WxDecoder

PAFA/FAI METAR & TAF Fairbanks International Airport

Fairbanks, AlaskaElevation 439 ftMedium airport
CURRENT STATUS
MVFR52 min old
Ceiling 4,000 ft, visibility 3 SM, snow.
FLIGHT CATEGORY
MVFR
ceiling & visibility
WIND
Calm
no steady wind
VISIBILITY
3 SM
4.8 km
CEILING
4,000 ft
lowest BKN/OVC
DENSITY ALT
-1,291 ft
-1,730 ft vs field
ACTIVE NWS ALERTS

Active weather alerts

Winter Weather AdvisoryModerate · Expected · Likely
25 1951Z to 27 0600Z
Delta Junction; Tanana Flats; Eielson AFB and Salcha; Goldstream Valley and Nenana Hills; Chatanika River Valley; Two Rivers; Fairbanks Metro Area
* WHAT...Wintry mix. Total snow accumulations up to two inches. * WHERE...Chatanika River Valley, Delta Junction, Eielson AFB, Salcha, Fairbanks Metro Area, Goldstream Valley, Nenana Hills, Tanana Flats, and Two Rivers. * WHEN...Until 10 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Multiple front…
Slow down and use caution while traveling. Visit 511.alaska.gov or call 5 1 1 for the latest road conditions.

Alerts from the National Weather Service. For situational awareness only; always confirm against an official briefing.

CURRENT METAR

Decoded observation

Observed 0053Z (4:53 PM local) · 52 min old

PAFA is currently MVFR. Winds are calm. Visibility is 3 statute miles. The ceiling is 4,000 feet AGL. Reported weather: light snow, mist. The main issue is snow reported.

WIND
Calm
No steady wind.
VISIBILITY
3 statute miles
4.8 km, reduced (MVFR).
CEILING & SKY
Ceiling 4,000 ft
Lowest broken or overcast layer.
TEMP / DEWPOINT
1°C / -1°C
34°F / 30°F. 2°C spread.
ALTIMETER
30.09 inHg
1019 hPa, above standard.
WEATHER & HAZARDS
SN, BR, LOW VIS
Snow reported.

Codes in this report: BR BKN OVC RMK AO2

Hover or tap any group for a plain-English explanation.

REMARKS: DECODED
AO2
automated station with a precipitation discriminator (can tell rain from snow)
SNB42
snow began at :42 past the hour
SLP197
sea-level pressure 1019.7 hPa
P0000
0.00 inches of precipitation in the last hour
T00061011
precise temperature 0.6°C, dew point -1.1°C
$
station needs maintenance
TERMINAL AERODROME FORECAST

TAF timeline

Issued 0041Z (4:41 PM local) · valid to 0600Z (10:00 PM local)

PAFA forecast starts VFR at 01Z. Worst period is 18Z to 06Z with IFR possible (LOW VIS). Best period is 04Z to 04Z (VFR). Overall the forecast deteriorates over the period.

OVC0404,000 ft
OVC0404,000 ft
OVC0404,000 ft
OVC0252,500 ft · 4 SM
OVC0151,500 ft · 2 SM
0100Z5:00 PM0648Z10:48 PM1236Z4:36 AM1824Z10:24 AM0012Z4:12 PM0600Z10:00 PM

Codes in this report: SCT OVC TEMPO BR P6SM

Tap any group to decode it.

FAA: no delays reported at FAI.

Source: FAA System Operations (ASWS). Operational status only; verify with official FAA sources and NOTAMs.

SUGGESTED RISK · TRAINING USE

Suggested risk level: High

›Conditions are MVFR.
›Snow reported.
›Mist reported.

A suggested risk level for training and situational awareness only, not a go/no-go authority. Verify with official sources and apply your personal minimums.

