Helena Regional Airport

KHLN / HLN

Helena, US

Last Updated
Apr 23, 03:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 42 min ago
03:53Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
6°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 3°C
8 kt
330°
8 SM
Visibility
2,700 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1005 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KHLN 230353Z AUTO 33008KT 8SM -RA BKN027 OVC033 06/03 A2969 RMK AO2 PK WND 33029/0303 RAB04 SLP057 P0001 T00560033

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 3,877 ft
BKN 2,700 ft AGL
OVC 3,300 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
2,700 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
6,577 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
3,300 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
7,177 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Helena Regional Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with overcast skies at 3,300 feet and 8 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the north-northwest (330°) at 8 knots. Runway 34 is favored with a 8-knot headwind and 1-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 8 SM. The ceiling is 2700 feet AGL (broken), placing conditions in the MVFR category.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 6°C (43°F) with a dewpoint of 3°C. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread suggests high humidity and potential for visibility restrictions, especially during cooling periods.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 21 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain, Mist, Light Rain, Light RASN, Light Snow, Mist.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1005 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
876 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (3,877 ft)
Pressure Alt
4,125 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 3,975 ft
ISA Deviation: -1.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KHLN 230326Z 2303/2324 32015KT 6SM -SHRA BR OVC040 FM230600 VRB06KT 5SM -RA OVC025 FM230800 VRB06KT 3SM -RASN OVC010 FM231200 32010G16KT 5SM -SN BR OVC015
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
04:34Z BASE
+0h
VFR 320° 15 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Ceiling: 4,000 ft
Light Showers Rain, Mist
06:00Z FM230600
+2h
MVFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: 5SM
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
Light Rain
08:00Z FM230800
+4h
IFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 1,000 ft
Light RASN
12:00Z FM231200
+8h
MVFR 320° 10 kt
Visibility: 5SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
Light Snow, Mist

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
Chart Features
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
HLN
05
23
09
27
16
34 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
05/23 4,644 ft 75 ft ASP 66°
0.8 kt 8.0 kt
96° angle
09/27 9,000 ft 150 ft ASP 103°
5.5 kt 5.9 kt
133° angle
✈️ 16/34
Active: 34
2,989 ft 75 ft ASP 179°
7.9 kt 1.4 kt
10° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KHLN

5,526 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
87.5%
MVFR
8%
IFR
3.1%
LIFR
1.3%

Helena Regional Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 87.5% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 8.1 knots, with gusts recorded up to 41 knots. Calm conditions occur 25.6% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -21°C to 30°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are January, September, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 8.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 41 kt
Calm Winds: 25.6%
Direction Distribution:
N
6.2%
NE
2.5%
E
4.1%
SE
3.1%
S
5.2%
SW
7.1%
W
34.3%
NW
11.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 4.4°C
Range: -21°C to 30°C
-21°C 30°C

Visibility

Average: 9.6 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.8%
Fog Frequency: 1.1%

Best Months for VFR

January September November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.4 kt
Runway 09/27
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.2 kt
Runway 16/34
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.2 kt

Statistics computed from 5,526 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Helena Regional Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KHLN
IATA Code: HLN
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 3,877 ft MSL

Location

City: Helena
Country: US
Latitude: 46.606800°
Longitude: -111.983002°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+7

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 4,644 ft
Width: 75 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 09/27
Length: 9,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 16/34
Length: 2,989 ft
Width: 75 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Helena Regional Airport

Overview

Helena Regional Airport serves central Montana, situated at an elevation of 3,877 feet MSL in the state capital region. The airport provides medium-sized airport infrastructure with three asphalt runways, supporting various general aviation, commercial, and potentially regional transport operations. Its strategic location in Helena makes it a critical aviation resource for west-central Montana.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences predominantly VFR conditions, with 88.6% of observations showing clear flying weather. Temperatures range dramatically from -21°C to 30°C, presenting significant seasonal variation for pilots. Wind patterns are consistently westerly at an average of 7.6 knots, with occasional stronger gusts up to 41 knots, and calm conditions occurring 29% of the time.

Notable Features

The airport features three runways with substantial length variations: a shorter 2,989-foot runway 16/34, a medium 4,644-foot runway 05/23, and a longer 9,000-foot runway 09/27. All runways are paved and offer consistent wind alignment, with each runway showing 100% favorable wind conditions. The high elevation and diverse runway configuration provide flexibility for different aircraft types and operational requirements.

Approach Considerations

Pilots can expect excellent wind alignment across all runways, with minimal average crosswind components (3.2-5.7 knots). Visibility averages 9.6 statute miles, with only 1.5% of observations showing reduced visibility below 3 miles. September, January, and November statistically offer the most consistent VFR conditions, providing predictable approach environments for aviators.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.