Lihue Airport (PHLI) Aviation Weather: METAR, TAF & ATIS
As of 4:19 AM HST, Oct 28, PHLI is currently MVFR with winds from 040° at 7 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 2,400 ft ceiling. The FAA lists no ground stop or delay program for PHLI right now.
Live aviation weather for Lihue Airport in Lihue, Kauai, HI, including METAR, TAF, ATIS, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter and runway crosswinds.
Lihue Airport (PHLI) is one of the primary air-carrier airports serving Lihue, Kauai, HI at a field elevation of 152 ft. PHLI reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF, decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. It has 2 physical runways (03/21, 17/35), the longest 6,500 ft. The official FAA airport diagram is at the bottom of the page.
Wind from the northeast (040°) at 7 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, scattered clouds at 1,700 ft, broken clouds at 2,400 ft, temperature 23°C (74°F), altimeter 29.88 inHg. Conditions are Marginal VFR (MVFR), ceiling 2,400 ft.
SPECI PHLI 281419Z AUTO 04007KT 10SM SCT017 BKN024 23/21 A2988 RMK AO2 T02330206 $
What changed at PHLI?
Since the 1353Z (3:53 AM HST) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.
- Flight category dropped from VFR to MVFR.
- A ceiling formed at 2,400 ft.
The latest report is an off-schedule special (SPECI), issued because conditions changed significantly. What is a SPECI? →
Current pilot readout for PHLI
PHLI is currently MVFR with winds from 040° at 7 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 2,400 ft ceiling. the wind favors northeast-facing runway ends (03). Density altitude is approximately 1,250 ft (field elevation 152 ft). Review the latest TAF below for forecast changes before departure.
PHLI 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 LIH in the 12 months to October 2026. Delays here come from the airlines or from programs at other airports rather than from LIH's own airspace.
PHLI reported VFR in 88% of daylight observations over 20 years, about 262 flyable days a year. September is the most reliable month and April the least, with IFR or worse 1% of the time. When conditions drop it is usually fog and low visibility rather than low ceilings (visibility under 3 miles under 1% of hours, ceilings under 1,000 ft under 1%).
Over 20 years of hourly winds, runway 03 had the best headwind 74% of the time, runway 21 13%, and winds were calm 2% of hours. Winds most often blow from the east-northeast. Crosswind on the best available runway topped 15 kt in under 1% of hours.
Seasonal hazards are rare at PHLI: thunderstorms on about 7 days a year, fog on 3 and snow on 0. Wind is the main variable, with gusts in 7% of hours.
LIH departures left within 15 minutes of schedule 86% of the time across 15,686 flights, June 2025 to May 2026. Before 9 AM departures did best (96%) and 3 to 6 PM did worst (78%).
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.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03FAV | 6,500 ft | ASP | 7 kt head | 1 kt left |
| 35 | 6,500 ft | ASP | 5 kt head | 4 kt right |
| 17 | 6,500 ft | ASP | 5 kt tail | 4 kt left |
| 21 | 6,500 ft | ASP | 7 kt tail | 1 kt right |
Open the crosswind calculator to try your own wind and runway numbers →
PHLI runways
2 physical runways · 4 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 03/216,500 × 150 ft · ASPCurrent useno stated-runway source at PHLIWind
- 03
- 7 kt headwind · 1 kt crosswind from left
- 21
- 7 kt tailwind · 1 kt crosswind from right
1 active equipment NOTAMView Runway Intelligence → - Restricted (NOTAM)Runway 17/356,500 × 150 ft · ASPCurrent useno stated-runway source at PHLIWind
- 17
- 5 kt tailwind · 4 kt crosswind from left
- 35
- 5 kt headwind · 4 kt crosswind from right
1 active equipment NOTAMView 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 22 h: wind 6→7 kt, ceiling unlimited → 2,400 ft.
PHLI 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.
Pilot reports (PIREPs) within 100 NM of PHLI
Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours, via aviationweather.gov.
Show raw report
HNL UA /OV 20 ESE/TM 1314/FL047/TP C208/TB SMOOTH/RM A OT OF PRECIP
HNL UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV 20 ESELocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1314Reported at 13:14 UTC.FL047Altitude: 4,700 ft MSL.TP C208Aircraft type reporting.TB SMOOTHTurbulence: smooth.RM A OT OF PRECIPRemarks.Show raw report
HNL UA /OV 40 SE/TM 1312/FL050/TP B734/TB OCCL MOD DURD 160 THROUGH 050
HNL UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV 40 SELocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1312Reported at 13:12 UTC.FL050Altitude: 5,000 ft MSL.TP B734Aircraft type reporting.TB OCCL MOD DURD 160 THROUGH…Turbulence: occl moderate durd 160 through 050.Show raw report
HNL UA /OV 30E/TM 1230/FL120/TP B737/RM SO FAR SO GOOD THE RIDE NO BUMPS
HNL UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV 30ELocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1230Reported at 12:30 UTC.FL120Altitude: 12,000 ft MSL.TP B737Aircraft type reporting.RM SO FAR SO GOOD THE RIDE N…Remarks.Show raw report
HNL UA /OV 25ESE/TM 1120/FL150/TP B737/TB MOD TURB 040 THRU 110
HNL UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV 25ESELocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1120Reported at 11:20 UTC.FL150Altitude: 15,000 ft MSL.TP B737Aircraft type reporting.TB MOD TURB 040 THRU 110Turbulence: moderate turb 040 thru 110.Show raw report
LIH UA /OV SOK110025/TM 0918/FL080/TP B712/TB LGT TURB
LIH UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV SOK110025Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 0918Reported at 09:18 UTC.FL080Altitude: 8,000 ft MSL.TP B712Aircraft type reporting.TB LGT TURBTurbulence: light turb.⚠️ PIREPs are unverified pilot reports. Not for operational use: conditions change between reports.
