PHLI/LIH METAR & TAF Lihue Airport
Lihue, Kauai, HawaiiElevation 153 ftLarge airport
CURRENT STATUS
VFR54 min old
No ceiling, visibility 10 SM.
FLIGHT CATEGORY
VFR
ceiling & visibility
WIND
040@11
steady
VISIBILITY
10 SM
16.1 km
CEILING
None
no BKN/OVC layer
DENSITY ALT
1,555 ft
+1,402 ft vs field
ACTIVE NWS ALERTS
Active weather alerts
Hydrologic Outlook
25 1413Z to 26 1615Z
Hawaii in Hawaii, HI; Oahu in Honolulu, HI; Kauai, HI; Maui, HI
ESFHFO
A significant pattern change is expected Monday night through at
least Thursday as deep tropical moisture is brought north. A
combination of surface lows and troughs will bring exceptionally
moist air over the eastern end of the state beginning Monday night
and extending to all islands Tuesday. Heavy rain and thunderstorms
are possible throughout this period. Models have not converged on
d…
Hydrologic Outlook
25 1357Z to 26 1600Z
Hawaii in Hawaii, HI; Oahu in Honolulu, HI; Kauai, HI; Maui, HI
ESFHFO
A significant pattern change is expected Monday night through at
least Thursday as deep tropical moisture is brought north. A
combination of surface lows and troughs will bring exceptionally
moist air over the eastern end of the state beginning Monday night
and extending to all islands Tuesday. Heavy rain and thunderstorms
are possible throughout this period. Models have not converged on
d…
Alerts from the National Weather Service. For situational awareness only; always confirm against an official briefing.
CURRENT METAR
Decoded observation
PHLI is currently VFR. Winds are from the northeast at 11 knots. Visibility is 10 statute miles. There is no ceiling.
WIND
40° at 11 kt
Steady.
VISIBILITY
10 statute miles
16.1 km, good.
CEILING & SKY
CLR
FEW and SCT layers are not ceilings.
TEMP / DEWPOINT
27°C / 18°C
81°F / 64°F. 9°C spread.
ALTIMETER
29.98 inHg
1015.2 hPa, near standard.
WEATHER & HAZARDS
No significant hazards
No precipitation or obscuration reported.
REMARKS: DECODED
AO2
automated station with a precipitation discriminator (can tell rain from snow)
SLP149
sea-level pressure 1014.9 hPa
T02720183
precise temperature 27.2°C, dew point 18.3°C
58000
3-hour pressure tendency: falling quickly (0.0 hPa change)
$
station needs maintenance
TERMINAL AERODROME FORECAST
TAF timeline
PHLI forecast starts VFR at 18Z. Conditions are roughly steady over the period.
1800Z8:00 AM2248Z12:48 PM0336Z5:36 PM0824Z10:24 PM1312Z3:12 AM1800Z8:00 AM
FAA: no delays reported at LIH.
Source: FAA System Operations (ASWS). Operational status only; verify with official FAA sources and NOTAMs.
SUGGESTED RISK · TRAINING USE
Suggested risk level: Low
›No significant weather concerns in the current report.
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 VFR, wind from 40° at 11 kt, visibility 10 SM, ceiling none. Forecast suggests today isolated rain showers, high near 81F, low near 70F, 24% chance of precipitation. Key risks: thunderstorms in the forecast. Note: the NWS forecast for now reads "Isolated Rain Showers" but the current METAR shows none of it; the observation and forecast differ, so trust the METAR for current conditions.
PILOT WEATHER NOTES
Thunderstorms in the forecastWeather.gov
Friday: Rain Showers Likely. Watch for developing convection and plan alternates.
| Day | Conditions | Temp F | Wind | Gusts | Precip | Pilot note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Isolated Rain Showers | 81/70 | NE 8 kt | – | 24% | |
| Monday | Scattered Rain Showers | 82/71 | NE 6 kt | – | 39% | |
| Tuesday | Rain Showers Likely | 80/71 | NE 10 kt | – | 68% | |
| Wednesday | Rain Showers Likely | 81/72 | NE 9 kt | – | 80% | |
| Thursday | Occasional Rain Showers | 81/73 | NE 9 kt | – | 82% | |
| Friday | Rain Showers Likely | 82/73 | ENE 10 kt | – | 60% | Thunderstorms in the forecast |
| Saturday | Rain Showers Likely | 82/73 | SSE 4 kt | – | 56% |
Note: the NWS forecast for now reads "Isolated Rain Showers" but the current METAR shows none of it; the observation and forecast differ, so trust the METAR for current conditions.