FORECAST & PILOT NOTES · SUPPLEMENTAL

Extended forecast and pilot notes

Current aviation conditions show flight category MVFR, wind calm, visibility 3 SM, ceiling 4,000 ft. Forecast suggests this afternoon rain and snow, high near 35F, low near 30F, 76% chance of precipitation. Key risks: no significant hazards are highlighted right now, but always confirm against an official briefing.

DayConditionsTemp FWindGustsPrecipPilot note
This Afternoon Rain And Snow 35/30 0 kt – 76%
Monday Light Snow 39/33 S 13 kt – 90%
Tuesday Light Rain 38/22 SE 4 kt – 84%
Wednesday Partly Sunny 33/27 NE 4 kt – 24%
Thursday Slight Chance Light Snow 35/31 E 9 kt – 44%
Friday Chance Rain And Snow 36/26 E 4 kt – 44%
Saturday Chance Light Snow 33/22 E 4 kt – 31%

Source: National Weather Service (office AFG). Forecast issued 0145Z.

OUR HEADSET PICK · NOT SPONSORED

DC

David Clark DC ONE-X

Not sponsored, just the headset we'd buy ourselves: the DC ONE-X, with hybrid noise canceling, Bluetooth, and 30+ hour battery. And David Clark's A+ customer service is the real reason we recommend them.

Visit David Clark
RUNWAYS & WIND
4 runways · crosswind ranking
NESW02L20R022002R20L02W20WCALMCALMCALMCALMCALM
WIND USED
Wind calm or variable
Crosswind ranking is unavailable until the wind has a steady direction.
Components are estimates from the current METAR wind and runway heading. Verify with the Chart Supplement and NOTAMs.
RUNWAYS

Runway detail & declared distances

4 runways · longest 11,800 ft

02L/20R
Dimensions
11,800 x 150 ft
Surface
Asphalt (good)
Edge lights
HIGH
RWY 02L38°T
Landing length (LDA)11,050 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA11,800 / 12,800 / 11,800 ft
Displaced threshold750 ft
ILSILS/DME
Approach lightsALSF2
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternLeft
RWY 20R218°T
Landing length (LDA)11,050 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA11,800 / 12,800 / 11,800 ft
Displaced threshold750 ft
ILSILS/DME
Approach lightsMALSR
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternLeft
02/20
Dimensions
2,900 x 75 ft
Surface
Gravel
RWY 0238°T
RWY 20218°T
02R/20L
Dimensions
4,510 x 75 ft
Surface
Asphalt (good)
Edge lights
MED
RWY 02R38°T
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternRight
RWY 20L218°T
REILYes
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
02W/20W
Dimensions
5,400 x 100 ft
Surface
Water
RWY 02W38°T
Traffic patternLeft
RWY 20W218°T
Traffic patternLeft

Runway data from the FAA NASR dataset (effective 2026-06-11). Verify with the current Chart Supplement and NOTAMs.

FIELD CONDITIONS

Performance & density altitude

Density altitude
-1,291 ft
Pressure altitude
269 ft
Field elevation
439 ft MSL
Temperature
1°C (34°F)
Dewpoint
-1°C (30°F)
Altimeter
30.09 inHg

Density altitude estimates how the aircraft performs versus standard atmosphere. Higher density altitude reduces climb performance and increases takeoff distance.

DAYLIGHT & NIGHT

Sun & logging windows

Sunset
0153Z 5:53 PM
Sunrise
1718Z 9:18 AM
Loggable night
0246Z (6:46 PM local) → 1626Z (8:26 AM local)
end of evening to start of morning civil twilight
Position lights required
0153Z (5:53 PM local) → 1718Z (9:18 AM local)
sunset to sunrise (91.209)
Night passenger currency
0253Z (6:53 PM local) → 1618Z (8:18 AM local)
1 hr after sunset to 1 hr before sunrise (61.57(b))

FAA definitions, shown in Zulu with airport-local time. Verify for your operation.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

Facility & services

Fairbanks International Airport is in Fairbanks, Alaska. Field elevation 439 ft MSL. Airport facts are drawn from OurAirports and the FAA NASR dataset.

