Hilo International Airport

PHTO / ITO

Hilo, US

Last Updated
Jul 4, 20:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 15 min ago
20:53Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
27°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 22°C
9 kt
50°
10 SM
Visibility
6,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1017 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR PHTO 042053Z 05009KT 10SM FEW048 OVC060 27/22 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP163 60016 T02670217 58002

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 38 ft
FEW 4,800 ft AGL
OVC 6,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
4,800 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,838 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
6,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
6,038 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Hilo International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with overcast skies at 6,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the northeast (50°) at 9 knots. Runway 03/21 is favored with a 8-knot headwind and 3-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 6000 feet AGL (overcast), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 27°C (81°F) with a dewpoint of 22°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 23 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: Showers Rain, Mist. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Showers Rain, Mist between 19:00Z and 21:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. 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
1016 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (38 ft)
Pressure Alt
-75 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,374 ft
ISA Deviation: +12.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF PHTO 041913Z 0419/0518 33005KT P6SM VCSH SCT025 BKN035 TEMPO 0419/0421 2SM SHRA BR BKN025 FM042100 04010KT P6SM VCSH SCT025 BKN040 FM050600 VRB06KT P6SM VCSH SCT025 BKN035
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
21:08Z BASE
+0h
VFR 330° 5 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 3,500 ft
06:00Z FM050600
+9h
VFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 3,500 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
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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
Active: 03
5,600 ft 150 ft ASP 41°
8.5 kt 3.1 kt
20° angle
08/26 9,800 ft 150 ft ASP 90°
6.9 kt 5.8 kt
40° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - PHTO

13,205 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
67.5%
MVFR
29.2%
IFR
3.1%
LIFR
0.2%

Hilo International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 67.5% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 3.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the SW averaging 6.2 knots. Calm conditions occur 11.7% of the time. The climate is relatively stable with temperatures averaging 22.8°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: 11.7%
Direction Distribution:
E
11.4%
N
8%
S
7.7%
W
15.4%
NE
9.2%
NW
4%
SE
7.1%
SW
25.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 22.8°C
Range: 16°C to 31°C
16°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 9.1 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.2%
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: 3.3 kt

Statistics computed from 13,205 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 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.