Watertown Regional Airport (KATY) Aviation Weather: METAR & TAF
As of 2:16 PM CDT, Oct 28, KATY is currently LIFR with winds from 290° at 10 knots, visibility 2.5 statute miles, and a 400 ft ceiling.
Live aviation weather for Watertown Regional Airport in Watertown, SD, including METAR, TAF, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter and runway crosswinds.
Watertown Regional Airport (KATY) is a regional airport serving Watertown, SD at a field elevation of 1,749 ft. KATY reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF, decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. It has 2 physical runways (12/30, 17/35), the longest 6,898 ft. The official FAA airport diagram is at the bottom of the page.
Wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 10 kt, visibility 2.5 statute miles, overcast at 400 ft, temperature 13°C (55°F), altimeter 29.87 inHg. Conditions are Low IFR (LIFR), ceiling 400 ft.
SPECI KATY 281916Z AUTO 29010KT 2 1/2SM -RA BR OVC004 13/12 A2987 RMK AO2 CIG 003V007 P0001 T01280122
Current pilot readout for KATY
KATY is currently LIFR with winds from 290° at 10 knots, visibility 2.5 statute miles, and a 400 ft ceiling. the wind favors northwest-facing runway ends (30). Density altitude is approximately 1,950 ft (field elevation 1,749 ft). KATY does not publish a TAF. The nearest TAF station is KATY, about 0 nm away.
KATY by the numbers
What the long-run records say about flying here, computed for this airport alone.
The FAA issued no ground stop or ground delay program for ATY in the 12 months to October 2026. Delays here come from the airlines or from programs at other airports rather than from ATY's own airspace.
KATY reported VFR in 78% of daylight observations over 20 years, about 253 flyable days a year. July is the most reliable month and December the least, with IFR or worse 24% of the time. When conditions drop it is usually low ceilings rather than fog (ceilings under 1,000 ft 9% of hours, visibility under 3 miles 5%).
Over 20 years of hourly winds, runway 17 had the best headwind 30% of the time, runway 30 27%, and winds were calm 10% of hours. Winds most often blow from the south. Crosswind on the best available runway topped 15 kt in 1% of hours.
Snow fell on about 60 days a year and freezing rain or drizzle on 5. From December to February KATY was IFR or worse 20% of the time, against 5% from June to August.
Thunderstorms were reported on about 35 days a year. 65% of storm hours fall in June, July and August, peaking in July when storms were in the air 2% of the time.
Field elevation is 1,749 ft, but on a median summer afternoon the air performs like 3,372 ft, 1,623 ft higher. Plan for a longer takeoff roll and a weaker climb from June to August.
Sources: FAA ATCSCC advisories, hourly observations 2006 to 2025 and the per-runway wind climatology 2006 to 2025. Historical summaries, not a forecast: check the current METAR, TAF and a briefing before flight.
New to aviation weather? How to read a METAR → · What VFR/MVFR/IFR mean → · Decode any METAR/TAF → · Density altitude calculator →
Runway wind check
Estimated head/tailwind and crosswind for each runway end from the current reported wind.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30FAV | 6,898 ft | ASP | 10 kt head | 3 kt left |
| 35 | 6,893 ft | ASP | 3 kt head | 9 kt left |
| 17 | 6,893 ft | ASP | 3 kt tail | 9 kt right |
| 12 | 6,898 ft | ASP | 10 kt tail | 3 kt right |
Open the crosswind calculator to try your own wind and runway numbers →
KATY runways
2 physical runways · 4 runway ends. Each card opens the runway's intelligence page: equipment and lighting, LAHSO, frequencies, today's configuration, predicted use, history and approaches.
- Restricted (NOTAM)Runway 12/306,898 × 100 ft · ASPCurrent useno stated-runway source at KATYWind
- 12
- 10 kt tailwind · 3 kt crosswind from right
- 30
- 10 kt headwind · 3 kt crosswind from left
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence → - Restricted (NOTAM)Runway 17/356,893 × 100 ft · ASPCurrent useno stated-runway source at KATYWind
- 17
- 3 kt tailwind · 9 kt crosswind from right
- 35
- 3 kt headwind · 9 kt crosswind from left
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence →
“Current use” is what the facilitystates; wind components are arithmetic on the current METAR against TRUE headings; status reflects NOTAMs received through SWIM, the tower's TFDM record and the D-ATIS — a runway reads “Open” only with a complete NOTAM picture.
