Ellsworth Air Force Base (KRCA) Area Aviation Weather & Runway Winds
Aviation weather near Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD, decoded from the nearest reporting station (KRAP): conditions, runway crosswinds, and free Telegram airport alerts.
Ellsworth Air Force Base (KRCA) is a regional airport serving Rapid City, SD at 3,276 ft. KRCA has no weather station of its own. Conditions here are decoded from KRAP, about 6 nm away, the nearest reporting station, and local conditions can differ. Its 2 runways (13, 31), longest 13,497 ft, are checked against the current wind in the crosswind table below. The official FAA airport diagram is at the bottom of the page. Track it in the ATIS Alerts Telegram bot to get alerts read from KRAP, the station this page is based on.
No weather station at this airport: showing the nearest station KRAP, 6.3 nm away.
Wind from the northeast (050°) at 5 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, no cloud data, temperature 10°C (50°F), altimeter 30.08 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
METAR KRAP 130952Z AUTO 05005KT 10SM CLR 10/04 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP174 T01000039
What changed at KRAP (nearest station)?
Since the 0852Z (2:52 AM MDT) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.
- Wind speed up from 0 to 5 kt.
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Current pilot readout for KRCA
Based on the nearest station (KRAP), KRCA is currently VFR with winds from 050° at 5 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway 13, about 5 knots. Density altitude is approximately 3,250 ft (field elevation 3,276 ft). Review the latest TAF below for forecast changes before departure.
⚠️ 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 →
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Track KRCA 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 KRCA. This is intended as a planning aid only and should not replace official performance calculations or pilot judgment.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13FAV | 13,497 ft | CON | 0 kt head | 5 kt left |
| 31 | 13,497 ft | CON | 0 kt head | 5 kt right |
Open the crosswind calculator to 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 8→5 kt, ceiling 8,000 ft → unlimited.
KRCA weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast. Drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
Live weather radar around Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD: 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 KRCA is headed.
Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © Stadia Maps © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap
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.
Recent aviation weather trends at KRCA
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, the nearest station KRAP reported mostly VFR across 24 observations, with 0 flight-category changes. The strongest gust reached 18 kt, the lowest ceiling was 7,000 ft. Wind most often came from the E.
- 13
- 53%
- 31
- 47%
TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 0520Z (11:20 PM MDT)
TAF KRAP 130520Z 1306/1406 VRB06KT P6SM FEW200 FM131800 13012G25KT P6SM SKC FM140200 16015G28KT P6SM BKN050 PROB30 1402/1406 P6SM -TSRA BKN050CB
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Airport facts
Reference data from the OurAirports dataset.
- Type
- Regional airport
- ICAO
- KRCA
- IATA
- RCA
- FAA LID
- RCA
- City
- Rapid City
- State
- South Dakota
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 3,276 ft
- Coordinates
- 44.1450, -103.1040
- Runways
- 2
- Longest runway
- 13,497 ft
- Weather reporting
- Nearest station KRAP
- TAF
- Nearest KRAP
- ATIS
- 120.625 MHz
- Time zone
- America/Denver
- Next sunset
- 14h 54m
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed KRCA'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
7 airports+1 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.
- Propbusters 1 , Rapid City, SD · 4 mi
- RC Aces - Deadwood Ave , Rapid City, SD · 9 mi
KRCA airport diagram
Official FAA taxiway and runway layout. Tap to zoom.
The FAA airport diagram for Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD shows the runway and taxiway layout across 2 runways, ramp areas, and hold-short positions. Review it before taxiing at an unfamiliar field.
Official FAA airport diagram · d-TPP cycle 2610 · Not for navigation. Download the official FAA PDF ↗
KRCA weather: frequently asked
What runways are available at KRCA?+
KRCA has 2 runways: 13, 31; the longest is 13,497 ft. This page computes the live crosswind for each runway end from the current wind.
Where does the weather shown for KRCA come from?+
Ellsworth Air Force Base does not have its own weather station. Conditions shown here come from the nearest reporting station, KRAP, about 6 nm away, close enough for situational awareness, but local conditions at KRCA can differ.
Does KRCA have a TAF?+
Yes. The KRAP TAF is shown on this page below the current conditions.
Does KRCA broadcast D-ATIS?+
No. KRCA does not broadcast D-ATIS. Alerts for KRCA from the ATIS Alerts bot (@atisalerts_bot) are based on its METAR (via the nearest reporting station) instead.
Where can I find the KRCA airport diagram?+
The official FAA airport diagram for Ellsworth Air Force Base (KRCA) is shown on this page. It maps the runway and taxiway layout, ramps, and hold-short lines. Tap it to zoom, or download the official FAA PDF free from the link under the diagram (updated every 28-day FAA charting cycle).
Pilot PIREPs for Ellsworth Air Force Base (KRCA)
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 Ellsworth Air Force Base, 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 KRCA 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.
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⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
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