OPERATIONS & CONTACT
OwnershipPublicly owned
UseOpen to the public
TypeMedium airport
Airline serviceYes
ManagerANGIE SPEAR
Manager phone907-474-2500
AttendedContinuous (24 hours)
CHARTS & AIRSPACE
ICAO / IATAPAFA / FAI
SectionalFAIRBANKS
Center (ARTCC)ANCHORAGE
Flight service (AFSS)FAIRBANKS
RegionAlaska
CountryUnited States
Coordinates64.8151, -147.8560
Distance from city3 NM SW
SERVICES & LIGHTING
Fuel100LL · Jet A-1
Control towerTowered
BeaconSunset to sunrise · White-green (lighted land airport)
FREQUENCIES

Communications

118.6
APP
APP
119.025
ASOS
ASOS
124.4
ATIS
ATIS
108.2
TWEB
AWOS
127.6
CLNC DEL
CLD
32.71
DEP
DEP
122.6
RDO
FSS
121.9
GND
GND
125.3
EIELSON RANGE CON
MISC
118.3
TWR
TWR
122.95
UNICOM
UNIC

Not all tower/ground/approach frequencies are in our datasets. Verify with the FAA Chart Supplement.

AIRCRAFT ACTIVITY

PAFA traffic patterns

2026-06-12 to 2026-10-23, 70 days observed · data 2026-10-23

High confidence
TRAFFIC VOLUME (30-DAY)
AVG LANDINGS/DAY
80.3
AVG OPS/DAY
104.8
Activity trend over 18 days: rising, from 115 to 116 operations per dayOperations trend (18 days)

Busiest day: Tue · Busiest month: Jul

FLEET MIX
Turboprop 32%Unknown 28%Airliner 20%Piston single 16%Jet 2%Twin 1%

Mostly turboprop aircraft.

TOP AIRCRAFT TYPES
›C208 (Turboprop) · ~523 landings/mo
›C172 (Piston single) · ~271 landings/mo
›PA31 (Unknown) · ~240 landings/mo
›PC12 (Turboprop) · ~99 landings/mo
›B738 (Airliner) · ~91 landings/mo
LIKELY BASED AIRCRAFT
Low-confidence estimate

Aircraft likely based near this airport (estimate), mostly turboprop aircraft.

›C208 (Turboprop)
›C172 (Piston single)
›PA31 (Unknown)
›BE20 (Turboprop)
›T206 (Unknown)

This is an estimate based on repeated flight patterns, not registration data. Do not rely on it to identify specific aircraft or owners.

Data limitations (4)
›ADS-B coverage is incomplete; counts are an observed lower bound, not official totals.
›Some aircraft do not transmit usable ADS-B and are not counted.
›Aircraft types and based estimates are inferred and may be wrong.
›This is not official ATC, FAA, or airport data.
NEARBY AIRPORTS

Weather reference stations

Current flight category at nearby reporting stations.

PAFB Ladd Army Airfield
6 NM E
MVFR
PAEI Eielson Air Force Base
21 NM SE
VFR
PANN Nenana Municipal Airport
35 NM SW
VFR
PAIN Denali National Park Airport
71 NM SW
VFR
PABI Allen Army Airfield
74 NM SE
VFR
PACE Central Airport
90 NM NE
VFR
AIRPORT REMARKS