KATY weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast. Drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © Stadia Maps © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap
NOAA NEXRAD composite and lightning, updated about every five minutes; amber frames are HRRR model guidance, not observed radar. Not for navigation.
Pilot reports (PIREPs) within 100 NM of KATY
Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours, via aviationweather.gov.
Show raw report
ATY UA /OV ATY360060/TM 1921/FL230/TP PC12/TB LGT CHOP
ATY UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV ATY360060Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1921Reported at 19:21 UTC.FL230Altitude: 23,000 ft MSL.TP PC12Aircraft type reporting.TB LGT CHOPTurbulence: light chop.Show raw report
FSD UA /OV FSD095005/TM 1843/FLUNKN/TP CRJ9/SK OVC020-TOPUNKN/RM DURD
FSD UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV FSD095005Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1843Reported at 18:43 UTC.FLUNKNAltitude unknown.TP CRJ9Aircraft type reporting.SK OVC020-TOPUNKNSky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.RM DURDRemarks.Show raw report
FSD UA /OV FSD180010/TM 1822/FL070/TP A319/SK BASES 023 TOPS 068
FSD UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV FSD180010Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1822Reported at 18:22 UTC.FL070Altitude: 7,000 ft MSL.TP A319Aircraft type reporting.SK BASES 023 TOPS 068Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.Show raw report
LSE UA /OV 1D7/TM 1815/FL370/TP BCS3/SK TOP 400
LSE UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV 1D7Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1815Reported at 18:15 UTC.FL370Altitude: 37,000 ft MSL.TP BCS3Aircraft type reporting.SK TOP 400Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.Show raw report
ATY UA /OV ATY002034/TM 1739/FL080/TP COL4/SK SKC/TA 07/TB NEG/IC NEG
ATY UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV ATY002034Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1739Reported at 17:39 UTC.FL080Altitude: 8,000 ft MSL.TP COL4Aircraft type reporting.SK SKCSky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.TA 07Outside air temperature, °C.TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.IC NEGIcing: none reported.Show raw report
FAR UA /OV FAR130020/TM 1733/FL190/TP C68A/TA M21/IC LGT RIME 140-160/RM DURC
FAR UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV FAR130020Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1733Reported at 17:33 UTC.FL190Altitude: 19,000 ft MSL.TP C68AAircraft type reporting.TA M21Outside air temperature, °C.IC LGT RIME 140-160Icing: light rime 14,000–16,000 ft.RM DURCRemarks.Show raw report
FSD UA /OV FSD180005/TM 1715/FL025/TP F2TH/SK OVC025-TOP053/RM DURC
FSD UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV FSD180005Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1715Reported at 17:15 UTC.FL025Altitude: 2,500 ft MSL.TP F2THAircraft type reporting.SK OVC025-TOP053Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.RM DURCRemarks.Show raw report
ABR UA /OV ABR/TM 1653/FL050/TP B190/SK BASE021-TOP030/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURC
ABR UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV ABRLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1653Reported at 16:53 UTC.FL050Altitude: 5,000 ft MSL.TP B190Aircraft type reporting.SK BASE021-TOP030Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.IC NEGIcing: none reported.RM DURCRemarks.⚠️ PIREPs are unverified pilot reports. Not for operational use: conditions change between reports.
Recent aviation weather trends at KATY
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
History is still being collected. Check back in a few days.
Most recent change: IFR → LIFR
Share of hours each runway had the most headwind. From wind reports, not ATC assignments.
- 17
- 38%
- 35
- 24%
- 12
- 21%
- 30
- 17%
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Live crosswind meter
Measured by KATY's own weather station.
Wind is 15° off runway 30, the end with the most headwind right now.
Asphalt · 6,898 ft. Headings from FAA runway data. Not for navigation.
Field aerial
North up
Runway 12/30, 17/35 drawn from FAA threshold coordinates.
Imagery: USGS The National Map (public domain). Something off? ✏️ Suggest an edit
Airport info
From the FAA airport record (cycle 2026-10-01) and OurAirports.
