Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA) Aviation Weather: METAR, TAF & ATIS
As of 5:53 AM AKDT, Oct 28, PAFA is currently VFR with calm winds, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported. The FAA lists no ground stop or delay program for PAFA right now.
Live aviation weather for Fairbanks International Airport in Fairbanks, AK, including METAR, TAF, ATIS, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter and runway crosswinds.
Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA) is a regional airport serving Fairbanks, AK at a field elevation of 439 ft. PAFA reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF, decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. It has 5 physical runways (02/20, 02L/20R, 02R/20L, 02W, 20W), the longest 11,800 ft. The official FAA airport diagram is at the bottom of the page.
Wind calm, visibility 10+ statute miles, no cloud data, temperature -6°C (22°F), altimeter 30.26 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
METAR PAFA 281353Z 00000KT 10SM CLR M06/M06 A3026 RMK AO2 SLP256 T10561056 $
What changed at PAFA?
Since the 1253Z (4:53 AM AKDT) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.
- Pressure falling: altimeter 30.28 → 30.26 inHg.
Current pilot readout for PAFA
PAFA is currently VFR with calm winds, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported. Density altitude is approximately -2,350 ft (field elevation 439 ft). Review the latest TAF below for forecast changes before departure.
PAFA by the numbers
What the long-run records say about flying here, computed for this airport alone.
The FAA issued no ground stop or ground delay program for FAI in the 12 months to October 2026. Delays here come from the airlines or from programs at other airports rather than from FAI's own airspace.
PAFA reported VFR in 87% of daylight observations over 20 years, about 243 flyable days a year. May is the most reliable month and November the least, with IFR or worse 11% of the time. When conditions drop it is usually fog and low visibility rather than low ceilings (visibility under 3 miles 5% of hours, ceilings under 1,000 ft 2%).
Over 20 years of hourly winds, the northeast-facing ends (02, 02L, 02R) had the best headwind 62% of the time, the southwest-facing ends (20, 20L, 20R) 38%, and winds were calm 44% of hours. Winds most often blow from the northeast. Crosswind on the best available runway topped 15 kt in under 1% of hours.
Snow fell on about 102 days a year and freezing rain or drizzle on 4. From December to February PAFA was IFR or worse 9% of the time, against 4% from June to August.
FAI departures left within 15 minutes of schedule 84% of the time across 4,157 flights, June 2025 to May 2026. Before 9 AM departures did best (93%) and 3 to 6 PM did worst (74%).
Fog was reported on about 41 days a year, and fog or mist on 124. January and November are the foggiest months, with fog in 20% of hours, against 2% in May.
Sources: FAA ATCSCC advisories, hourly observations 2006 to 2025, the per-runway wind climatology 2006 to 2025 and BTS airline on-time data. Historical summaries, not a forecast: check the current METAR, TAF and a briefing before flight.
New to aviation weather? How to read a METAR → · What VFR/MVFR/IFR mean → · Decode any METAR/TAF → · Density altitude calculator →
Runway wind check
Estimated head/tailwind and crosswind for each runway end from the current reported wind.
Current wind is calm: calm wind is not a factor for runway selection, and with no wind there is no head/tail or crosswind component to compute. Live numbers return automatically once a report includes a wind direction.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | 2,900 ft | GRVL | - | - |
| 02L | 11,800 ft | ASPH-G | - | - |
| 02R | 4,510 ft | ASPH-G | - | - |
| 02W | 5,400 ft | WATER | - | - |
| 20 | 2,900 ft | GRVL | - | - |
| 20L | 4,510 ft | ASPH-G | - | - |
| 20R | 11,800 ft | ASPH-G | - | - |
| 20W | 5,400 ft | WATER | - | - |
Open the crosswind calculator to try your own wind and runway numbers →
PAFA runways
5 physical runways · 8 runway ends. Each card opens the runway's intelligence page: equipment and lighting, LAHSO, frequencies, today's configuration, predicted use, history and approaches.
- Restricted (NOTAM)Runway 02/202,900 × 75 ft · GRVLCurrent useno stated-runway source at PAFAWind
- 02
- no steady wind
- 20
- no steady wind
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence → - Restricted (NOTAM)Runway 02L/20R11,800 × 150 ft · ASPH-GCurrent useno stated-runway source at PAFAWind
- 02L
- no steady wind
- 20R
- no steady wind
2 active equipment NOTAMsView Runway Intelligence → - Restricted (NOTAM)Runway 02R/20L4,510 × 75 ft · ASPH-GCurrent useno stated-runway source at PAFAWind
- 02R
- no steady wind
- 20L
- no steady wind
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence →
“Current use” is what the facilitystates; wind components are arithmetic on the current METAR against TRUE headings; status reflects NOTAMs received through SWIM, the tower's TFDM record and the D-ATIS — a runway reads “Open” only with a complete NOTAM picture.
