Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (KRKS) Aviation Weather: METAR & TAF
As of 2:54 AM MDT, Oct 28, KRKS is currently VFR with winds from 330° at 11 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 8,000 ft ceiling.
Live aviation weather for Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport in Rock Springs, WY, including METAR, TAF, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter and runway crosswinds.
Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (KRKS) is a regional airport serving Rock Springs, WY at a field elevation of 6,765 ft. KRKS 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 (03/21, 09/27), the longest 10,002 ft. The official FAA airport diagram is at the bottom of the page.
Wind from the north-northwest (330°) at 11 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, a few clouds at 1,400 ft, broken clouds at 8,000 ft, overcast at 9,500 ft, temperature 3°C (38°F), altimeter 30.02 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR), ceiling 8,000 ft.
METAR KRKS 280854Z AUTO 33011KT 10SM FEW014 BKN080 OVC095 03/00 A3002 RMK AO2 PK WND 32029/0828 WSHFT 0753 SLP131 T00330000 53020
What changed at KRKS?
Since the 0813Z (2:13 AM MDT) report, compared automatically against the latest METAR.
- Wind direction moved from 300° to 330°.
- Wind speed down from 17 to 11 kt.
- Gusts are no longer reported.
- Pressure rising: altimeter 29.99 → 30.02 inHg.
Current pilot readout for KRKS
KRKS is currently VFR with winds from 330° at 11 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 8,000 ft ceiling. the wind favors west-facing runway ends (27). Density altitude is approximately 6,850 ft (field elevation 6,765 ft). Review the latest TAF below for forecast changes before departure.
KRKS 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 RKS in the 12 months to October 2026. Delays here come from the airlines or from programs at other airports rather than from RKS's own airspace.
KRKS reported VFR in 92% of daylight observations over 20 years, about 307 flyable days a year. July is the most reliable month and December the least, with IFR or worse 7% of the time. When conditions drop it is usually fog and low visibility rather than low ceilings (visibility under 3 miles 3% of hours, ceilings under 1,000 ft 1%).
Over 20 years of hourly winds, runway 21 had the best headwind 44% of the time, runway 27 33%, and winds were calm 12% of hours. Winds most often blow from the west. Crosswind on the best available runway topped 15 kt in under 1% of hours.
Snow fell on about 71 days a year and freezing rain or drizzle on 0. From December to February KRKS was IFR or worse 7% of the time, against under 1% from June to August.
Thunderstorms were reported on about 32 days a year. 64% of storm hours fall in June, July and August, peaking in July when storms were in the air 1% of the time.
Field elevation is 6,765 ft, but on a median summer afternoon the air performs like 9,451 ft, 2,686 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27FAV | 10,002 ft | ASP | 8 kt head | 8 kt right |
| 03 | 5,228 ft | ASP | 3 kt head | 11 kt left |
| 21 | 5,228 ft | ASP | 3 kt tail | 11 kt right |
| 09 | 10,002 ft | ASP | 8 kt tail | 8 kt left |
Open the crosswind calculator to try your own wind and runway numbers →
KRKS 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 03/215,228 × 75 ft · ASPCurrent useno stated-runway source at KRKSWind
- 03
- 3 kt headwind · 11 kt crosswind from left
- 21
- 3 kt tailwind · 11 kt crosswind from right
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence → - Restricted (NOTAM)Runway 09/2710,002 × 150 ft · ASPCurrent useno stated-runway source at KRKSWind
- 09
- 8 kt tailwind · 8 kt crosswind from left
- 27
- 8 kt headwind · 8 kt crosswind from right
1 active equipment NOTAMView 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 23 h: wind 8→11 kt, ceiling 2,800 ft → 8,000 ft.
KRKS 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.
Recent aviation weather trends at KRKS
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, KRKS reported mostly VFR across 27 observations, with 1 flight-category change. The strongest gust reached 24 kt, the lowest ceiling was 2,800 ft. Wind most often came from the SW.
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
Share of hours each runway had the most headwind. From wind reports, not ATC assignments.
- 21
- 47%
- 27
- 20%
- 09
- 19%
- 03
- 14%
TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 0527Z (11:27 PM MDT)
TAF KRKS 280527Z 2806/2906 31008KT P6SM BKN120 FM280900 24012G18KT P6SM VCSH BKN050 FM281300 23008KT P6SM SCT080 FM281700 27010KT P6SM SCT250 FM290000 23005KT P6SM FEW250
New to TAFs? How to read one →
Get KRKS weather alerts in Telegram
Stop refreshing aviation weather manually. Track KRKS 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 KRKS free on TelegramLive KRKS Weather
Live crosswind meter
Measured by KRKS's own weather station.
Wind is 47° off runway 27, the end with the most headwind right now.
Asphalt · 10,002 ft. Headings from FAA runway data. Not for navigation.
Field aerial
North up
Runway 03/21, 09/27 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-1+
- Attended
- Daily 0400-2200 local
- Repairs
- Airframe & engine, minor
- Oxygen
- Bottled, high & low pressure
- Transient parking
- Tie-downs · Hangars
- Landing fee
- No
- Other services
- Air freight · Air ambulance · Cargo handling · Charter · Flight instruction · Aircraft rental
- Control tower
- None
- Wind indicator
- Lighted
Airport
- Type
- Regional airport
- ICAO
- KRKS
- IATA
- RKS
- FAA LID
- RKS
- City
- Rock Springs
- State
- Wyoming
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 6,765 ft
- Coordinates
- 41.5942, -109.0650
- Runways
- 2 physical runways · 4 runway ends
- Longest runway
- 10,002 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Published
- AWOS/ASOS
- 118.375 MHz
- Time zone
- America/Denver
- Next sunset
- 15h 13m
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed KRKS'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
1 airport25–50 NM
3 airports50–100 NM
8 airports+2 more within 100 NM
Historical Flying Weather at KRKS
2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index
Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, KRKS reported VFR conditions during about 92.3% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 307 VFR flying days a year. July had the most VFR weather; December had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 10.0 kt, calm 8.2% of the time.
Full historical breakdown
Flight category by month
| Month | VFR % | MVFR % | IFR % | LIFR % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85.7 | 7.8 | 3.9 | 2.6 |
| Feb | 86.7 | 7.5 | 3.7 | 2.2 |
| Mar | 88.9 | 5.8 | 3.3 | 2.1 |
| Apr | 89.6 | 6.1 | 2.6 | 1.7 |
| May | 92.2 | 5.0 | 1.8 | 1.0 |
| Jun | 98.5 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Jul | 99.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 98.7 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Sep | 96.7 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Oct | 93.1 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 1.0 |
| Nov | 92.2 | 4.3 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Dec | 85.0 | 7.7 | 4.2 | 3.2 |
Average wind by month
| Month | Mean wind (kt) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 11.2 kt |
| Feb | 12.2 kt |
| Mar | 10.8 kt |
| Apr | 11.5 kt |
| May | 10.2 kt |
| Jun | 9.4 kt |
| Jul | 8.0 kt |
| Aug | 7.8 kt |
| Sep | 8.3 kt |
| Oct | 9.9 kt |
| Nov | 10.2 kt |
| Dec | 10.8 kt |
Historical summary of past observations: not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.
KRKS 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 RKS shirt or mug
RKS's real runway layout on the back, elevation and tower frequency on the front. Add your tail number on the sleeve.
Pilot PIREPs for Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (KRKS)
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 Southwest Wyoming 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 KRKS 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.
Spotted incorrect airport info? ✏️ Suggest an edit