOT UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV JOT250030Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2026Reported at 20:26 UTC.

FL380Altitude: 38,000 ft MSL.

TP B38MAircraft type reporting.

TB CONS LGTTurbulence: continuous light.

⚠️ PIREPs are unverified pilot reports. Not for operational use: conditions change between reports.

Recent aviation weather trends at KMDW

From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.

Over the past 24 hours, KMDW reported mostly VFR across 24 observations, with 0 flight-category changes. The strongest gust reached 19 kt, the lowest ceiling was 4,800 ft. Wind most often came from the S.

Last 24 hours

VFR 100%

Wind avg/max: 6/11 kt

Max gust: 19 kt

Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft

Lowest vis: -

Prevailing wind: S

Category changes: 0

Last 7 days

VFR 93%MVFR 7%

Wind avg/max: 7/15 kt

Max gust: 24 kt

Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft

Lowest vis: 9 sm

Prevailing wind: E

Category changes: 9

Most recent change: MVFR → VFR

Active Runway - past 30 days

22L/22R: 46%
04L/04R: 25%
13L/13R: 15%
31L/31R: 14%

TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast

Issued 2320Z (6:20 PM CDT)

TAF KMDW 122320Z 1300/1406 26009KT P6SM SCT040 BKN250 FM130130 34007KT P6SM FEW040 SCT150 FM131500 34011KT P6SM BKN090 PROB30 1317/1322 5SM -SHRA BKN050 FM140100 34006KT P6SM SCT050

New to TAFs? How to read one →

Want forecast changes pushed to you? Start free on Telegram → TAF heads-ups are part of Premium · see what Premium includes

Get free ATIS alerts for KMDW

We'll message you on Telegram the moment KMDW (Chicago Midway International Airport)'s ATIS letter changes or it drops below VFR, so you check weather only when it actually matters.

Track KMDW on Telegram

Free • no app to install • unsubscribe anytime

Airport facts

Reference data from the OurAirports dataset.

Type: Large airport
ICAO: KMDW
IATA: MDW
FAA LID: MDW
City: Chicago
State: Illinois
Country: United States
Elevation: 620 ft
Coordinates: 41.7860, -87.7524
Runways: 10
Longest runway: 6,522 ft
Weather reporting: METAR · D-ATIS
TAF: Published
ATIS: 132.75 MHz
AWOS/ASOS: 132.75 MHz
Time zone: America/Chicago
Sunset in: 34m

Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed KMDW's live status on your website, free →

Nearby airports

Compare nearby METAR/TAF stations within 25, 50 and 100 NM before departure or arrival.

VFRMVFRIFRLIFRNo report

Within 25 NM

8 airports

KORDChicago O'Hare International AirportChicago, IL13 nm NWVFR METAR · TAF KIGQLansing Municipal AirportChicago, IL18 nm SEVFR METAR KGYYGary/Chicago International AirportGary, IN18 nm SEVFR METAR · TAF KLOTLewis University AirportChicago/Romeoville, IL19 nm SWVFR METAR KPWKChicago Executive AirportChicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, IL21 nm NVFR METAR KDPADupage AirportChicago/West Chicago, IL23 nm WVFR METAR · TAF

+2 more within 25 NM

25–50 NM

8 airports

KARRAurora Municipal AirportChicago/Aurora, IL32 nm WVFR METAR KUGNWaukegan National AirportChicago/Waukegan, IL39 nm NVFR METAR KVPZPorter County Municipal AirportValparaiso, IN39 nm SEVFR METAR KMGCMichigan City Municipal AirportMichigan City, IN42 nm EVFR METAR KIKKGreater Kankakee AirportKankakee, IL43 nm SVFR METAR KDKBDeKalb Taylor Municipal AirportDeKalb, IL44 nm WVFR METAR

+2 more within 50 NM

50–100 NM

8 airports

KOXIStarke County AirportKnox, IN56 nm SEVFR METAR KRZLJasper County AirportRensselaer, IN57 nm SEVFR METAR KRACJohn H Batten AirportRacine, WI59 nm NVFR METAR KBUUBurlington Municipal AirportBurlington, WI60 nm NWMVFR METAR KRPJRochelle Municipal Airport - Koritz FieldRochelle, IL60 nm WVFR METAR KBEHSouthwest Michigan Regional AirportBenton Harbor, MI63 nm EVFR METAR

+2 more within 100 NM

RC flying fields nearby

AMA model-aircraft club fields around this airport: live wind, crosswind & flyability on each page.

Checkerboard RC Club, Inc - Miller Meadow , Forest Park, IL · 6 mi
Woodland Aero Modelers - Trinity Lutheran School , Burr Ridge, IL · 8 mi
107th Aero Squadron - Morrill Meadow Flying Field , Palos Hills, IL · 8 mi

All RC flying fields →

See all Illinois airports →

Historical Flying Weather at KMDW

2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index

Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, KMDW reported VFR conditions during about 78.6% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 260 VFR flying days a year. July had the most VFR weather; December had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 8.5 kt, calm 5.5% of the time.

