Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport

KRKS / RKS

Rock Springs, US

Last Updated
May 14, 17:54Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 38 min ago
17:54Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
16°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -14°C
20 kt
260° G31 kt
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1020 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KRKS 141754Z AUTO 26020G31KT 10SM CLR 16/M14 A3011 RMK AO2 PK WND 26032/1740 SLP121 T01611139 10161 20072 50001

Weather Briefing

VFR

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

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west (260°) at 20 knots with gusts to 31 knots. Runway 27 is favored with a 20-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 16°C (61°F) with a dewpoint of -14°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. Winds are forecast to reach up to 22 knots during the period. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 8 to 22 knots.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. Gusty conditions may exceed demonstrated crosswind components for many general aviation aircraft. Check your aircraft's limitations.

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

QNH
1020 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
795 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (6,764 ft)
Pressure Alt
6,562 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 8,305 ft
ISA Deviation: +14.5°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KRKS 141720Z 1418/1518 27022G35KT P6SM SKC FM150300 25008KT P6SM SKC
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
18:31Z BASE
+0h
VFR 270° 22 kt
Visibility: >6SM
03:00Z FM150300
+9h
VFR 250° 8 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
RKS
03
21
09
27 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
03/21 5,223 ft 75 ft ASP 45°
16.4 kt 11.5 kt
145° angle
✈️ 09/27
Active: 27
10,000 ft 150 ft ASP 103°
19.7 kt 3.5 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 - KRKS

6,334 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
87.6%
MVFR
7.9%
IFR
3.4%
LIFR
1.1%

Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 87.6% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 12.2 knots, with gusts recorded up to 44 knots. Temperature extremes range from -18°C to 27°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, September, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 12.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 44 kt
Calm Winds: 7.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
2.3%
NE
5.7%
E
3.8%
SE
4%
S
10.4%
SW
22.2%
W
41%
NW
3.6%

Temperature Range

Average: 4.5°C
Range: -18°C to 27°C
-18°C 27°C

Visibility

Average: 9.7 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.2%
Fog Frequency: 1.5%

Best Months for VFR

October September February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7.9 kt
Runway 09/27
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5 kt

Statistics computed from 6,334 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KRKS
IATA Code: RKS
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 6,764 ft MSL

Location

City: Rock Springs
Country: US
Latitude: 41.594200°
Longitude: -109.065001°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+7

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 5,223 ft
Width: 75 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 09/27
Length: 10,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport

Overview

Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport serves Rock Springs, Wyoming, as a medium-sized regional airport situated at a high elevation of 6,764 feet MSL. The airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for southwest Wyoming, strategically located in a region with significant energy and transportation infrastructure. Its two substantial runways support diverse aviation needs across commercial, cargo, and general aviation sectors.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KRKS predominantly support visual flight rules (VFR), with 90.5% of observations showing VFR conditions. The airport experiences consistent westerly winds averaging 11.9 knots, with occasional strong gusts up to 43 knots. Temperature variations are significant, ranging from -16°C to 27°C, which pilots should anticipate when planning flights, particularly during seasonal transitions.

Notable Features

The airport's high elevation at 6,764 feet MSL requires careful performance calculations for aircraft, especially during warmer temperatures. Both runways are asphalt-surfaced and offer excellent length, with Runway 09/27 providing an extensive 10,000-foot surface. The airport's geographic location in southwest Wyoming presents potential challenges from mountain wave effects and rapid weather changes typical of intermountain western terrain.

Approach Considerations

Both primary runways offer favorable wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage. Runway 03/21 demonstrates an average crosswind of 7.4 knots, while Runway 09/27 shows a slightly more favorable 5.3-knot average crosswind. September, October, and December statistically offer the most consistent VFR conditions, providing optimal flying windows for pilots navigating this high-elevation regional airport.

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.