Operational remarks

›NOT AVBL FOR PART 121/PART 380 OPS WITH SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 9 PAX SEATS & NON-SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 30 PAX SEATS. SUMMER & SKI STRIP WINTER USE; AVBL LCL NOTAM & ATCT BFR ARR OR DEP.
›UNUSBL BYD 8 DEGS RIGHT OF CNTRLN.
›ALASKA INTL SYS.
›BIRDS INVOF SPRING - FALL.
›CTN: SN REMOVAL EQUIP 1 OCT 1 - MAY 15.
›MIL CONTR FUEL AVBL.
›NOT AVBL FOR PART 121/PART 380 OPS WITH SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 9 PAX SEATS & NON-SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 30 PAX SEATS.
›PCR VALUE: 46/F/B/X/T
›NOT AVBL FOR PART 121/PART 380 OPS WITH SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 9 PAX SEATS & NON-SKED PAX CARRYING OPS MORE THAN 30 PAX SEATS. CTLD; APREQ - ATCT 118.3. CTC CD ASAP AFT ENG START. FROZEN IN WINTER; SFC UNMNT. THR BUOYS 500 FT FM N & S SHORE MARK WATERLANE. STEP TAX OUTSIDE OF WATERLANE NA. E OF WATERLANE UNCTLD; TAX AT PILOT DISCRETION.
›TWY B SCTY GATE - ACTVT 121.75 OR 907-451-2300.
›RWY 02R/20L IS LIMITED FOR USE BY ACFT DESIGN GROUP B II, ACFT OR SMALLER.
›ATCT 538 MS ATCT 64 48 39.438 N 147 50 55.722 W.
›NWS WEATHER BALLOON LAUNCH SITE 2000 FEET WEST OF MIDFIELD RUNWAY 02L/20R. LAUNCHES ARE TWICE DAILY AT 1100 AND 2300 HOURS UTC.
›SEE ADDITIONAL PAGES UNDER NOTICES FOR TRSA AND FAIRBANKS AREA INFORMATION.
›COMPASS ROSE CLBR NA.
›PPR MIL OPS HVY CARGO OR TRML APN - APRT OPS.
›TFC PAT ALT (SINGLE ENGINE RECIPROCATING ACFT) 1500 FT MSL. TFC PAT ALT (ALL MULTI-ENGINE, LARGE AND TURBINE-POWERED ACFT) 2000 FT MSL.
›PCR VALUE: 780/F/B/X/T
›COLD TEMPERATURE AIRPORT. ALTITUDE CORRECTION REQUIRED AT OR BELOW -29C.
›TSNT PRKG WINGSPAN LESS THAN 79 FT E RAMP. TSNT PRKG W RAMP NA. LTD TSNT FLOAT PLANE PRKG - 907-455-4571. MEDIVAC & TSNT HEL PRKG OR INFO - 907-451-2300.
›WX CAMERA AVBL ON INTERNET AT HTTPS://WEATHERCAMS.FAA.GOV.
›CTN: AVOID LNDG ON TWY; N/S TWY PARL TO RWY 02L/20R W SIDE.
›NOISE ABATEMENT PROC IN EFCT 2200-0800; LRG, TURBINE & HVY ARR RWY 02L; DEP RWY 20R BASED ON WIND. ENG RUNUP LCT - ARPT OPS.
›OPS IN MOAS E OF FAIRBANKS - EIELSON RANGE CTL 125.3/126.3 OR 1-800-758-8723.
OFFICIAL LINKS & SOURCES
↗Official METAR on AviationWeather.gov
↗Search NOTAMs (official FAA NOTAM Search)
↗Wikipedia
↗PAFA on OurAirports
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Does PAFA have a METAR?
Yes. PAFA has a current METAR observation, decoded into plain English on this page.
Does PAFA have a TAF?
Yes, a TAF is issued for PAFA; the decoded forecast timeline is shown above.
What is the field elevation at PAFA?
PAFA sits at 439 ft MSL, which factors into the density-altitude estimate on this page.
Is this an official preflight weather briefing for PAFA?
No. wxdecoder.com is for education and situational awareness only. It is not an official weather briefing or a substitute for official sources, NOTAM review, and pilot judgment.
This app is for aviation weather education, training, and situational awareness only. It is not a substitute for an official weather briefing, approved flight-planning software, flight service, dispatch procedures, current FAA regulations, or pilot judgment. Always verify weather with official sources before flight.