Klawock Airport

PAKW / KLW

Klawock, US

Last Updated
Jul 4, 17:21Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 18 min ago
17:21Z

☀️ Day
IFR
Flight Rules
14°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 11°C
3 kt
140°
3 SM
Visibility
500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1017 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI PAKW 041721Z AUTO 14003KT 3SM -RA BKN005 BKN016 OVC026 14/11 A3004 RMK AO2 P0001 T01390106 TSNO $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 80 ft
BKN 500 ft AGL
BKN 1,600 ft AGL
OVC 2,600 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
580 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
1,600 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,680 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
2,600 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,680 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

IFR

Klawock Airport is currently reporting instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with overcast skies at 2,600 feet and 3 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southeast (140°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 3 SM, below VFR minimums in some airspace classifications. Check local requirements before departing VFR. The ceiling is 500 feet AGL (broken). Only precision approaches may be usable depending on minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 14°C (57°F) with a dewpoint of 11°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 20 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 Drizzle, Mist. Temporary LIFR conditions are forecast with Light Drizzle, Mist between 16:00Z and 18:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are required. Verify that destination and alternate approach minimums are above current and forecast conditions. 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
1017 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1014 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (80 ft)
Pressure Alt
-33 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -134 ft
ISA Deviation: -0.8°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF PAKW 041541Z 0416/0512 00000KT P6SM SCT005 BKN025 OVC035 TEMPO 0416/0418 2SM -DZ BR BKN004 OVC025 FM041800 VRB04KT P6SM SCT015 BKN025 FM042100 21005KT P6SM SCT025 BKN050 AMD LTD TO CLD VIS AND WIND
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
17:38Z BASE
+0h
MVFR
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
18:00Z FM041800
+1h
MVFR VRB 4 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
21:00Z FM042100
+4h
VFR 210° 5 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft

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
AKW
02
20 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 02/20
Active: 20
5,000 ft 100 ft ASP 35°
1.5 kt 2.6 kt
60° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - PAKW

10,213 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
50.3%
MVFR
39.5%
IFR
8%
LIFR
2.2%

Klawock Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 50.3% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 10.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 6.6 knots. Calm conditions occur 37.5% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -10°C to 30°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, November, July.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 6.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 37.5%
Direction Distribution:
E
1.9%
N
1.4%
S
27.4%
W
0.6%
NE
13%
NW
0.4%
SE
7.3%
SW
10.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 7.1°C
Range: -10°C to 30°C
-10°C 30°C

Visibility

Average: 8.4 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.5%
Fog Frequency: 1.2%

Best Months for VFR

October November July

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 02/20
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.6 kt

Statistics computed from 10,213 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Klawock Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: PAKW
IATA Code: KLW
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 80 ft MSL

Location

City: Klawock
Country: US
Latitude: 55.579201°
Longitude: -133.076004°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+9

Runway Information

Runway 02/20
Length: 5,000 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Klawock Airport

Overview

Klawock Airport serves the community of Klawock on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. Located at an elevation of 80 feet MSL, this medium-sized airport provides critical transportation infrastructure for the remote coastal region. The single runway 02/20 offers 5,000 feet of asphalt surface for aircraft operations.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Klawock demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) prevailing 55.2% of the time. Marginal VFR conditions occur 35.3% of observations, while instrument conditions (IFR and LIFR) account for 9.5% of total weather patterns. Temperature ranges from -10°C to 25°C, with an average of 6.5°C, presenting potential challenges for winter and summer operations.

Notable Features

The airport experiences predominantly southern winds at an average of 7.4 knots, with calm conditions occurring 31.9% of the time. Visibility typically remains strong, averaging 8.1 statute miles, though fog and reduced visibility can occur in approximately 2.9% of observations. Pilots should be prepared for potential rapid weather changes characteristic of southeastern Alaskan coastal environments.

Approach Considerations

Runway 02/20 demonstrates consistent wind alignment, with favorable wind conditions present 100% of the time and an average crosswind of only 3 knots. September, October, and November represent the most stable VFR months for operations. Pilots should carefully monitor current conditions, as weather can transition quickly between VFR and instrument meteorological conditions.

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.