24-hour trend
Wind, ceiling and flight category over the last 24 hours.
Over the last 23 h: wind 0→0 kt, ceiling 1,500 ft → unlimited.
PAFA weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast. Drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © Stadia Maps © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap
NOAA NEXRAD composite and lightning, updated about every five minutes; amber frames are HRRR model guidance, not observed radar. Not for navigation.
Recent aviation weather trends at PAFA
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, PAFA reported a mix of conditions, most often VFR across 33 observations, with 4 flight-category changes. The lowest ceiling was 200 ft. Wind most often came from the N.
Most recent change: LIFR → VFR
Most recent change: LIFR → VFR
Share of hours each runway had the most headwind. From wind reports, not ATC assignments.
- 02/02L/02R/02W
- 69%
- 20/20L/20R/20W
- 31%
TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 1137Z (3:37 AM AKDT)
TAF PAFA 281137Z 2812/2918 05004KT P6SM SKC FM291200 08004KT 5SM -SHRASN BR BKN015 OVC030
New to TAFs? How to read one →
Get PAFA weather alerts in Telegram
Stop refreshing aviation weather manually. Track PAFA 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 PAFA free on TelegramLive PAFA Weather
Live crosswind meter
Measured by PAFA's own weather station.
Wind is calm or variable. Either end works.
Asphalt · 11,800 ft. Headings from FAA runway data. Not for navigation.
Field aerial
North up
Runway 02/20, 02L/20R, 02R/20L drawn from FAA threshold coordinates.
Imagery: USGS The National Map (public domain). Something off? ✏️ Suggest an edit
Airport info
From the FAA airport record (cycle 2026-10-01) and OurAirports.
Services
- Fuel
- 100LL · Jet A-1
- Attended
- 24 hours
- Repairs
- Airframe & engine, major
- Oxygen
- Bulk, high & low pressure
- Transient parking
- Hangars
- Landing fee
- Yes
- Other services
- Cargo handling
- Control tower
- Yes
- Wind indicator
- Lighted
Airport
- Type
- Regional airport
- ICAO
- PAFA
- IATA
- FAI
- FAA LID
- FAI
- City
- Fairbanks
- State
- Alaska
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 439 ft
- Coordinates
- 64.8151, -147.8560
- Runways
- 5 physical runways · 8 runway ends
- Longest runway
- 11,800 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Published
- ATIS
- 124.4 MHz
- AWOS/ASOS
- 119.025 MHz
- Time zone
- America/Anchorage
- Next sunset
- 11h 39m
Is there a ground stop at FAI today? Delay status and history →
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed PAFA'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
9 airports+3 more within 50 NM
50–100 NM
7 airports+1 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
Historical Flying Weather at PAFA
2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index
Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, PAFA reported VFR conditions during about 86.8% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 243 VFR flying days a year. May had the most VFR weather; November had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 3.3 kt, calm 40.1% of the time.
Full historical breakdown
Flight category by month
| Month | VFR % | MVFR % | IFR % | LIFR % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 77.5 | 12.6 | 5.7 | 4.2 |
| Feb | 81.3 | 9.9 | 6.4 | 2.4 |
| Mar | 89.5 | 6.7 | 3.3 | 0.6 |
| Apr | 92.7 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 0.5 |
| May | 96.5 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Jun | 91.8 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 0.4 |
| Jul | 86.5 | 9.3 | 3.5 | 0.7 |
| Aug | 85.2 | 9.6 | 3.6 | 1.6 |
| Sep | 85.5 | 10.0 | 2.4 | 2.2 |
| Oct | 76.6 | 14.1 | 5.9 | 3.5 |
| Nov | 75.7 | 13.7 | 8.5 | 2.1 |
| Dec | 77.1 | 13.2 | 6.8 | 2.9 |
Average wind by month
| Month | Mean wind (kt) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 1.8 kt |
| Feb | 2.4 kt |
| Mar | 3.6 kt |
| Apr | 4.6 kt |
| May | 4.9 kt |
| Jun | 4.2 kt |
| Jul | 3.8 kt |
| Aug | 3.5 kt |
| Sep | 3.4 kt |
| Oct | 3.0 kt |
| Nov | 2.1 kt |
| Dec | 2.0 kt |
Historical summary of past observations: not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.
PAFA airport diagram
Official FAA taxiway and runway layout. Tap to zoom.
Official FAA airport diagram · d-TPP cycle 2611 · Not for navigation. Download the official FAA PDF ↗
Customize your FAI shirt or mug
FAI's real runway layout on the back, elevation and tower frequency on the front. Add your tail number on the sleeve.
Pilot PIREPs for Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA)
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 Fairbanks 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 PAFA 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.
⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
No D-ATIS at this airport, showing METAR.
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