Yellowstone Airport

KWYS / WYS

West Yellowstone, US

Last Updated
May 15, 02:55Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 19 min ago
02:55Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
11°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -6°C
19 kt
200° G26 kt
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1014 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KWYS 150255Z AUTO 20019G26KT 10SM CLR 11/M06 A2995 RMK AO2

Weather Briefing

VFR

Yellowstone Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southwest (200°) at 19 knots with gusts to 26 knots. Runway 19 is favored with a 19-knot headwind and 3-knot crosswind component (gusting to 5 knots crosswind). Student pilots and low-time aviators should exercise caution.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 11°C (52°F) with a dewpoint of -6°C, indicating very dry conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. Conditions are expected to remain VFR throughout the forecast period.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight.

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

QNH
1014 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
792 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (6,649 ft)
Pressure Alt
6,627 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 7,743 ft
ISA Deviation: +9.3°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KWYS 142333Z 1500/1524 23013G31KT P6SM SCT250 FM150500 VRB06KT P6SM SCT250 FM151600 25012G26KT P6SM FEW250
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
03:13Z BASE
+0h
VFR 230° 13 kt
Visibility: >6SM
05:00Z FM150500
+2h
VFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
Chart Features
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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
WYS
01
19 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 01/19
Active: 19
8,399 ft 150 ft ASP 26°
18.7 kt 3.3 kt
10° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KWYS

5,068 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
89%
MVFR
6.9%
IFR
1.8%
LIFR
2.2%

Yellowstone Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 89% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the SW averaging 9.2 knots, with gusts recorded up to 31 knots. Calm conditions occur 45.4% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -18°C to 25°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are May, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SW (225°)
Average Speed: 9.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 31 kt
Calm Winds: 45.4%
Direction Distribution:
N
4.7%
NE
3.9%
E
1.3%
SE
0.9%
S
8.1%
SW
30.4%
W
3.5%
NW
1.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 5.3°C
Range: -18°C to 25°C
-18°C 25°C

Visibility

Average: 9.7 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.8%
Fog Frequency: 1%

Best Months for VFR

May September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.3 kt

Statistics computed from 5,068 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Yellowstone Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KWYS
IATA Code: WYS
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 6,649 ft MSL

Location

City: West Yellowstone
Country: US
Latitude: 44.688400°
Longitude: -111.117996°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+7

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 8,399 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Yellowstone Airport

Overview

Yellowstone Airport serves the West Yellowstone region, providing critical access to Yellowstone National Park and surrounding wilderness areas. Located at a high elevation of 6,649 feet MSL, this medium airport is strategically positioned near the Wyoming-Montana border, supporting general aviation, charter, and seasonal tourism operations.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences predominantly VFR conditions, with 89.5% of observations showing favorable visual flight rules. Southwest winds prevail at an average of 9 knots, with occasional gusts up to 24 knots, and calm conditions occurring 48.7% of the time. Temperature variations are significant, ranging from -11°C to 24°C, with an average of 7.1°C, which can impact aircraft performance.

Notable Features

Situated in a mountainous region, Yellowstone Airport's high elevation and surrounding terrain demand careful flight planning and performance calculations. The single runway (01/19) is 8,399 feet long with an asphalt surface, providing ample length for most aircraft operations. Pilots should be prepared for potential mountain flying challenges and rapidly changing weather conditions typical of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

Approach Considerations

With a 100% favorable wind condition for runway 01/19 and an average crosswind of just 4.1 knots, the airport offers consistent approach opportunities. September and October represent the most reliable VFR months, with excellent visibility averaging 9.8 statute miles. Pilots should remain vigilant about potential mountain weather effects and prepare for quick meteorological transitions common in high-altitude mountain airports.

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.