Estherville Municipal Airport (KEST) Aviation Weather: METAR
As of 2:36 PM CDT, Oct 28, KEST is currently VFR with winds from 200° at 11 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 3,100 ft ceiling.
Live aviation weather for Estherville Municipal Airport in Estherville, IA, including METAR, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter and runway crosswinds.
Estherville Municipal Airport (KEST) is a general aviation airport serving pilots in and around Estherville, IA at a field elevation of 1,319 ft. KEST reports its own METAR, decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. It has 2 physical runways (06/24, 16/34), the longest 4,797 ft. Automated weather is broadcast on 121.425.
Wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, overcast at 3,100 ft, temperature 21°C (69°F), altimeter 29.87 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR), ceiling 3,100 ft.
SPECI KEST 281936Z AUTO 20011KT 10SM OVC031 21/15 A2987 RMK AO2 T02060150
What changed at KEST?
Since the 1852Z (1:52 PM CDT) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.
- Flight category improved from MVFR to VFR.
- Gusts are no longer reported.
- Ceiling lifted from 2,700 ft to 3,100 ft.
- Pressure falling: altimeter 29.89 → 29.87 inHg.
The latest report is an off-schedule special (SPECI), issued because conditions changed significantly. What is a SPECI? →
Current pilot readout for KEST
KEST is currently VFR with winds from 200° at 11 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 3,100 ft ceiling. the wind favors south-facing runway ends (16). Density altitude is approximately 2,350 ft (field elevation 1,319 ft). KEST does not publish a TAF. The nearest TAF station is KFOD, about 57 nm away.
KEST by the numbers
What the long-run records say about flying here, computed for this airport alone.
KEST reported VFR in 77% of daylight observations over 20 years, about 250 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 a mix of low ceilings (under 1,000 ft 8% of hours) and low visibility (under 3 miles 6%).
Over 20 years of hourly winds, runway 16 had the best headwind 34% of the time, runway 34 32%, and winds were calm 5% 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 49 days a year and freezing rain or drizzle on 5. From December to February KEST was IFR or worse 20% of the time, against 5% from June to August.
Thunderstorms were reported on about 42 days a year. 55% of storm hours fall in May, June and July, peaking in June when storms were in the air 2% of the time.
Field elevation is 1,319 ft, but on a median summer afternoon the air performs like 2,868 ft, 1,549 ft higher. Plan for a longer takeoff roll and a weaker climb from June to August.
Gusts showed up in 17% of hours, typically 8 kt above the steady wind, and the strongest credible gust on record was 67 kt. April is the windiest month (mean 13 kt) and August the calmest.
Sources: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16FAV | 4,797 ft | CON | 9 kt head | 6 kt right |
| 24 | 2,989 ft | GRE | 7 kt head | 9 kt left |
| 06 | 2,989 ft | GRE | 7 kt tail | 9 kt right |
| 34 | 4,797 ft | CON | 9 kt tail | 6 kt left |
Open the crosswind calculator to try your own wind and runway numbers →
KEST 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.
- Status not monitoredRunway 06/242,989 × 90 ft · GRECurrent useno stated-runway source at KESTWind
- 06
- 7 kt tailwind · 9 kt crosswind from right
- 24
- 7 kt headwind · 9 kt crosswind from left
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence → - Status not monitoredRunway 16/344,797 × 75 ft · CONCurrent useno stated-runway source at KESTWind
- 16
- 9 kt headwind · 6 kt crosswind from right
- 34
- 9 kt tailwind · 6 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.
24-hour trend
Wind, ceiling and flight category over the last 24 hours.
Over the last 24 h: wind 11→11 kt, ceiling 1,100 ft → 3,100 ft.
KEST 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 KEST
Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours, via aviationweather.gov.
