Yellowstone Airport

KWYS / WYS

West Yellowstone, US

Last Updated
Apr 23, 09:15Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 12 min ago
09:15Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
0°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 0°C
8 kt
220°
10 SM
Visibility
5,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1008 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KWYS 230915Z AUTO 22008KT 10SM FEW045 OVC050 M00/M00 A2977 RMK AO2

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 6,649 ft
FEW 4,500 ft AGL
OVC 5,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
4,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
11,149 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
5,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
11,649 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Yellowstone Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with overcast skies at 5,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southwest (220°) at 8 knots. Runway 19 is favored with a 7-knot headwind and 4-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 5000 feet AGL (overcast), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 0°C (32°F) with a dewpoint of 0°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely. 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 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: Light Snow, Mist, Light Showers Snow, Mist. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast between 06:00Z and 09:00Z. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast between 09:00Z and 13:00Z.

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. 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
1008 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
786 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (6,649 ft)
Pressure Alt
6,807 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 6,603 ft
ISA Deviation: -1.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KWYS 230537Z 2306/2406 23009KT 3SM -SN BR BKN004 TEMPO 2306/2309 OVC035 FM230900 VRB06KT P6SM BKN004 TEMPO 2309/2313 OVC035 FM231800 27010G25KT 3SM -SHSN BR SCT003 BKN025 FM240200 VRB06KT P6SM SCT003 OVC015
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
09:27Z BASE
+0h
LIFR 230° 9 kt
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 400 ft
Light Snow, Mist
18:00Z FM231800
+9h
MVFR 270° 10 kt
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 2,500 ft
Light Showers Snow, Mist

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°
6.9 kt 4.0 kt
30° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KWYS

3,536 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
87.5%
MVFR
8.1%
IFR
2.1%
LIFR
2.3%

Yellowstone Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 87.5% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the SW averaging 9.4 knots. Calm conditions occur 46.2% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -18°C to 24°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, April.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SW (225°)
Average Speed: 9.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 25 kt
Calm Winds: 46.2%
Direction Distribution:
N
2.7%
NE
2.2%
E
1.3%
SE
1.1%
S
9.4%
SW
33%
W
2.9%
NW
1.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 6°C
Range: -18°C to 24°C
-18°C 24°C

Visibility

Average: 9.7 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.8%
Fog Frequency: 1.2%

Best Months for VFR

September October April

Runway Wind Analysis

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

Statistics computed from 3,536 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 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.