Recent aviation weather trends at PHLI
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, PHLI reported mostly VFR across 33 observations, with 13 flight-category changes. The lowest ceiling was 1,400 ft. Wind most often came from the E.
Most recent change: VFR → MVFR
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
Share of hours each runway had the most headwind. From wind reports, not ATC assignments.
- 03
- 71%
- 17
- 14%
- 21
- 8%
- 35
- 7%
TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 1136Z (1:36 AM HST)
TAF PHLI 281136Z 2812/2912 03007KT 6SM -SHRA BKN030 OVC060 FM281400 03008KT P6SM VCSH BKN025 OVC050 FM282100 04012G18KT P6SM VCSH SCT025 SCT045 FM290500 03010KT P6SM VCSH SCT025 SCT045
New to TAFs? How to read one →
Get PHLI weather alerts in Telegram
Stop refreshing aviation weather manually. Track PHLI 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 PHLI free on TelegramLive PHLI Weather
Live crosswind meter
Measured by PHLI's own weather station.
Wind is 5° off runway 03, 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 03/21, 17/35 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
- 100 (green) · Jet A
- Attended
- Daily 0500-0000 local
- Repairs
- Airframe & engine, minor
- Transient parking
- Tie-downs
- Landing fee
- No
- Other services
- Air freight · Crop dusting · Cargo handling · Charter
- Control tower
- Yes
- Wind indicator
- Lighted
Airport
- Type
- Large airport
- ICAO
- PHLI
- IATA
- LIH
- FAA LID
- LIH
- City
- Lihue, Kauai
- State
- Hawaii
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 152 ft
- Coordinates
- 21.9744, -159.3371
- Runways
- 2 physical runways · 4 runway ends
- Longest runway
- 6,500 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Published
- ATIS
- 127.2 MHz
- CTAF
- 118.9 MHz
- Time zone
- Pacific/Honolulu
- Next sunset
- 13h 11m
Is there a ground stop at LIH today? Delay status and history →
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed PHLI'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
6 airports50–100 NM
5 airportsRC flying fields nearby
AMA model-aircraft club fields around this airport: live wind, crosswind & flyability on each page.
- Radio Control Club of Kauai - Waimea Athletic Field , Waimea, HI · 22 mi
- Radio Control Club of Kauai - Kauai Raceway Park , Kauai, HI · 26 mi
Historical Flying Weather at PHLI
2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index
Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, PHLI reported VFR conditions during about 88.2% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 262 VFR flying days a year. September had the most VFR weather; April had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 11.1 kt, calm 1.3% of the time.
Full historical breakdown
Flight category by month
| Month | VFR % | MVFR % | IFR % | LIFR % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 87.8 | 11.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Feb | 85.3 | 13.7 | 0.9 | 0.1 |
| Mar | 83.4 | 15.2 | 1.3 | 0.1 |
| Apr | 81.2 | 18.0 | 0.8 | 0.1 |
| May | 85.8 | 13.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 85.4 | 14.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 85.1 | 14.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 87.0 | 12.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 88.2 | 11.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Oct | 87.4 | 12.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Nov | 87.1 | 12.1 | 0.8 | 0.1 |
| Dec | 84.3 | 14.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 |
Average wind by month
| Month | Mean wind (kt) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 9.8 kt |
| Feb | 10.7 kt |
| Mar | 11.4 kt |
| Apr | 11.7 kt |
| May | 10.8 kt |
| Jun | 11.7 kt |
| Jul | 12.3 kt |
| Aug | 11.8 kt |
| Sep | 10.8 kt |
| Oct | 10.1 kt |
| Nov | 11.2 kt |
| Dec | 10.6 kt |
Historical summary of past observations: not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.
PHLI 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 LIH shirt or mug
LIH's real runway layout on the back, elevation and tower frequency on the front. Add your tail number on the sleeve.
Pilot PIREPs for Lihue Airport (PHLI)
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 Lihue 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 PHLI 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.
Spotted incorrect airport info? ✏️ Suggest an edit