Rochester International Airport

KRST / RST

Rochester, US

Last Updated
Jul 4, 11:14Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 38 min ago
11:14Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
19°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 19°C
3 kt
200°
3 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1016 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KRST 041114Z 20003KT 3SM BR CLR 19/19 A3000 RMK AO2 T01890189

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Rochester International Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with clear skies and 3 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southwest (200°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 3 SM, below VFR minimums in some airspace classifications. Check local requirements before departing VFR. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 19°C (66°F) with a dewpoint of 19°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 19 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Mist, Light Thunderstorm Rain. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Mist between 11:00Z and 13:00Z. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Light Thunderstorm Rain between 20:00Z and 00:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1016 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
972 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,317 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,235 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,031 ft
ISA Deviation: +6.6°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KRST 041042Z 0411/0506 VRB04KT 4SM BR BKN150 TEMPO 0411/0413 2SM BR FM041300 12006KT P6SM BKN090 PROB30 0420/0424 5SM -TSRA BKN050CB FM050300 35007KT P6SM VCTS OVC100CB
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:51Z BASE
+0h
MVFR VRB 4 kt
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 15,000 ft
Mist
13:00Z FM041300
+2h
VFR 120° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 9,000 ft
20:00Z PROB30
+9h
MVFR
Visibility: 5SM
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
Light Thunderstorm Rain

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
RST
02
20 ✈️
13
31

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 02/20
Active: 20
7,300 ft 150 ft CON 26°
3.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
13/31 9,033 ft 150 ft CON 132°
1.1 kt 2.8 kt
68° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KRST

9,187 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
65.6%
MVFR
20.3%
IFR
9.4%
LIFR
4.7%

Rochester International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 65.6% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 14.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 11.3 knots, with gusts recorded up to 37 knots. Temperature extremes range from -30°C to 31°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, May, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 11.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 37 kt
Calm Winds: 2.2%
Direction Distribution:
E
6.8%
N
9.6%
S
21.9%
W
13.2%
NE
4.2%
NW
23%
SE
12%
SW
7.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 4.6°C
Range: -30°C to 31°C
-30°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 8.3 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.8%
Fog Frequency: 5.1%

Best Months for VFR

October May September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 02/20
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7.8 kt
Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.5 kt

Statistics computed from 9,187 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Rochester International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KRST
IATA Code: RST
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,317 ft MSL

Location

City: Rochester
Country: US
Latitude: 43.908298°
Longitude: -92.500000°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 02/20
Length: 7,300 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 13/31
Length: 9,033 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Rochester International Airport

Overview

Rochester International Airport serves southeastern Minnesota as a medium-sized airport situated at 1317 feet mean sea level. Located near Rochester, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for regional transportation and serves diverse aviation needs. Its strategic position and substantial runway infrastructure support multiple aircraft types and operational requirements.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Rochester demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions predominating at 58.8% of observations. Pilots should anticipate northwest winds averaging 11.1 knots, with temperature ranges extending from -30°C to 31°C. Reduced visibility occurs in approximately 7.7% of observations, with fog present in 8.6% of reports, suggesting potential instrument meteorological conditions.

Notable Features

The airport features two substantial concrete runways: Runway 02/20 measuring 7,300 feet and Runway 13/31 extending 9,033 feet. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with Runway 02/20 experiencing an average crosswind of 8 knots and Runway 13/31 experiencing a lower average crosswind of 4.9 knots. These characteristics provide pilots with flexible operational capabilities across different wind conditions.

Approach Considerations

Optimal visual flight conditions are most prevalent during autumn months, specifically October, September, and November. Wind patterns consistently favor northwest directions at 315 degrees, with calm conditions occurring in only 2.1% of observations. Pilots should prepare for potential instrument approaches, given that non-VFR conditions (MVFR, IFR, LIFR) collectively represent 41.2% of meteorological observations.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.