Hilo International Airport

PHTO / ITO

Hilo, US

Last Updated
Apr 29, 22:22Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 5 min ago
22:22Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
24°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 21°C
7 kt
100°
10 SM
Visibility
3,500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI PHTO 292222Z 10007KT 10SM -RA SCT023 BKN035 OVC055 24/21 A3008 RMK AO2 P0000 T02390206

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 38 ft
SCT 2,300 ft AGL
BKN 3,500 ft AGL
OVC 5,500 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
2,300 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,338 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
3,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,538 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
5,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,538 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Hilo International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with overcast skies at 5,500 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the east (100°) at 7 knots. Runway 08/26 is favored with a 7-knot headwind and 2-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 3500 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 24°C (75°F) with a dewpoint of 21°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 24 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain, Light Showers Rain, Mist. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Showers Rain between 18:00Z and 20:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. 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
1018 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (38 ft)
Pressure Alt
-135 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 954 ft
ISA Deviation: +9.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF PHTO 291738Z 2918/3018 23005KT 6SM -SHRA BKN025 TEMPO 2918/2920 5SM -SHRA BKN020 FM292000 03008KT P6SM VCSH SCT030 BKN035 FM300600 23005KT 6SM -SHRA BR SCT020 BKN045
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
22:27Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 230° 5 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
Light Showers Rain
06:00Z FM300600
+8h
VFR 230° 5 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Ceiling: 4,500 ft
Light Showers Rain, 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
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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
HTO
03
21
08 ✈️
26

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
03/21 5,600 ft 150 ft ASP 41°
3.6 kt 6.0 kt
59° angle
✈️ 08/26
Active: 08
9,800 ft 150 ft ASP 90°
6.6 kt 2.4 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - PHTO

9,773 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
69.8%
MVFR
26.9%
IFR
3%
LIFR
0.2%

Hilo International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 69.8% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 3.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the SW averaging 6.2 knots. Calm conditions occur 12.2% of the time. The climate is relatively stable with temperatures averaging 22.6°C (range: 16°C to 31°C). The best months for VFR flying are December, October, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SW (225°)
Average Speed: 6.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 20 kt
Calm Winds: 12.2%
Direction Distribution:
N
8.4%
NE
6.2%
E
11%
SE
8.4%
S
9.2%
SW
27.2%
W
13.5%
NW
3.9%

Temperature Range

Average: 22.6°C
Range: 16°C to 31°C
16°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 9.1 SM
Below 3 SM: 2%
Fog Frequency: 0%

Best Months for VFR

December October September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.7 kt
Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.5 kt

Statistics computed from 9,773 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Hilo International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: PHTO
IATA Code: ITO
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 38 ft MSL

Location

City: Hilo
Country: US
Latitude: 19.721399°
Longitude: -155.048004°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+10

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 5,600 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 08/26
Length: 9,800 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Hilo International Airport

Overview

Hilo International Airport serves the eastern side of Hawaii's Big Island, located in the city of Hilo. As a medium-sized airport with two substantial runways, it provides critical aviation infrastructure for the region, supporting both commercial and general aviation operations. The airport sits at a low elevation of 38 feet mean sea level, offering relatively straightforward terrain interaction.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Hilo are predominantly visual flight rules (VFR), with 74.3% of observations supporting clear flying conditions. Southwest winds averaging 5.9 knots characterize the airport's wind profile, with occasional gusts up to 20 knots. Temperature remains consistently moderate, ranging from 16°C to 31°C, with an average of 22.9°C, providing stable atmospheric conditions for most of the year.

Notable Features

The airport features two parallel asphalt runways: a 5,600-foot runway (03/21) and a longer 9,800-foot runway (08/26). Both runways demonstrate excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage and minimal average crosswind components (3.6kt and 3.1kt respectively). The geographical location near the Pacific Ocean influences local meteorological conditions, contributing to the airport's consistent visibility averaging 9.2 statute miles.

Approach Considerations

Pilots can expect optimal flying conditions during December, October, and September, which represent the best VFR months. The runways offer flexible approach options with consistent wind patterns. While instrument meteorological conditions are rare (IFR/LIFR conditions represent only 2.8% of observations), pilots should still prepare for potential variability, particularly during less favorable months.

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.