Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD)
Washington D.C., United States · North America
By Renzo, CPL
ICAO
KIAD
IATA
IAD
City
Washington D.C.
Country
United States
Region
North America
Elevation
313 ft
Runways
4 runways
Coordinates
38.9531, -77.4565
Overview
International gateway for the DC metro area. United Airlines hub with long runways for all aircraft types.
Current Weather at KIAD
Pilots flying into or out of Washington Dulles 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
SPECI KIAD 210111Z COR 36018G23KT 2SM R01R/2600VP6000FT +TSRA BR SCT023CB BKN075 OVC100 21/20 A3004 RMK AO2 OCNL LTGICCC OHD TS OHD MOV NE P0012 T02110200 $Wind 360° at 18 kt — likely active runway near heading 36
Current TAF
TAF KIAD 210013Z 2100/2206 33004KT P6SM -SHRA VCTS OVC090CB TEMPO 2100/2103 6SM -TSRA OVC040CB FM210300 36004KT P6SM VCSH OVC100 FM210800 01007KT P6SM OVC010 FM211500 02011KT 5SM -SHRA OVC010 FM211700 02009KT 5SM -SHRA OVC008Decode METAR for KIAD
Paste the KIAD 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 Washington Dulles International Airport. Here are the key weather products every pilot should review:
- METARHourly surface observation for KIAD. 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 KIAD. Check for runway closures, taxiway restrictions, and navaid outages.
- PIREPPilot Reports from aircraft near Washington D.C.. Real-world turbulence, icing, and cloud top reports.
- SIG/AIRMETArea forecasts for significant weather, turbulence, and icing that may affect operations around Washington Dulles 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 Washington Dulles International Airport
Radio Frequencies
Always verify current frequencies in the Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD) before flight. Common frequencies for airports like KIAD 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 Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C..
Training Availability
No On-Field Training Reported
Washington Dulles International Airport is primarily a commercial operations airport. Check nearby GA airports for flight training options.
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