VFR Score

Wind Score

Reliability Score

National VFR rank

#1108 of 1,400

Regional rank

#41

State rank

#23

Full historical breakdown

Daylight VFR

78.6%

MVFR

15.1%

IFR

5.5%

LIFR

1.6%

Est. VFR days/yr

260

Most VFR month

July

Fewest VFR month

December

Median ceiling

6,500 ft

Median visibility

10 sm

Calm wind

5.5%

Median wind

8 kt

Gusty hours

19.9%

Crosswind >15 kt

0.2%

Fog/mist days/yr

132

Thunderstorm days/yr

Summer density alt

2,149 ft

Flight category by month

VFRMVFRIFRLIFR

KMDW monthly flight-category distribution, 2006–2025
Month	VFR %	MVFR %	IFR %	LIFR %
Jan	58.0	25.9	11.8	4.3
Feb	67.7	20.7	8.5	3.1
Mar	73.8	17.8	6.4	2.0
Apr	79.9	13.1	5.7	1.3
May	83.4	10.7	4.6	1.3
Jun	87.7	7.9	3.5	0.9
Jul	91.8	6.6	1.4	0.1
Aug	90.8	7.5	1.5	0.2
Sep	86.8	10.5	2.3	0.4
Oct	81.4	13.3	4.7	0.6
Nov	75.2	19.1	4.7	1.1
Dec	57.4	28.2	11.0	3.5

Average wind by month

KMDW average wind by month, 2006–2025
Month	Mean wind (kt)
Jan	9.3 kt
Feb	9.4 kt
Mar	9.5 kt
Apr	9.7 kt
May	8.4 kt
Jun	7.9 kt
Jul	7.2 kt
Aug	6.9 kt
Sep	7.3 kt
Oct	8.4 kt
Nov	8.9 kt
Dec	8.9 kt

Great Lakes flying weather Most VFR airports Windiest airports Flying Weather Index

Historical summary of past observations: not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.

KMDW airport diagram

Official FAA taxiway and runway layout. Tap to zoom.

The FAA airport diagram for Chicago Midway International Airport in Chicago, IL shows the runway and taxiway layout across 10 runways, ramp areas, and hold-short positions. Review it before taxiing at an unfamiliar field.

Official FAA airport diagram · d-TPP cycle 2610 · Not for navigation. Download the official FAA PDF ↗

KMDW weather: frequently asked

What runways are available at KMDW?+

KMDW has 10 runways: 04L, 04R, 13L, 13LC, 13R, 22L, 22R, 31L, 31R, 31RC; the longest is 6,522 ft. This page computes the live crosswind for each runway end from the current wind.

Does KMDW report its own weather?+

Yes. Chicago Midway International Airport has its own weather station and publishes METAR observations, which this page decodes live.

Does KMDW have a TAF?+

Yes. The TAF is shown on this page below the current conditions.

Does KMDW broadcast D-ATIS?+

Yes. KMDW publishes digital ATIS, and the live broadcast text with its current information letter is shown on this page. The ATIS Alerts bot (@atisalerts_bot) can message you the moment the letter changes.

Where can I find the KMDW airport diagram?+

The official FAA airport diagram for Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW) is shown on this page. It maps the runway and taxiway layout, ramps, and hold-short lines. Tap it to zoom, or download the official FAA PDF free from the link under the diagram (updated every 28-day FAA charting cycle).

Pilot PIREPs for Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW)

Community-submitted

Community-submitted airport notes from pilots about runway conditions, wildlife, FBOs, fuel, turbulence, ramp access, and local tips.

Read recent community-submitted pilot notes for Chicago Midway International Airport, including runway conditions, wildlife activity, FBO/fuel notes, turbulence, ramp access, and local airport tips.

⚠️ Pilot PIREPs on ATIS Alerts are community-submitted airport notes for situational awareness only. They are not official FAA PIREPs, NOTAMs, weather briefings, airport advisories, or flight-planning guidance. Always verify with official FAA/NWS sources, airport management, ATC, and current publications.

No Pilot PIREPs have been submitted for KMDW yet. Recently flew here? Help the next pilot by leaving a quick airport note.

Pilot PIREPs are community pilot notes for situational awareness only, not official FAA PIREPs or advisories. Verify with official sources. Notes are moderated before they appear; helpful marks and reports help us keep them useful.

From the ATIS Alerts team

Why pilots use ATIS Alerts

Free aviation weather and ATIS change alerts for GA pilots, delivered on Telegram, so a change catches your eye before it catches you off guard.

Get pinged the moment KMDW's ATIS letter changes or it drops below VFR.
Live METAR, TAF, D-ATIS, crosswinds, and FAA delays: one link, always current.
Free, no app to install, and you can track any US airport. Unsubscribe anytime.

Get free alerts for KMDW →

⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.

Spotted incorrect airport info? ✏️ Suggest an edit

How ATIS Alerts works · All US airports · Illinois airports

Get free alerts for KMDW