Valdez Pioneer Field (PAVD) Aviation Weather: METAR & TAF
As of 1:56 PM AKDT, Oct 27, PAVD is currently VFR with winds from 130° at 6 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 30,000 ft ceiling.
Live aviation weather for Valdez Pioneer Field in Valdez, AK, including METAR, TAF, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter and runway crosswinds.
Valdez Pioneer Field (PAVD) is a regional airport serving Valdez, AK at a field elevation of 128 ft. PAVD reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF, decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. It has one runway (06/24), the longest 6,500 ft. Automated weather is broadcast on 118.8.
Wind from the southeast (130°) at 6 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, a few clouds at 25,000 ft, broken clouds at 30,000 ft, temperature 10°C (50°F), altimeter 30.51 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR), ceiling 30,000 ft.
METAR PAVD 272156Z 13006KT 10SM FEW250 BKN300 10/M01 A3051 RMK AO2 SLP331 T01001011 $
What changed at PAVD?
Since the 2056Z (12:56 PM AKDT) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.
- Temperature up 3°C.
Current pilot readout for PAVD
PAVD is currently VFR with winds from 130° at 6 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 30,000 ft ceiling. the wind favors east-facing runway ends (06). Density altitude is approximately -1,150 ft (field elevation 128 ft). Review the latest TAF below for forecast changes before departure.
PAVD by the numbers
What the long-run records say about flying here, computed for this airport alone.
PAVD reported VFR in 79% of daylight observations over 20 years, about 241 flyable days a year. October is the most reliable month and August the least, with IFR or worse 13% of the time. When conditions drop it is usually fog and low visibility rather than low ceilings (visibility under 3 miles 7% of hours, ceilings under 1,000 ft 4%).
Over 20 years of hourly winds, runway 06 had the best headwind 61% of the time, runway 24 39%, and winds were calm 49% of hours. Winds most often blow from the east. Crosswind on the best available runway topped 15 kt in 1% of hours.
Snow fell on about 48 days a year and freezing rain or drizzle on 0. From December to February PAVD was IFR or worse 14% of the time, against 8% from June to August.
Fog was reported on about 24 days a year, and fog or mist on 87. January and February are the foggiest months, with fog in 9% of hours, against 3% in May.
Winds were calm 46% of the time and averaged 3.2 kt overall. June is the windiest month (mean 4 kt) and September the calmest.
Sources: hourly observations 2006 to 2025 and the per-runway wind climatology 2006 to 2025. 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.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06FAV | 6,500 ft | ASP | 4 kt head | 5 kt right |
| 24 | 6,500 ft | ASP | 4 kt tail | 5 kt left |
Open the crosswind calculator to try your own wind and runway numbers →
PAVD runways
1 physical runway · 2 runway ends. Each card opens the runway's intelligence page: equipment and lighting, LAHSO, frequencies, today's configuration, predicted use, history and approaches.
- Status not monitoredRunway 06/246,500 × 150 ft · ASPCurrent useno stated-runway source at PAVDWind
- 06
- 4 kt headwind · 5 kt crosswind from right
- 24
- 4 kt tailwind · 5 kt crosswind from left
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→6 kt, ceiling 5,000 ft → 30,000 ft.
PAVD 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 PAVD
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, PAVD reported mostly VFR across 26 observations, with 0 flight-category changes. The lowest ceiling was 5,000 ft. Wind most often came from the SW.
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
Share of hours each runway had the most headwind. From wind reports, not ATC assignments.
- 06
- 69%
- 24
- 31%
TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 1720Z (9:20 AM AKDT)
TAF PAVD 271720Z 2718/2818 VRB04KT P6SM SKC
New to TAFs? How to read one →
Get PAVD weather alerts in Telegram
Stop refreshing aviation weather manually. Track PAVD 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 PAVD free on TelegramLive PAVD Weather
Live crosswind meter
Measured by PAVD's own weather station.
Wind is 49° off runway 06, the end with the most headwind right now.
Asphalt · 6,500 ft. Headings from FAA runway data. Not for navigation.
Field aerial
North up
Runway 06/24 drawn from FAA threshold coordinates.
Imagery: USGS The National Map (public domain). Something off? ✏️ Suggest an edit
Nearby TFRs
Active FAA TFRs near PAVD
FAA TFR data shows an active temporary flight restriction near PAVD.
View all active US TFRs → · Official FAA TFR ↗
Verify with official FAA TFR sources before flight.
Airport info
From the FAA airport record (cycle 2026-10-01) and OurAirports.
Services
- Fuel
- 100LL · Jet A
- Attended
- Jan-Dec Mon - Fri 0600-1830 local; Jan-Dec Sat & Sun 0800-1830 local
- Repairs
- Airframe & engine, minor
- Landing fee
- No
- Other services
- Cargo handling
- Control tower
- None
- Wind indicator
- Lighted
Airport
- Type
- Regional airport
- ICAO
- PAVD
- IATA
- VDZ
- FAA LID
- VDZ
- City
- Valdez
- State
- Alaska
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 128 ft
- Coordinates
- 61.1327, -146.2466
- Runways
- 1 physical runway · 2 runway ends
- Longest runway
- 6,500 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Published
- AWOS/ASOS
- 118.8 MHz
- CTAF
- 122.9 MHz
- Time zone
- America/Anchorage
- Sunset in
- 3h 17m
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed PAVD'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
4 airports25–50 NM
5 airports50–100 NM
8 airports+2 more within 100 NM
Historical Flying Weather at PAVD
2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index
Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, PAVD reported VFR conditions during about 78.8% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 241 VFR flying days a year. October had the most VFR weather; August had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 3.2 kt, calm 45.8% of the time.
Full historical breakdown
Flight category by month
| Month | VFR % | MVFR % | IFR % | LIFR % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 71.2 | 14.0 | 8.6 | 6.3 |
| Feb | 75.0 | 11.4 | 8.4 | 5.3 |
| Mar | 79.9 | 9.4 | 6.5 | 4.2 |
| Apr | 79.1 | 13.0 | 4.2 | 3.7 |
| May | 82.1 | 15.0 | 1.8 | 1.1 |
| Jun | 79.8 | 16.0 | 2.5 | 1.7 |
| Jul | 71.8 | 20.2 | 4.8 | 3.1 |
| Aug | 70.0 | 17.4 | 6.8 | 5.8 |
| Sep | 81.1 | 11.9 | 3.6 | 3.5 |
| Oct | 83.9 | 11.2 | 2.5 | 2.3 |
| Nov | 79.3 | 12.0 | 5.5 | 3.1 |
| Dec | 74.4 | 12.7 | 8.4 | 4.5 |
Average wind by month
| Month | Mean wind (kt) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 3.1 kt |
| Feb | 3.2 kt |
| Mar | 3.9 kt |
| Apr | 2.8 kt |
| May | 3.9 kt |
| Jun | 4.1 kt |
| Jul | 3.3 kt |
| Aug | 2.5 kt |
| Sep | 2.1 kt |
| Oct | 2.5 kt |
| Nov | 4.0 kt |
| Dec | 3.2 kt |
Historical summary of past observations: not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.
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Pilot PIREPs for Valdez Pioneer Field (PAVD)
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 Valdez Pioneer Field, 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 PAVD 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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