Key Lake Airport

CYKJ / YKJ

Key Lake, CA

Last Updated
Mar 15, 10:33Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 21 min ago
10:33Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
-35°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -40°C
2 kt
300°
9 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1024 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI CYKJ 151033Z AUTO 30002KT 9SM CLR M35/M40 A3024 RMK SLP326

Weather Briefing

VFR

Key Lake Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies and 9 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west-northwest (300°) at 2 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 9 SM. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is -35°C (-31°F) with a dewpoint of -40°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions. Temperatures are at or below freezing. Check for icing conditions and ensure aircraft anti-ice/de-ice systems are operational if required.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 12 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: Ice Crystals, Ice Crystals, FCST, FCST. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Ice Crystals between 10:00Z and 14:00Z. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Ice Crystals, FCST, FCST between 14:00Z and 22:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. 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
1024 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
968 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,679 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,357 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -4,240 ft
ISA Deviation: -46.6°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF CYKJ 150940Z 1510/1522 VRB03KT P6SM SKC TEMPO 1510/1514 2SM IC FM151400 VRB03KT P6SM FEW140 TEMPO 1514/1522 4SM IC RMK FCST BASED ON AUTO OBS. NXT FCST BY 151300Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
10:53Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >6SM
14:00Z FM151400
+4h
VFR VRB 3 kt
Visibility: >6SM
14:00Z TEMPO
+4h
MVFR
Visibility: 4SM
Ice Crystals, FCST, FCST

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
YKJ
03 ✈️
21

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 03/21
Active: 03
5,200 ft 180 ft GRAVEL
0.0 kt 2.0 kt
90° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - CYKJ

8,397 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
48%
MVFR
38.6%
IFR
11.1%
LIFR
2.3%

Key Lake Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 48% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 13.4% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 7 knots. Temperature extremes range from -46°C to 27°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, March, December.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 28 kt
Calm Winds: 5%
Direction Distribution:
N
7%
NE
4.3%
E
11%
SE
7.7%
S
13.7%
SW
9.9%
W
21.5%
NW
19.9%

Temperature Range

Average: -13.4°C
Range: -46°C to 27°C
-46°C 27°C

Visibility

Average: 7.6 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.9%
Fog Frequency: 0.8%

Best Months for VFR

September March December

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.1 kt

Statistics computed from 8,397 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Key Lake Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: CYKJ
IATA Code: YKJ
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,679 ft MSL

Location

City: Key Lake
Country: CA
Latitude: 57.256100°
Longitude: -105.617996°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+7

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 5,200 ft
Width: 180 ft
Surface: GRAVEL
ILS: No

Nearby Airports

VFR MVFR IFR LIFR No Data

About Key Lake Airport

Overview

Key Lake Airport serves the remote northern Saskatchewan region, situated at an elevation of 1679 ft MSL in central Canada. Located at coordinates 57.256100, -105.617996, this medium-sized airport provides critical access to a geographically isolated area. The airport features a single gravel runway 03/21, extending 5200 feet to support regional and resource-sector aviation operations.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect significant variability in weather conditions, with visual flight rules (VFR) conditions present 47.5% of the time and marginal VFR an additional 38.3% of observations. Temperature ranges dramatically from -42°C to 27°C, with an average of -10°C, presenting potential challenges for aircraft performance and cold-weather operations. Prevailing westerly winds average 7.2 knots, with occasional gusts up to 28 knots.

Notable Features

The gravel runway presents unique operational considerations, requiring appropriate aircraft and technique for surface interactions. The airport's northern latitude and elevated terrain suggest potential challenges with rapidly changing meteorological conditions. Pilots should anticipate potential reduced visibility, with observations showing an average visibility of 7.7 statute miles and occasional periods below 3 miles.

Approach Considerations

Runway 03/21 demonstrates favorable wind alignment, with 100% compatibility to prevailing winds and an average crosswind component of 5.3 knots. September, December, and January historically offer the most consistent visual flight conditions. Pilots should prepare for potential rapid weather transitions and ensure appropriate cold-weather and gravel runway equipment and techniques are employed.

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.