Source: National Weather Service (office HFO). Forecast issued 2147Z.
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Visit David ClarkRUNWAYS & WIND
2 runways · crosswind ranking
WIND USED
040° at 11 kt
Components computed from the current on-field METAR wind.
RECOMMENDED
RWY 0311 kt headwind · 1 kt crosswind
RUNWAYS BY WIND · best end
03
HEAD
11 kt
CROSS
1 kt L
35
HEAD
8 kt
CROSS
7 kt R
17
HEAD
8 kt tail
CROSS
7 kt L
21
HEAD
11 kt tail
CROSS
1 kt R
Components are estimates from the current METAR wind and runway heading. Verify with the Chart Supplement and NOTAMs.
RUNWAYS
Runway detail & declared distances
H2
RWY H2
17/35
RWY 17180°T
Landing length (LDA)6,500 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA6,500 / 6,500 / 6,500 ft
REILYes
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
RWY 350°T
Landing length (LDA)6,500 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA6,500 / 6,500 / 6,500 ft
ILSILS/DME
Approach lightsMALSR
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternRight
03/21
RWY 0345°T
Landing length (LDA)6,500 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA6,500 / 6,500 / 6,500 ft
REILYes
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternRight
RWY 21225°T
Landing length (LDA)6,295 ft
TORA / TODA / ASDA6,500 / 6,500 / 6,500 ft
Displaced threshold205 ft
REILYes
VGSIPAPI (P4L)
Traffic patternLeft
H3
RWY H3
H1
RWY H1
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
1,555 ft
Pressure altitude
93 ft
Field elevation
153 ft MSL
Temperature
27°C (81°F)
Dewpoint
18°C (64°F)
Altimeter
29.98 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
0404Z 6:04 PM
Sunrise
1638Z 6:38 AM
Loggable night
0427Z (6:27 PM local) → 1615Z (6:15 AM local)
end of evening to start of morning civil twilight
Position lights required
0404Z (6:04 PM local) → 1638Z (6:38 AM local)
sunset to sunrise (91.209)
Night passenger currency
0504Z (7:04 PM local) → 1538Z (5:38 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
Lihue Airport is in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii. Field elevation 153 ft MSL. Airport facts are drawn from OurAirports and the FAA NASR dataset.
OPERATIONS & CONTACT
OwnershipPublicly owned
UseOpen to the public
TypeLarge airport
Airline serviceYes
ManagerCRAIG H. DAVIS
Manager phone808-274-3800
AttendedDaily, 0600–2200
CHARTS & AIRSPACE
ICAO / IATAPHLI / LIH
SectionalHAWAIIAN ISLANDS
Center (ARTCC)HONOLULU CONTROL FACILITY
Flight service (AFSS)HONOLULU
RegionHawaii
CountryUnited States
Coordinates21.9744, -159.3371
Distance from city2 NM E
SERVICES & LIGHTING
Fuel100 · Jet A
Control towerTowered
Field lightingSee remarks
BeaconSunset to sunrise · White-green (lighted land airport)
CTAF118.900
FREQUENCIES
Communications
127.2
ATIS
ATIS
126.5
HONOLULU CNTR
CNTR
118.9
CTAF
CTAF
121.9
GND
GND
122.6
HONOLULU
RCO
118.9
TWR
TWR
Not all tower/ground/approach frequencies are in our datasets. Verify with the FAA Chart Supplement.
AIRCRAFT ACTIVITY
PHLI traffic patterns
TRAFFIC VOLUME (30-DAY)
AVG LANDINGS/DAY
0.9
AVG OPS/DAY
1
Operations trend (7 days)
Busiest day: Thu · Busiest month: Jul
FLEET MIX
Jet 54%Piston single 31%Helicopter 15%
Mostly jet aircraft.
