Port Hardy Airport

CYZT / YZT

Port Hardy, CA

Last Updated
Jul 4, 06:32Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 33 min ago
06:32Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
12°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 12°C
2 kt
Variable
15 SM
Visibility
2,200 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI CYZT 040632Z VRB02KT 15SM BKN022 OVC070 12/12 A3008 RMK SC7AC1 SLP188

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 71 ft
BKN 2,200 ft AGL
OVC 7,000 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
2,200 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,271 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
7,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
7,071 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Port Hardy Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with overcast skies at 7,000 feet and 15 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are calm, presenting no crosswind concerns for any runway.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 15 SM. The ceiling is 2200 feet AGL (broken), placing conditions in the MVFR category.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 12°C (54°F) with a dewpoint of 12°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 12 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 Rain, Light Rain, Mist, Light Rain, Mist, FCST. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Rain, Mist between 07:00Z and 12:00Z. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Light Rain, Mist, FCST between 12:00Z and 19:00Z.

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
1019 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1017 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (71 ft)
Pressure Alt
-102 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -445 ft
ISA Deviation: -2.9°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF CYZT 040647Z 0407/0419 VRB03KT P6SM -RA SCT008 OVC040 TEMPO 0407/0412 3SM -RA BR SCT008 OVC020 FM041200 VRB03KT P6SM -RA SCT008 OVC020 TEMPO 0412/0419 2SM -RA BR OVC008 RMK NXT FCST BY 041300Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
07:04Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 4,000 ft
Light Rain
12:00Z FM041200
+5h
MVFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 2,000 ft
Light Rain
12:00Z TEMPO
+5h
IFR
Visibility: 2SM
Ceiling: 800 ft
Light Rain, Mist, FCST

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
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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
YZT
08
26
11
29
16
34

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
08/26 4,000 ft 150 ft ASP 92° No wind data
11/29 5,000 ft 150 ft ASP 129° No wind data
16/34 4,000 ft 150 ft ASP 178° No wind data
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - CYZT

8,222 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
72.8%
MVFR
18.4%
IFR
6.5%
LIFR
2.3%

Port Hardy Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 72.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 8.8% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the E averaging 7.6 knots, with gusts recorded up to 44 knots. Temperatures typically range between -4°C and 24°C with an average of 7.6°C. The best months for VFR flying are May, October, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: E (90°)
Average Speed: 7.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 44 kt
Calm Winds: 5.8%
Direction Distribution:
E
17.7%
N
5.4%
S
13%
W
13%
NE
4%
NW
9.4%
SE
17.3%
SW
14.4%

Temperature Range

Average: 7.6°C
Range: -4°C to 24°C
-4°C 24°C

Visibility

Average: 13.5 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.7%
Fog Frequency: 3.1%

Best Months for VFR

May October February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.6 kt
Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.1 kt
Runway 16/34
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.9 kt

Statistics computed from 8,222 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Port Hardy Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: CYZT
IATA Code: YZT
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 71 ft MSL

Location

City: Port Hardy
Country: CA
Latitude: 50.680599°
Longitude: -127.366997°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 08/26
Length: 4,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 11/29
Length: 5,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 16/34
Length: 4,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Port Hardy Airport

Overview

Port Hardy Airport serves the northern Vancouver Island region in British Columbia, Canada, providing critical air transportation infrastructure for the area. Located at 50.680599, -127.366997 with an elevation of 71 ft MSL, the airport supports regional and general aviation operations with three asphalt runways ranging from 4000 to 5000 feet in length.

Flying Conditions

Weather at Port Hardy demonstrates significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions predominating at 69.3% of observations. Pilots can expect prevailing southeast winds averaging 7.7 knots, with temperatures ranging from -3°C to 24°C and average visibility of 12.7 statute miles. October through December offer the most consistent VFR conditions, with minimal low-ceiling or visibility restrictions.

Notable Features

The airport's three-runway configuration provides excellent wind alignment, with all runways showing 100% favorable wind coverage. Each runway experiences relatively low average crosswind conditions, ranging from 2.7 to 5.2 knots. The varied runway orientations (08/26, 11/29, and 16/34) offer pilots multiple approach options adaptable to changing wind conditions.

Approach Considerations

With consistent southeast wind patterns, runway selection typically favors 08/26 or 11/29 approaches. Pilots should anticipate potential reduced visibility during 3.4% of observations involving fog, and be prepared for occasional instrument meteorological conditions that occur during 11.4% of recorded weather events. The airport's moderate elevation and multiple runway options provide flexibility for most general aviation operations.

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.