Services
- Fuel
- 100LL · Jet A
- Attended
- Daily 0430-2030 local
- Repairs
- Airframe & engine, major
- Transient parking
- Tie-downs · Hangars
- Landing fee
- Yes
- Other services
- Air freight · Crop dusting · Air ambulance · Cargo handling · Charter · Flight instruction · Aircraft rental · Aircraft sales
- Control tower
- None
- Wind indicator
- Lighted
Airport
- Type
- Regional airport
- ICAO
- KATY
- IATA
- ATY
- FAA LID
- ATY
- City
- Watertown
- State
- South Dakota
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 1,749 ft
- Coordinates
- 44.9140, -97.1547
- Runways
- 2 physical runways · 4 runway ends
- Longest runway
- 6,898 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Nearest KATY
- AWOS/ASOS
- 126.625 MHz
- Time zone
- America/Chicago
- Sunset in
- 3h 57m
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed KATY's live status on your website, free →
Nearby airports
Compare nearby METAR/TAF stations within 25, 50 and 100 NM before departure or arrival.
Within 25 NM
2 airports25–50 NM
8 airports+2 more within 50 NM
50–100 NM
8 airports+2 more within 100 NM
Historical Flying Weather at KATY
2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index
Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, KATY reported VFR conditions during about 77.7% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 253 VFR flying days a year. July had the most VFR weather; December had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 9.0 kt, calm 8.3% of the time.
Full historical breakdown
Flight category by month
| Month | VFR % | MVFR % | IFR % | LIFR % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 63.1 | 15.3 | 11.3 | 10.3 |
| Feb | 69.7 | 14.4 | 9.3 | 6.5 |
| Mar | 68.5 | 14.6 | 9.3 | 7.6 |
| Apr | 75.6 | 11.5 | 8.1 | 4.8 |
| May | 81.1 | 11.3 | 5.5 | 2.2 |
| Jun | 88.2 | 6.7 | 3.3 | 1.8 |
| Jul | 91.9 | 5.0 | 2.1 | 0.9 |
| Aug | 85.2 | 8.1 | 3.7 | 3.0 |
| Sep | 84.0 | 8.0 | 5.3 | 2.7 |
| Oct | 78.8 | 11.6 | 6.4 | 3.2 |
| Nov | 74.2 | 14.3 | 7.3 | 4.3 |
| Dec | 61.7 | 14.5 | 12.3 | 11.5 |
Average wind by month
| Month | Mean wind (kt) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 9.4 kt |
| Feb | 9.3 kt |
| Mar | 9.8 kt |
| Apr | 10.6 kt |
| May | 9.4 kt |
| Jun | 8.2 kt |
| Jul | 7.4 kt |
| Aug | 7.3 kt |
| Sep | 8.3 kt |
| Oct | 9.4 kt |
| Nov | 9.4 kt |
| Dec | 9.3 kt |
Historical summary of past observations: not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.
KATY airport diagram
Official FAA taxiway and runway layout. Tap to zoom.
Official FAA airport diagram · d-TPP cycle 2611 · Not for navigation. Download the official FAA PDF ↗
Customize your ATY shirt or mug
ATY's real runway layout on the back, elevation and tower frequency on the front. Add your tail number on the sleeve.
Pilot PIREPs for Watertown Regional Airport (KATY)
Community-submittedCommunity-submitted airport notes from pilots about runway conditions, wildlife, FBOs, fuel, turbulence, ramp access, and local tips.
Read recent community-submitted pilot notes for Watertown Regional Airport, including runway conditions, wildlife activity, FBO/fuel notes, turbulence, ramp access, and local airport tips.
⚠️ Pilot PIREPs on ATIS Alerts are community-submitted airport notes for situational awareness only. They are not official FAA PIREPs, NOTAMs, weather briefings, airport advisories, or flight-planning guidance. Always verify with official FAA/NWS sources, airport management, ATC, and current publications.
No Pilot PIREPs have been submitted for KATY yet. Recently flew here? Help the next pilot by leaving a quick airport note.
Pilot PIREPs are community pilot notes for situational awareness only, not official FAA PIREPs or advisories. Verify with official sources. Notes are moderated before they appear; helpful marks and reports help us keep them useful.
⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
No D-ATIS at this airport, showing METAR.
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