Ketchikan International Airport

PAKT / KTN

Ketchikan, US

Last Updated
Jun 10, 17:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 55 min ago
17:53Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
12°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 10°C
11 kt
120°
10 SM
Visibility
2,800 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1020 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR PAKT 101753Z 12011KT 10SM -RA SCT014 SCT021 OVC028 12/10 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP205 HARBOR WIND 11008KT 6//// T01170100 10117 20111 51017 PNO $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 89 ft
SCT 1,400 ft AGL
SCT 2,100 ft AGL
OVC 2,800 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
1,400 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,489 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
2,100 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,189 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
2,800 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,889 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Ketchikan International Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with overcast skies at 2,800 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the east-southeast (120°) at 11 knots. Runway 11/29 is favored with a 11-knot headwind and 2-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 2800 feet AGL (overcast), placing conditions in the MVFR category.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 12°C (54°F) with a dewpoint of 10°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. IFR conditions are expected to persist or develop. An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are recommended. Expected weather includes: Light Drizzle, Mist. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Light Drizzle, Mist between 18:00Z and 22:00Z.

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
1020 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1017 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (89 ft)
Pressure Alt
-114 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -453 ft
ISA Deviation: -2.8°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF PAKT 101742Z 1018/1118 12010KT P6SM OVC012 TEMPO 1018/1022 6SM -DZ BR OVC010 FM102200 13010KT P6SM VCSH OVC025 FM110600 14005KT 6SM -DZ BR OVC015 AMD LTD TO CLD VIS AND WIND 1106/1115
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
18:47Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 120° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 1,200 ft
22:00Z FM102200
+4h
MVFR 130° 10 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
06:00Z FM110600
+12h
MVFR 140° 5 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
Light Drizzle, 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
  • • Hover for exact values and timestamps
  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
  • • Zoom and pan for detailed analysis
  • • Units automatically converted to preferences
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
AKT
11 ✈️
29
ESE
WNW

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 11/29
Active: 11
7,500 ft 150 ft ASPH-G 136°
10.8 kt 1.9 kt
10° angle
ESE/WNW 9,500 ft 1,500 ft WATER
5.5 kt 9.5 kt
120° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - PAKT

7,868 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
51.6%
MVFR
37.9%
IFR
8.7%
LIFR
1.9%

Ketchikan International Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 51.6% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 10.6% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the SE averaging 8.5 knots, with gusts recorded up to 110 knots. Calm conditions occur 11.4% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -11°C to 27°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are April, June, May.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SE (135°)
Average Speed: 8.5 kt
Maximum Recorded: 110 kt
Calm Winds: 11.4%
Direction Distribution:
N
4.1%
NE
0.1%
E
2.3%
SE
47.3%
S
10.3%
SW
0.8%
W
3.6%
NW
20.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 5.1°C
Range: -11°C to 27°C
-11°C 27°C

Visibility

Average: 8.3 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.3%
Fog Frequency: 1.5%

Best Months for VFR

April June May

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.9 kt

Statistics computed from 7,868 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Ketchikan International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: PAKT
IATA Code: KTN
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 89 ft MSL

Location

City: Ketchikan
Country: US
Latitude: 55.355598°
Longitude: -131.714005°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+9

Runway Information

Runway 11/29
Length: 7,500 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASPH-G
ILS: No
Runway ESE/WNW
Length: 9,500 ft
Width: 1,500 ft
Surface: WATER
ILS: No

About Ketchikan International Airport

Overview

Ketchikan International Airport serves the southeastern Alaskan city of Ketchikan, located in a challenging maritime environment. Situated at an elevation of 89 feet MSL, the airport provides critical transportation infrastructure for this coastal region, with both a paved land runway and a water runway supporting diverse aviation needs.

Flying Conditions

Weather at Ketchikan presents variable conditions, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) prevailing in 49.1% of observations and Marginal VFR conditions occurring 38.8% of the time. Pilots should anticipate predominantly southeastern winds averaging 9.1 knots, with temperature ranges from -11°C to 22°C and average visibility of 8.2 statute miles.

Notable Features

The airport's dual runway configuration includes a 7,500-foot paved land runway (11/29) and a 9,500-foot water runway, offering operational flexibility in this coastal Alaskan environment. Its geographical position at coordinates 55.355598, -131.714005 places it in a region with complex terrain and maritime weather influences.

Approach Considerations

Runway 11/29 demonstrates favorable wind conditions, with 100% wind compatibility and an average crosswind of only 4 knots. October, January, and September statistically offer the best Visual Flight Rules conditions, providing more predictable approach and departure opportunities for pilots navigating this challenging Alaskan airport.

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.