Svalbard Airport, Longyear

ENSB / LYR

Longyearbyen, NO

Last Updated
May 14, 23:20Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 32 min ago
23:20Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
2°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -2°C
3 kt
150°
10+ km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1017 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR ENSB 142320Z 15003KT 9999 FEW040 02/M02 Q1017 RMK WIND 1400FT VRB01KT

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 88 ft
FEW 4,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
4,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,088 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Svalbard Airport, Longyear is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with few clouds at 4,000 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: few at 4,000 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 2°C (36°F) with a dewpoint of -2°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 remain VFR throughout the forecast period.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight.

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 (88 ft)
Pressure Alt
-25 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -1,564 ft
ISA Deviation: -12.8°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF ENSB 141700Z 1418/1518 26009KT 9999 FEW015 SCT030 BECMG 1420/1422 16012KT BECMG 1510/1513 04009KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
23:51Z BASE
+0h
VFR 260° 9 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
10:00Z BECMG
+11h
VFR 40° 9 kt

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
NSB
09 ✈️
27

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 09/27
Active: 09
7,608 ft 148 ft ASP 105°
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 - ENSB

10,936 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
80.8%
MVFR
16.7%
IFR
2.1%
LIFR
0.5%

Svalbard Airport, Longyear enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 80.8% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the SE averaging 11.5 knots, with gusts recorded up to 37 knots. Temperature extremes range from -21°C to 11°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are May, March, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SE (135°)
Average Speed: 11.5 kt
Maximum Recorded: 37 kt
Calm Winds: 1.7%
Direction Distribution:
N
4.5%
NE
3.6%
E
22.5%
SE
41.7%
S
3.8%
SW
9.5%
W
8.3%
NW
4.4%

Temperature Range

Average: -4.7°C
Range: -21°C to 11°C
-21°C 11°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.4%

Best Months for VFR

May March October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 09/27
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.1 kt

Statistics computed from 10,936 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Svalbard Airport, Longyear - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: ENSB
IATA Code: LYR
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 88 ft MSL

Location

City: Longyearbyen
Country: NO
Latitude: 78.246101°
Longitude: 15.465600°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-1

Runway Information

Runway 09/27
Length: 7,608 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Svalbard Airport, Longyear

Overview

Svalbard Airport serves Longyearbyen, located at 78.246101°N in the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, Norway. As a medium-sized airport situated at 88 ft MSL, it provides critical transportation infrastructure for this remote polar region. The airport supports essential transportation needs for the local community and research operations in this extreme northern environment.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Svalbard Airport demonstrate significant polar variability, with visual flight rules (VFR) prevailing 77.4% of the time. Temperatures range dramatically from -21°C to 11°C, with an average of -3.2°C, presenting challenging cold-weather operations. Wind patterns are predominantly from the southeast at 135° with an average speed of 10.7 knots, and pilots can expect maximum gusts up to 29 knots.

Notable Features

The airport's single runway 09/27 is 7,608 feet long with an asphalt surface, positioned to maximize wind alignment. Its high latitude location at 78.246101°N creates unique astronomical and meteorological conditions, including extended periods of polar day and night. The surrounding terrain is characterized by Arctic tundra and mountainous landscapes, requiring heightened situational awareness during approach and departure.

Approach Considerations

Runway 09/27 offers favorable wind conditions 100% of the time, with an average crosswind component of 5.8 knots. Statistically, September through November provide the most consistent visual meteorological conditions, with only 2.4% of observations falling under instrument flight rules. Pilots should anticipate stable visibility averaging 10 statute miles, with minimal fog occurrence (0.3% of observations).

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.