Orcas Island Airport

KORS / ESD

Eastsound, US

Last Updated
Apr 23, 07:35Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 14 min ago
07:35Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
11°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 9°C
12 kt
170°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KORS 230735Z AUTO 17012KT 10SM CLR 11/09 A3010 RMK AO2

Weather Briefing

VFR

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

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south (170°) at 12 knots. Runway 16/34 is favored with a 12-knot headwind and 2-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

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

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 11°C (52°F) with a dewpoint of 9°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours.

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

QNH
1019 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1018 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (31 ft)
Pressure Alt
-142 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -615 ft
ISA Deviation: -3.9°C

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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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
ORS
16
34 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 16/34
Active: 34
2,900 ft 60 ft ASPH-G
11.8 kt 2.1 kt
170° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KORS

14,504 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
73%
MVFR
19.6%
IFR
3.4%
LIFR
4%

Orcas Island Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 73% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 7.4% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8 knots. Calm conditions occur 38% of the time. Temperatures typically range between -1°C and 21°C with an average of 9.2°C. The best months for VFR flying are April, October, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 25 kt
Calm Winds: 38%
Direction Distribution:
N
7.6%
NE
2.1%
E
0.3%
SE
3.8%
S
40.2%
SW
2%
W
0.2%
NW
5.7%

Temperature Range

Average: 9.2°C
Range: -1°C to 21°C
-1°C 21°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.1%
Fog Frequency: 1.2%

Best Months for VFR

April October September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 16/34
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.2 kt

Statistics computed from 14,504 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Orcas Island Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KORS
IATA Code: ESD
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 31 ft MSL

Location

City: Eastsound
Country: US
Latitude: 48.708199°
Longitude: -122.910004°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 16/34
Length: 2,900 ft
Width: 60 ft
Surface: ASPH-G
ILS: No

About Orcas Island Airport

Overview

Orcas Island Airport serves the San Juan Islands region in Washington State, located in Eastsound at a modest elevation of 31 feet MSL. This medium-sized airport provides critical transportation infrastructure for the island community, supporting general aviation operations with its single 2,900-foot asphalt runway oriented 16/34.

Flying Conditions

Weather observations indicate predominantly favorable VFR conditions, with 68.9% of recorded METARs showing clear flying conditions. The airport experiences a moderate maritime climate, with temperatures ranging from 1°C to 21°C and an average of 10.5°C. Wind patterns are characterized by southerly flows at an average of 8.2 knots, with calm conditions occurring 39% of the time.

Notable Features

Situated at coordinates 48.708199, -122.910004, the airport is positioned in a coastal island environment with potential for challenging terrain and localized weather variations. The surrounding San Juan Islands landscape may introduce microclimatic effects that pilots should anticipate, particularly regarding visibility and wind conditions around the approach and departure paths.

Approach Considerations

Runway 16/34 demonstrates excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage and a minimal average crosswind of just 2.2 knots. Pilots can expect optimal VFR conditions during autumn months (September, October, November), with consistently good visibility averaging 8.8 statute miles and minimal fog interference.

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.