TOP AIRCRAFT TYPES
›B38M (Jet) · ~3 landings/mo
›A21N (Jet) · ~2 landings/mo
›C172 (Piston single) · ~2 landings/mo
›GA8 (Piston single) · ~2 landings/mo
›AS50 (Helicopter) · ~1 landings/mo
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
AIRPORT REMARKS
Operational remarks
›UNUSBL BYD 5 DEGS RIGHT OF CNTRLN.
›DIST. MGR; STATE OF HAWAII DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION AIRPORTS DIV.
›STADIUM FLOOD LIGHTS 125 FT AGL/282 FT MSL/ 2400 FT SW FROM RWY 03 THR.
›RWY 17/35 WGT LMT DC10-10 340000 LBS; DC10-30 430000 LBS.
›405 FT OF RWY 17/35 500 FT SOUTH OF TWY D & RWY 17/35 INT NOT VSB FM ATCT.
›HELICOPTER PADS 1-20 LCTD W OF CONTROL TOWER.
›MISC 2 OF 3: ACFT NEEDING ENG RUNUPS FOR OTR THAN NML START-UP AND TAXI OUT ARE RQRD TO COORD THESE RUNUPS WITH OPS AT 808-651-6255. NML RUNUP AREA IS ON TWY ALPHA NORTH OF TWY B AND ALPHA INT. ACFT ORIENTATION IS DEPENDENT ON WIND AND TWR APVL.
›PCR VALUE: 704/F/A/W/T
›PCR VALUE: 704/F/A/W/T
›UNUSBL BYD 1.5 NM AND 7 DEGS LEFT OF CNTRLN AND OFFSET 9.5 DEG E OF CNTRLN DUE TO RAPIDLY RISING TRRN.
›MISC 3 OF 3: POWER SETTING WILL NOT CAUSE DAMAGE TO LIGHTS AND SIGNS, IF RUN MAY CAUSE DAMAGE AN ALTERNATE LOCATION WILL BE SELECTED.
›MISC 1 OF 3: PPR FOR PARKING ALL TRANSIENT ACFT, CALL ARPT OPS CONTROL (808)651-6255; FAX (808) 241-3939 BTN 1700Z 0230Z, OTHER TIMES (808) 274-3814. MILITARY/CIVILIAN ACFT CARRYING MUNITIONS/HAZMAT MUST COORDINATE ITINERARY NLT 24 HRS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL.
›HELI MAJOR.
›WHEN ATCT CLSD ACTVT MALSR RWY 35; REIL RWYS 03, 17, & 21; PAPI RWYS 03, 17, 21, & 35; MIRL RWY 03/21; HIRL RWY 17/35; TWY LGTS - CTAF.
›TPA SINGLE ENGINE 1000 (851) MULTI ENGINE 1500 (1351).
›EXTENSIVE LARGE AND SMALL BIRD ACTIVITY INVOF RYS INCLUDING THE NENE GOOSE.
›FOR CD WHEN ATCT IS CLSD CTC HONOLULU CONTROL FACILITY AT 808-840-6262.
›INTXN DEPS FM TWY D ON RY 17/35 NOT AUTHORIZED.
›PPR FOR TRANSPORTATION OF DIV 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 EXPLOSIVES AND HAZMAT IN AND OUT OF ARPT. CALL ARPT OPS AT 808-651-6255.
›MILITARY ACFT MAKE FUEL ARRANGEMENTS BEFORE ARRIVAL.
›DUE TO NONVISIBILITY ATCT UNABLE TO PROVIDE ATC SVC BTN ACFT AND/OR VEHICLES ON TWY B FM 220 FT TO 500 FT S OF TWY D.
›<CRASH & FIRE EQUIPMENT AVBL 24 HRS.
›DIST RMNG SIGNS LEFT SIDE OF RWY 35.
›100 OCTANE FUEL AVBL 0900-1700. FOR JET A FUEL CALL 1-800-776-2138 OR 1-800-821-3122.
OFFICIAL LINKS & SOURCES
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Does PHLI have a METAR?
Yes. PHLI has a current METAR observation, decoded into plain English on this page.
Does PHLI have a TAF?
Yes, a TAF is issued for PHLI; the decoded forecast timeline is shown above.
What is the field elevation at PHLI?
PHLI sits at 153 ft MSL, which factors into the density-altitude estimate on this page.
Is this an official preflight weather briefing for PHLI?
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.