Detroit Lakes Airport (KDTL) Aviation Weather, METAR, TAF & ATIS Alerts
Live aviation weather for Detroit Lakes Airport in Detroit Lakes, MN, including METAR, TAF, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter, runway crosswinds, and Telegram airport alerts.
Detroit Lakes Airport (KDTL) is a general aviation airport serving pilots in and around Detroit Lakes, MN at 1,397 ft. KDTL reports its own METAR — decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. Its 4 runways (14, 17, 32, 35) — longest 5,201 ft — are checked against the current wind in the crosswind table below. Automated weather is broadcast on 111.2. Track KDTL in the ATIS Alerts Telegram bot to get a message when a new METAR changes the picture — flight category, wind, or ceiling past your selected minimums.
Wind from the south (190°) at 11 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, a few clouds at 35,000 ft, temperature 33°C (92°F), altimeter 29.92 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
METAR KDTL 291935Z AUTO 19011KT 10SM FEW350 33/23 A2992 RMK AO2 T03320234
What changed at KDTL?
Since the 1915Z (2:15 PM CDT) report — compared automatically against the latest METAR.
No significant changes since the 1915Z report — conditions are holding steady.
This is exactly what ATIS Alerts watches for you — get a Telegram message when KDTL's weather changes, free →
Current pilot readout for KDTL
KDTL is currently VFR with winds from 190° at 11 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway 14, about 8 knots. Density altitude is approximately 3,900 ft (field elevation 1,397 ft). KDTL does not publish a TAF — the nearest TAF station is KFAR, about 39 nm away.
⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
New to aviation weather? How to read a METAR → · What VFR/MVFR/IFR mean → · Decode any METAR/TAF → · Density altitude calculator →
Get KDTL weather alerts in Telegram
Stop refreshing aviation weather manually. Track KDTL in ATIS Alerts and get notified when a new METAR changes the picture — a category drop, or wind and ceiling moving toward your minimums.
Track KDTL free on TelegramRunway wind check
Estimated head/tailwind and crosswind for each runway end from the current reported wind.
Use this section to quickly compare current wind alignment across available runways at KDTL. This is intended as a planning aid only and should not replace official performance calculations or pilot judgment.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17FAV | 1,880 ft | GRS | 11 kt head | 2 kt right |
| 14 | 5,201 ft | ASP | 7 kt head | 8 kt right |
| 32 | 5,201 ft | ASP | 7 kt tail | 8 kt left |
| 35 | 1,880 ft | GRS | 11 kt tail | 2 kt left |
Open the crosswind calculator — try your own wind and runway numbers →
24-hour trend
Wind, ceiling and flight category over the last 24 hours.
Over the last 23 h: wind 6→11 kt, ceiling unlimited → unlimited.
KDTL weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast — drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
Live weather radar around Detroit Lakes Airport in Detroit Lakes, MN: the NOAA/NWS NEXRAD composite updates about every five minutes, with NOAA lightning strike density overlaid. The loop plays the past 50 minutes, then continues into a future-radar forecast (+1 to +4 hours, NOAA HRRR model) so you can see where precipitation around KDTL is headed.
Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © OpenStreetMap © CARTO
Forecast frames (amber label) are HRRR model guidance, not observed radar. Lightning strike density appears as a blue-white glow when strikes are detected in view. Radar and lightning coverage are limited in parts of Alaska, Hawaii, and offshore areas. Not for navigation.
Pilot reports (PIREPs) within 100 NM of KDTL
Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours — via aviationweather.gov.
Show raw report
FAR UA /OV KFAR/TM 1802/FL030/TP PA46/WX FV08SM
FAR UAHeader — reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV KFARLocation — fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1802Reported at 18:02 UTC.FL030Altitude: 3,000 ft MSL.TP PA46Aircraft type reporting.WX FV08SMWeather and flight visibility observed.Show raw report
FAR UA /OV KFAR/TM 1722/FL026/TP C25B/WX FV09SM
FAR UAHeader — reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV KFARLocation — fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1722Reported at 17:22 UTC.FL026Altitude: 2,600 ft MSL.TP C25BAircraft type reporting.WX FV09SMWeather and flight visibility observed.Show raw report
PEX UA /OV PEX/TM 1402/FL055/TP P28A/SK VMC055
PEX UAHeader — reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV PEXLocation — fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1402Reported at 14:02 UTC.FL055Altitude: 5,500 ft MSL.TP P28AAircraft type reporting.SK VMC055Sky condition — cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.Show raw report
CKN UA /OV KCKN /TM 1400 /FL055 /TP PA44 /WX FV05SM FU /RM FV 05SM TO THE EAST PLUS 10SM TO WEST
CKN UAHeader — reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV KCKNLocation — fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1400Reported at 14:00 UTC.FL055Altitude: 5,500 ft MSL.TP PA44Aircraft type reporting.WX FV05SM FUWeather and flight visibility observed.RM FV 05SM TO THE EAST PLUS …Remarks.⚠️ PIREPs are unverified pilot reports. Not for operational use — conditions change between reports.
