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 west-southwest (250°) at 11 kt, gusting 23 kt, visibility 7 statute miles, a few clouds at 3,000 ft, scattered clouds at 4,300 ft, broken clouds at 5,000 ft, temperature 11°C (51°F), altimeter 30.11 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR), ceiling 5,000 ft.
METAR PAFA 122153Z 25011G23KT 7SM FEW030 SCT043 BKN050 11/04 A3011 RMK AO2 RAB17E33 SLP200 P0000 T01060044 $
What changed at PAFA?
Since the 2053Z (12:53 PM AKDT) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.
- Gusts increased from 16 to 23 kt.
- Wind speed up from 5 to 11 kt.
- Visibility moved from 10 SM to 7 SM.
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Current pilot readout for PAFA
PAFA is currently VFR with winds from 250° at 11 knots gusting 23, visibility 7 statute miles, and a 5,000 ft ceiling. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway 02, about 6 knots. Density altitude is approximately -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 →
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Runway 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20FAV | 2,900 ft | GRVL | 9 kt head | 6 kt right (g12) |
| 20L | 4,510 ft | ASPH-G | 9 kt head | 6 kt right (g12) |
| 20R | 11,800 ft | ASPH-G | 9 kt head | 6 kt right (g12) |
| 20W | 5,400 ft | WATER | 9 kt head | 6 kt right (g12) |
| 02 | 2,900 ft | GRVL | 9 kt tail | 6 kt left (g12) |
| 02L | 11,800 ft | ASPH-G | 9 kt tail | 6 kt left (g12) |
| 02R | 4,510 ft | ASPH-G | 9 kt tail | 6 kt left (g12) |
| 02W | 5,400 ft | WATER | 9 kt tail | 6 kt left (g12) |
Open the crosswind calculator to 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 0→11 kt, ceiling 4,200 ft → 5,000 ft.
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 © Stadia Maps © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap
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
PAFA UA /OV FAI315030-FAI315020 /TM 2109 /FL075 /TP C208 /IC LGT-MOD RIME /RM DD 075-055 TEMP M06-M02 BUMPY RIDE PER FAI ATCT AKFSS
PAFA UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV FAI315030-FAI315020Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 2109Reported at 21:09 UTC.FL075Altitude: 7,500 ft MSL.TP C208Aircraft type reporting.IC LGT-MOD RIMEIcing: light to moderate rime.RM DD 075-055 TEMP M06-M02 B…Remarks.Show raw report
FAI UA /OV PAFA /TM 2056 /FL075 /TP C208 /TA M06 /WV 27525KT /TB LGT CHOP /IC LGT RIME /RM AKFSS
FAI UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV PAFALocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 2056Reported at 20:56 UTC.FL075Altitude: 7,500 ft MSL.TP C208Aircraft type reporting.TA M06Outside air temperature, °C.WV 27525KTWind (direction/speed) or wind-shear remarks.TB LGT CHOPTurbulence: light chop.IC LGT RIMEIcing: light rime.RM AKFSSRemarks.Show raw report
FAI UA /OV PAFA300030 /TM 2056 /FL075 /TP C208 /TA M06 /WV 27525KT /TB LGT CHOP /IC LGT RIME /RM COR AKFSS
FAI UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV PAFA300030Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 2056Reported at 20:56 UTC.FL075Altitude: 7,500 ft MSL.TP C208Aircraft type reporting.TA M06Outside air temperature, °C.WV 27525KTWind (direction/speed) or wind-shear remarks.TB LGT CHOPTurbulence: light chop.IC LGT RIMEIcing: light rime.RM COR AKFSSRemarks.Show raw report
ENN UA /OV PANN360015 /TM 2052 /FL060 /TP C208 /TA M02 /IC LGT CLR 060-070 /RM AKFSS
ENN UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV PANN360015Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 2052Reported at 20:52 UTC.FL060Altitude: 6,000 ft MSL.TP C208Aircraft type reporting.TA M02Outside air temperature, °C.IC LGT CLR 060-070Icing: light clear 6,000–7,000 ft.RM AKFSSRemarks.Show raw report
FAI UA /OV PAFA090009 /TM 2005 /FLUNKN /TP PA31 /SK BKN028 /RM DURD FAI ATCT AKFSS
FAI UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV PAFA090009Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 2005Reported at 20:05 UTC.FLUNKNAltitude unknown.TP PA31Aircraft type reporting.SK BKN028Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.RM DURD FAI ATCT AKFSSRemarks.Show raw report
FAI UA /OV PAFA /TM 1840 /FL065 /TP B737 /TB LGT /RM DURD BASES A065 +/- 2 TO 3KTS FAI ATCT AKFSS
FAI UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV PAFALocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1840Reported at 18:40 UTC.FL065Altitude: 6,500 ft MSL.TP B737Aircraft type reporting.TB LGTTurbulence: light.RM DURD BASES A065 +/- 2 TO …Remarks.Show raw report
FAI UA /OV FAI135015 /TM 1746 /FL054 /TP PC12 /RM BASES 054 FAI ATCT AKFSS
FAI UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV FAI135015Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1746Reported at 17:46 UTC.FL054Altitude: 5,400 ft MSL.TP PC12Aircraft type reporting.RM BASES 054 FAI ATCT AKFSSRemarks.Show raw report
FAI UA /OV FAI260020/TM 1735/FL070/TP C208/SK TOP070/TA M04/IC LGT RIME 070/RM ZAN
FAI UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV FAI260020Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1735Reported at 17:35 UTC.FL070Altitude: 7,000 ft MSL.TP C208Aircraft type reporting.SK TOP070Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.TA M04Outside air temperature, °C.IC LGT RIME 070Icing: light rime 070.RM ZANRemarks.⚠️ 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 a mix of conditions, most often marginal VFR across 41 observations, with 16 flight-category changes. The strongest gust reached 26 kt, the lowest ceiling was 900 ft. Wind most often came from the SW.
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
- 20/20L/20R/20W
- 84%
- 02/02L/02R/02W
- 16%
TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 1731Z (9:31 AM AKDT)
TAF PAFA 121731Z 1218/1324 23010KT P6SM VCSH BKN025 OVC060 FM122000 23012G20KT P6SM SCT020 OVC035 FM130300 23008KT P6SM VCSH SCT020 OVC040 TEMPO 1312/1316 5SM -RA SCT010 OVC015 FM131700 23008KT P6SM BKN015 OVC035
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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 56m
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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.
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 2610 · 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.
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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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