Chicago O'Hare International Airport (KORD/ORD) is an international airport located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. As one of North America's leading aviation hubs, it serves a wide range of domestic and international routes.
This analysis is based on five years of observational data (METAR) from 2020 to 2024, summarizing the key trends and characteristics of aviation meteorological elements at KORD. It is intended to support more accurate operational decision-making and proactive management of weather-related risks.
Airport Overview
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is located in the state of Illinois, United States, approximately 23km northwest of the city center, at an elevation of approximately 204m (668ft). The airport operates eight runways (RWY 04L/22R, 04R/22L, 09L/27R, 09C/27C, 09R/27L, 10L/28R, 10C/28C, and 10R/28L), making it a large-scale facility capable of handling arrivals and departures in multiple directions.
Wind Direction & Speed
Wind Direction
- Southwesterly winds (210–220°) are the prevailing wind direction on an annual average, a pattern that becomes particularly pronounced from June through February.
- From March to August, northeasterly winds (30°) tend to prevail, while south-southwesterly to west-southwesterly winds (240–260°) are dominant from December to February.
- Crosswind conditions are unlikely to occur throughout the year.
Wind Speed
- Winds of 7–9KT are the most frequently observed throughout the year, followed closely by winds of 4–6KT.
- Strong winds of 13KT or above are observed with a certain frequency year-round, with a tendency to increase particularly in March.
- Gust activity is observed throughout the year, with a relatively higher frequency during March and April.
Precipitation & Thunderstorm
Precipitation
- Rainfall is observed throughout the year, with a tendency to increase during April and May.
- Snowfall is also observed from October through April, with particularly higher frequency during January and February.
Thunderstorm
- Thunderstorm activity is observed throughout the year, with a tendency to increase during June through August.
- Thunderstorms are observed at all hours of the day, with contributing factors including air mass thunderstorms driven by daytime surface heating, as well as frontal thunderstorms associated with the passage of weather fronts.
Visibility & Ceiling
Visibility (VIS)
- Significant low visibility below 800m is relatively rare, with a tendency to occur more frequently in January.
- Low visibility conditions are observed at all hours of the day, with contributing factors including not only fog but also reduced visibility caused by heavy precipitation. ** Ceiling (CIG)**
- Ceiling conditions below 200ft are relatively rare, with a tendency to occur more frequently from December through January.
