Watertown Regional Airport

KATY / ATY

Watertown, US

Last Updated
Mar 5, 07:20Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 35 min ago
07:20Z

☀️ Day
LIFR
Flight Rules
2°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 2°C
10 kt
160°
--
Visibility
200 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1012 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI KATY 050720Z AUTO 16010KT 3/4SM BR OVC002 02/02 A2987 RMK AO2 T00170017

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 1,749 ft
OVC 200 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
200 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,949 ft AMSL
QNH
1012 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
954 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,749 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,787 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 647 ft
ISA Deviation: -9.5°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KATY 050706Z 0507/0606 16009KT 1 1/2SM BR BKN002 FM051100 14008KT 2SM BR BKN007 FM051400 15010G16KT 3SM BR BKN005 FM051600 15013G21KT P6SM BKN009 FM051700 16014G22KT P6SM SCT130
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
07:55Z BASE
+0h
LIFR 160° 9 kt
Visibility: 1/2SM
Ceiling: 200 ft
Mist
11:00Z FM051100
+4h
IFR 140° 8 kt
Visibility: 2SM
Ceiling: 700 ft
Mist
14:00Z FM051400
+7h
IFR 150° 10 kt
Visibility: 3SM
Ceiling: 500 ft
Mist
16:00Z FM051600
+9h
IFR 150° 13 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 900 ft

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
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°
8.1 kt 5.9 kt
36° angle
✈️ 17/35
Active: 17
6,895 ft 150 ft ASP 180°
9.8 kt 1.7 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 - KATY

5,258 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
61.7%
MVFR
25%
IFR
9.6%
LIFR
3.7%

Watertown Regional Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 61.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 13.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 10.7 knots, with gusts recorded up to 38 knots. Temperature extremes range from -29°C to 31°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, September, March.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 10.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 38 kt
Calm Winds: 8%
Direction Distribution:
N
10.7%
NE
4.4%
E
6.2%
SE
11.3%
S
19.4%
SW
5.6%
W
11.4%
NW
23.1%

Temperature Range

Average: -0.7°C
Range: -29°C to 31°C
-29°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 8.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 4.3%
Fog Frequency: 2.5%

Best Months for VFR

October September March

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.9 kt
Runway 17/35
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.3 kt

Statistics computed from 5,258 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 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.