Recent aviation weather trends at KDTL
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, KDTL reported mostly VFR across 65 observations, with 0 flight-category changes. Wind most often came from the S.
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
- 17
- 50%
- 14
- 23%
- 32
- 17%
- 35
- 10%
Get free ATIS alerts for KDTL
We'll message you on Telegram the moment a new METAR changes the picture at KDTL (Detroit Lakes Airport) — flight category, wind, or ceiling past your minimums.
Track KDTL on TelegramFree • no app to install • unsubscribe anytime
Airport facts
Reference data from the OurAirports dataset.
- Type
- General aviation airport
- ICAO
- KDTL
- IATA
- DTL
- FAA LID
- DTL
- City
- Detroit Lakes
- State
- Minnesota
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 1,397 ft
- Coordinates
- 46.8243, -95.8833
- Runways
- 4
- Longest runway
- 5,201 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Nearest KFAR
- AWOS/ASOS
- 111.2 MHz
- Time zone
- America/Chicago
- Sunset in
- 6h 6m
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed KDTL'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
8 airports+2 more within 25 NM
25–50 NM
8 airports+2 more within 50 NM
50–100 NM
8 airports+2 more within 100 NM
RC flying fields nearby
AMA model-aircraft club fields around this airport — live wind, crosswind & flyability on each page.
- Screamin Eagles - 460th St — Perham, MN · 18 mi
Historical Flying Weather
2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index
Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, KDTL reported VFR conditions during about 74.7% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 234 VFR flying days a year. July had the most VFR weather; December had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 7.6 kt, calm 12.6% of the time.
Full historical breakdown
Flight category by month
| Month | VFR % | MVFR % | IFR % | LIFR % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56.6 | 16.8 | 17.3 | 9.3 |
| Feb | 65.8 | 14.6 | 12.8 | 6.8 |
| Mar | 69.2 | 15.6 | 9.5 | 5.7 |
| Apr | 75.5 | 12.7 | 7.9 | 3.9 |
| May | 79.9 | 12.6 | 5.7 | 1.8 |
| Jun | 84.8 | 9.7 | 4.0 | 1.5 |
| Jul | 90.1 | 6.4 | 2.2 | 1.2 |
| Aug | 85.6 | 8.2 | 3.9 | 2.4 |
| Sep | 80.8 | 10.2 | 6.1 | 2.9 |
| Oct | 72.2 | 14.8 | 9.4 | 3.7 |
| Nov | 65.0 | 18.6 | 10.8 | 5.5 |
| Dec | 51.7 | 18.1 | 18.6 | 11.6 |
Average wind by month
| Month | Mean wind (kt) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 7.7 kt |
| Feb | 7.5 kt |
| Mar | 8.2 kt |
| Apr | 8.5 kt |
| May | 8.0 kt |
| Jun | 7.2 kt |
| Jul | 6.2 kt |
| Aug | 6.2 kt |
| Sep | 7.3 kt |
| Oct | 8.2 kt |
| Nov | 8.3 kt |
| Dec | 7.7 kt |
Historical summary of past observations — not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.
KDTL weather — frequently asked
What runways are available at KDTL?+
KDTL has 4 runways — 14, 17, 32, 35; the longest is 5,201 ft. This page computes the live crosswind for each runway end from the current wind.
Does KDTL report its own weather?+
Yes — Detroit Lakes Airport has its own weather station and publishes METAR observations, which this page decodes live.
Does KDTL have a TAF?+
No — KDTL does not publish its own TAF. The nearest TAF station is KFAR, about 39 nm away.
Does KDTL broadcast D-ATIS?+
No — KDTL does not broadcast D-ATIS. Alerts for KDTL from the ATIS Alerts bot (@atisalerts_bot) are based on its METAR instead.
Pilot PIREPs for Detroit Lakes Airport (KDTL)
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 Detroit Lakes 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 KDTL 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.
Why pilots use ATIS Alerts
Free aviation weather and ATIS change alerts for GA pilots, delivered on Telegram — so a change catches your eye before it catches you off guard.
- Get pinged the moment KDTL drops below VFR or a new report moves your numbers.
- Live METAR, TAF, crosswinds, and FAA delays — one link, always current.
- Free, no app to install, and you can track any US airport. Unsubscribe anytime.
⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
No D-ATIS at this airport — showing METAR.
Spotted incorrect airport info? ✏️ Suggest an edit
How ATIS Alerts works · All US airports · Minnesota airports