Watertown Regional Airport

KATY / ATY

Watertown, US

Last Updated
Jul 5, 10:51Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 4 min ago
10:51Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
16°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 16°C
0 kt
4 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1017 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KATY 051051Z AUTO 00000KT 4SM BR CLR 16/16 A3004 RMK AO2

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Watertown Regional Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with clear skies and 4 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are calm, presenting no crosswind concerns for any runway.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 4 SM, below VFR minimums in some airspace classifications. Check local requirements before departing VFR. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 16°C (61°F) with a dewpoint of 16°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 24 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, Fog. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Fog between 11:00Z and 13:00Z.

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
1017 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
959 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,749 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,637 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,177 ft
ISA Deviation: +4.5°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KATY 050520Z 0506/0606 15006KT P6SM SKC FM050900 00000KT 4SM BR FEW040 SCT050 FM051100 00000KT 3/4SM BR FEW050 SCT160 TEMPO 0511/0513 1/2SM FG FM051300 00000KT P6SM FEW045 SCT220 FM060000 12005KT P6SM FEW050 FEW250
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
10:55Z BASE
+0h
VFR 150° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
11:00Z FM051100
+1h
MVFR
Visibility: 3/4SM
Mist
11:00Z TEMPO
+1h
IFR
Visibility: 1/2SM
Fog
13:00Z FM051300
+3h
VFR
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
ATY
12
30
17
35

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
12/30 6,900 ft 150 ft ASP 124°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
124° angle
17/35 6,895 ft 150 ft ASP 180°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
180° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KATY

8,946 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
65.5%
MVFR
20.4%
IFR
9.6%
LIFR
4.5%

Watertown Regional Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 65.5% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 14.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 10.8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 38 knots. Temperature extremes range from -29°C to 33°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are July, June, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 10.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 38 kt
Calm Winds: 7.7%
Direction Distribution:
E
6.9%
N
13.6%
S
17.7%
W
9.9%
NE
5.4%
NW
20.3%
SE
12.6%
SW
5.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 3.5°C
Range: -29°C to 33°C
-29°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.7%
Fog Frequency: 2.4%

Best Months for VFR

July June October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 6.2 kt
Runway 17/35
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.3 kt

Statistics computed from 8,946 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Watertown Regional Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KATY
IATA Code: ATY
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,749 ft MSL

Location

City: Watertown
Country: US
Latitude: 44.914001°
Longitude: -97.154701°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 12/30
Length: 6,900 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 17/35
Length: 6,895 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Watertown Regional Airport

Overview

Watertown Regional Airport serves the northeastern South Dakota region as a medium-sized airport located at an elevation of 1,749 feet MSL. Situated at coordinates 44.914001, -97.154701, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for Watertown and surrounding communities. Its two parallel asphalt runways offer robust capabilities for various aircraft operations.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly favorable Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions, with 60.8% of observations showing clear weather and an additional 24.5% in Marginal VFR conditions. Temperature variability is significant, ranging from -29°C to 31°C, with an average of 0.9°C. Visibility typically remains excellent, averaging 8.8 statute miles, though pilots should be prepared for occasional reduced visibility periods.

Notable Features

The airport features two nearly identical asphalt runways: 12/30 at 6,900 feet and 17/35 at 6,895 feet. Prevailing winds consistently blow from the northwest at 315 degrees, with an average speed of 10.9 knots and occasional gusts up to 38 knots. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with modest average crosswind components of 5.8 and 5.2 knots respectively.

Approach Considerations

September through November represent the most consistently favorable flying months, with optimal VFR conditions. Wind patterns suggest minimal runway selection challenges, as both runways have identical favorable wind characteristics. Pilots should anticipate potential wind variability, with calm conditions occurring in 8.1% of observations and be prepared for occasional low visibility scenarios, which occur in approximately 4.8% of recorded 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.