Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA) Aviation Weather, METAR, TAF & ATIS Alerts
Live aviation weather for Fairbanks International Airport in Fairbanks, AK, including METAR, TAF, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter, runway crosswinds, and Telegram airport alerts.
Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA) is a regional airport serving Fairbanks, AK at 439 ft. PAFA reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF — decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. Its 8 runways (02, 02L, 02R, 02W) — longest 11,800 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 PAFA in the ATIS Alerts Telegram bot to get a message when a new METAR changes the picture — flight category, wind, or ceiling past your selected minimums.
Wind from the northwest (320°) at 7 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 (67°F), altimeter 29.80 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
METAR PAFA 290153Z 32007KT 10SM FEW060 FEW120 FEW200 19/01 A2980 RMK AO2 SLP098 T01940006
What changed at PAFA?
Since the 0053Z (4:53 PM AKDT) report — compared automatically against the latest METAR.
No significant changes since the 0053Z report — conditions are holding steady.
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Current pilot readout for PAFA
PAFA is currently VFR with winds from 320° at 7 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway 02, about 7 knots. Density altitude is approximately 1,200 ft (field elevation 439 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 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 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 PAFA. This is intended as a planning aid only and should not replace official performance calculations or pilot judgment.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02FAV | 2,900 ft | GRVL | 1 kt head | 7 kt left |
| 02L | 11,800 ft | ASPH-G | 1 kt head | 7 kt left |
| 02R | 4,510 ft | ASPH-G | 1 kt head | 7 kt left |
| 02W | 5,400 ft | WATER | 1 kt head | 7 kt left |
| 20 | 2,900 ft | GRVL | 1 kt tail | 7 kt right |
| 20L | 4,510 ft | ASPH-G | 1 kt tail | 7 kt right |
| 20R | 11,800 ft | ASPH-G | 1 kt tail | 7 kt right |
| 20W | 5,400 ft | WATER | 1 kt tail | 7 kt right |
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 5→7 kt, ceiling 14,000 ft → unlimited.
PAFA weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast — drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
Live weather radar around Fairbanks International Airport 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 PAFA 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.
Pilot reports (PIREPs) within 100 NM of PAFA
Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours — via aviationweather.gov.
Show raw report
FAI UA /OV FAI270015 /TM 2237 /FL060 /TP C208 /TB LGT 000-060 /RM FAI ATCT AKFSS
FAI UAHeader — reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV FAI270015Location — fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 2237Reported at 22:37 UTC.FL060Altitude: 6,000 ft MSL.TP C208Aircraft type reporting.TB LGT 000-060Turbulence: light 0–6,000 ft.RM FAI ATCT AKFSSRemarks.Show raw report
ENN UA /OV Z84-5Z5 /TM 2145 /FL035 /TP C180 /SK OVC038 /WV 00000KT /TB NEG /RM CLOUD LAYER CLOSE TO AK RANGE AKFSS
ENN UAHeader — reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV Z84-5Z5Location — fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 2145Reported at 21:45 UTC.FL035Altitude: 3,500 ft MSL.TP C180Aircraft type reporting.SK OVC038Sky condition — cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.WV 00000KTWind (direction/speed) or wind-shear remarks.TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.RM CLOUD LAYER CLOSE TO AK R…Remarks.⚠️ PIREPs are unverified pilot reports. Not for operational use — conditions change between reports.
Recent aviation weather trends at PAFA
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, 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
- 20/20L/20R/20W
- 60%
- 02/02L/02R/02W
- 40%
TAF — Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 2320Z (3:20 PM AKDT)
TAF PAFA 282320Z 2900/3006 VRB03KT P6SM SCT050 SCT200 FM291600 23004KT P6SM SCT200
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Airport facts
Reference data from the OurAirports dataset.
- 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
- 8
- Longest runway
- 11,800 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Published
- ATIS
- 124.4 MHz
- AWOS/ASOS
- 119.025 MHz
- Time zone
- America/Anchorage
- Sunset in
- 5h 18m
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
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.
The FAA airport diagram for Fairbanks International Airport in Fairbanks, AK shows the runway and taxiway layout across 8 runways, ramp areas, and hold-short positions — review it before taxiing at an unfamiliar field.
Official FAA airport diagram · d-TPP cycle 2608 · Not for navigation. Download the official FAA PDF ↗
PAFA weather — frequently asked
What runways are available at PAFA?+
PAFA has 8 runways — 02, 02L, 02R, 02W, 20, 20L, 20R, 20W; the longest is 11,800 ft. This page computes the live crosswind for each runway end from the current wind.
Does PAFA report its own weather?+
Yes — Fairbanks International Airport has its own weather station and publishes METAR observations, which this page decodes live.
Does PAFA have a TAF?+
Yes — the TAF is shown on this page below the current conditions.
Does PAFA broadcast D-ATIS?+
No — PAFA does not broadcast D-ATIS. Alerts for PAFA from the ATIS Alerts bot (@atisalerts_bot) are based on its METAR instead.
Where can I find the PAFA airport diagram?+
The official FAA airport diagram for Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA) 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 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.
Why pilots use ATIS Alerts
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⚠️ 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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