Chena River Seaplane Base (2Z5) Area Aviation Weather & Runway Winds
Aviation weather near Chena River Seaplane Base in Fairbanks, AK, decoded from the nearest reporting station (PAFA) — conditions, runway crosswinds, and free Telegram airport alerts.
Chena River Seaplane Base (2Z5) is a seaplane base in Fairbanks, AK. 2Z5 has no weather station of its own — conditions here are decoded from PAFA, about 1 nm away, the nearest reporting station, and local conditions can differ. Its 4 runways (E, N, S, W) — longest 5,000 ft — are checked against the current wind in the crosswind table below. The nearest TAF is issued for PAFA. Track it in the ATIS Alerts Telegram bot to get alerts read from PAFA, the station this page is based on.
No weather station at this airport — showing the nearest station PAFA, 1.1 nm away.
Wind from the southwest (230°) at 5 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, a few clouds at 6,000 ft, a few clouds at 12,000 ft, a few clouds at 20,000 ft, temperature 19°C (66°F), altimeter 29.80 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
METAR PAFA 290353Z 23005KT 10SM FEW060 FEW120 FEW200 19/02 A2980 RMK AO2 SLP096 T01890022
What changed at PAFA (nearest station)?
Since the 0253Z (6:53 PM AKDT) report — compared automatically against the latest METAR.
No significant changes since the 0253Z report — conditions are holding steady.
This is exactly what ATIS Alerts watches for you — get a Telegram message when 2Z5's weather changes, free →
Current pilot readout for 2Z5
Based on the nearest station (PAFA), 2Z5 is currently VFR with winds from 230° at 5 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway E, about 4 knots. Density altitude is approximately 1,150 ft (field elevation 440 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 2Z5 weather alerts in Telegram
Stop refreshing aviation weather manually. Track 2Z5 in ATIS Alerts and get notified when a new METAR changes the picture — a category drop, or wind and ceiling moving toward your minimums.
Track 2Z5 free on TelegramRunway 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 2Z5. This is intended as a planning aid only and should not replace official performance calculations or pilot judgment.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EFAV | 3,000 ft | WATER | 3 kt tail | 4 kt left |
| N | 5,000 ft | WATER | 3 kt tail | 4 kt left |
| S | 5,000 ft | WATER | 3 kt tail | 4 kt left |
| W | 3,000 ft | WATER | 3 kt tail | 4 kt left |
Open the crosswind calculator — try your own wind and runway numbers →
24-hour trend
Wind, ceiling and flight category over the last 24 hours.
Over the last 23 h: wind 4→5 kt, ceiling 14,000 ft → unlimited.
2Z5 weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast — drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
Live weather radar around Chena River Seaplane Base in Fairbanks, AK: 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 2Z5 is headed.
Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © OpenStreetMap © CARTO
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.
Recent aviation weather trends at 2Z5
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, the nearest station PAFA reported mostly VFR across 24 observations, with 0 flight-category changes. The lowest ceiling was 4,500 ft. Wind most often came from the N.
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
- E/N/S/W
- 100%
TAF — Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 2320Z (3:20 PM AKDT)
TAF PAFA 282320Z 2900/3006 VRB03KT P6SM SCT050 SCT200 FM291600 23004KT P6SM SCT200
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 2Z5
We'll message you on Telegram when a new report moves the picture near 2Z5 (Chena River Seaplane Base) — alerts read from PAFA, the station this page uses.
Track 2Z5 on TelegramFree • no app to install • unsubscribe anytime
Airport facts
Reference data from the OurAirports dataset.
- Type
- Seaplane base
- FAA LID
- 2Z5
- City
- Fairbanks
- State
- Alaska
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 440 ft
- Coordinates
- 64.8329, -147.8480
- Runways
- 4
- Longest runway
- 5,000 ft
- Weather reporting
- Nearest station PAFA
- TAF
- Nearest PAFA
- Time zone
- America/Anchorage
- Sunset in
- 2h 34m
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed 2Z5's live status on your website — free →
Nearby airports
Compare nearby METAR/TAF stations within 25, 50 and 100 NM before departure or arrival.
Within 25 NM
8 airports+2 more within 25 NM
25–50 NM
8 airports+2 more within 50 NM
50–100 NM
8 airports+2 more within 100 NM
RC flying fields nearby
AMA model-aircraft club fields around this airport — live wind, crosswind & flyability on each page.
- Midnight Sun RC Inc 1 — North Pole, AK · 11 mi
2Z5 weather — frequently asked
What runways are available at 2Z5?+
2Z5 has 4 runways — E, N, S, W; the longest is 5,000 ft. This page computes the live crosswind for each runway end from the current wind.
Where does the weather shown for 2Z5 come from?+
Chena River Seaplane Base does not have its own weather station. Conditions shown here come from the nearest reporting station, PAFA, about 1 nm away — close enough for situational awareness, but local conditions at 2Z5 can differ.
Does 2Z5 have a TAF?+
Yes — the PAFA TAF is shown on this page below the current conditions.
Does 2Z5 broadcast D-ATIS?+
No — 2Z5 does not broadcast D-ATIS. Alerts for 2Z5 from the ATIS Alerts bot (@atisalerts_bot) are based on its METAR (via the nearest reporting station) instead.
Pilot PIREPs for Chena River Seaplane Base (2Z5)
Community-submittedCommunity-submitted airport notes from pilots about runway conditions, wildlife, FBOs, fuel, turbulence, ramp access, and local tips.
Read recent community-submitted pilot notes for Chena River Seaplane Base, 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 2Z5 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.
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 2Z5 drops below VFR or a new report moves your numbers.
- Live METAR, TAF, crosswinds, and FAA delays — one link, always current.
- Free, no app to install, and you can track any US airport. Unsubscribe anytime.
⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
Spotted incorrect airport info? ✏️ Suggest an edit