Show raw report
MKT UA /OV MKT/TM 1942/FL340/TP B739/TB NEG
MKT UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV MKTLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1942Reported at 19:42 UTC.FL340Altitude: 34,000 ft MSL.TP B739Aircraft type reporting.TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.Show raw report
FSD UA /OV FSD/TM 1938/FL068/TP BE9L/SK T068
FSD UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV FSDLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1938Reported at 19:38 UTC.FL068Altitude: 6,800 ft MSL.TP BE9LAircraft type reporting.SK T068Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.Show raw report
FSD UA /OV FSD090005/TM 1932/FL019/TP C25M/SK OVC019-TOPUKN/RM DURD
FSD UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV FSD090005Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1932Reported at 19:32 UTC.FL019Altitude: 1,900 ft MSL.TP C25MAircraft type reporting.SK OVC019-TOPUKNSky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.RM DURDRemarks.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
SUX UA /OV SUX120005/TM 1843/FL035/TP F2TH/SK BKN035-TOPUNKN/RM DURD
SUX UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV SUX120005Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1843Reported at 18:43 UTC.FL035Altitude: 3,500 ft MSL.TP F2THAircraft type reporting.SK BKN035-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
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
HCD UA /OV HCD/TM 1649/FL075/TP P28A/SK TOP075/TB NEG/IC NEG
HCD UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.OV HCDLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.TM 1649Reported at 16:49 UTC.FL075Altitude: 7,500 ft MSL.TP P28AAircraft type reporting.SK TOP075Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.IC NEGIcing: none reported.⚠️ PIREPs are unverified pilot reports. Not for operational use: conditions change between reports.
Recent aviation weather trends at KEST
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, KEST reported a mix of conditions, most often marginal VFR across 45 observations, with 13 flight-category changes. The strongest gust reached 23 kt, the lowest ceiling was 200 ft. Wind most often came from the S.
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
Most recent change: VFR → MVFR
Share of hours each runway had the most headwind. From wind reports, not ATC assignments.
- 16
- 51%
- 34
- 28%
- 24
- 13%
- 06
- 8%
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Live crosswind meter
Measured by KEST's own weather station.
Wind is 30° off runway 16, the end with the most headwind right now.
Concrete · 4,797 ft. Headings from FAA runway data. Not for navigation.
Field aerial
North up
Runway 06/24, 16/34 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 DAWN-DUSK local
- Repairs
- Airframe & engine, major
- Landing fee
- No
- Other services
- Charter · Flight instruction · Aircraft rental · Aircraft sales
- Control tower
- None
- Wind indicator
- Lighted
Airport
- Type
- General aviation airport
- ICAO
- KEST
- IATA
- EST
- FAA LID
- EST
- City
- Estherville
- State
- Iowa
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 1,319 ft
- Coordinates
- 43.4074, -94.7464
- Runways
- 2 physical runways · 4 runway ends
- Longest runway
- 4,797 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Nearest KFOD
- AWOS/ASOS
- 121.425 MHz
- Time zone
- America/Chicago
- Sunset in
- 3h 28m
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed KEST'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
9 airports+3 more within 50 NM
50–100 NM
7 airports+1 more within 100 NM
RC flying fields nearby
AMA model-aircraft club fields around this airport: live wind, crosswind & flyability on each page.
- RC Skyhawks - Oneota Park , Spencer, IA · 26 mi
- RC Skyhawks 1 , Spencer, IA · 27 mi
Historical Flying Weather at KEST
2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index
Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, KEST reported VFR conditions during about 76.8% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 250 VFR flying days a year. July had the most VFR weather; December had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 10.1 kt, calm 4.1% of the time.
Full historical breakdown
Flight category by month
| Month | VFR % | MVFR % | IFR % | LIFR % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62.5 | 16.4 | 11.8 | 9.4 |
| Feb | 68.7 | 15.0 | 9.5 | 6.8 |
| Mar | 68.1 | 15.8 | 9.1 | 7.1 |
| Apr | 75.5 | 13.4 | 8.0 | 3.1 |
| May | 80.4 | 11.5 | 5.9 | 2.2 |
| Jun | 87.7 | 7.5 | 3.3 | 1.5 |
| Jul | 89.1 | 6.9 | 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Aug | 83.6 | 8.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 |
| Sep | 85.2 | 8.6 | 3.6 | 2.5 |
| Oct | 80.7 | 10.8 | 5.7 | 2.9 |
| Nov | 74.2 | 15.2 | 6.2 | 4.4 |
| Dec | 59.9 | 16.3 | 12.1 | 11.8 |
Average wind by month
| Month | Mean wind (kt) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 11.5 kt |
| Feb | 11.4 kt |
| Mar | 11.6 kt |
| Apr | 12.6 kt |
| May | 11.2 kt |
| Jun | 9.3 kt |
| Jul | 7.0 kt |
| Aug | 6.6 kt |
| Sep | 7.8 kt |
| Oct | 9.7 kt |
| Nov | 11.0 kt |
| Dec | 11.0 kt |
Historical summary of past observations: not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.
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EST's real runway layout on the back, elevation and tower frequency on the front. Add your tail number on the sleeve.
Pilot PIREPs for Estherville Municipal Airport (KEST)
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 Estherville Municipal 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 KEST 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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