Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport

KRKS / RKS

Rock Springs, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 18:54Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 37 min ago
18:54Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
4°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: -2°C
3 kt
150°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1018 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KRKS 041854Z AUTO 15003KT 10SM CLR 04/M02 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP182 T00391022
QNH
1018 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
793 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (6,764 ft)
Pressure Alt
6,622 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 6,925 ft
ISA Deviation: +2.5°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KRKS 041732Z 0418/0518 24006KT P6SM SKC FM050200 19009KT P6SM SCT200 FM051100 25013G22KT P6SM BKN140 FM051600 27015G25KT P6SM OVC050
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
19:30Z BASE
+0h
VFR 240° 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
02:00Z FM050200
+7h
VFR 190° 9 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
RKS
03
21
09 ✈️
27

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
03/21 5,223 ft 75 ft ASP 45°
0.8 kt 2.9 kt
105° angle
✈️ 09/27
Active: 09
10,000 ft 150 ft ASP 103°
1.5 kt 2.6 kt
60° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KRKS

4,415 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
88.7%
MVFR
7.5%
IFR
2.8%
LIFR
1%

Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 88.7% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 11.8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 43 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: 11.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 43 kt
Calm Winds: 8%
Direction Distribution:
N
2.7%
NE
4.2%
E
3.4%
SE
4.5%
S
11.3%
SW
23.6%
W
39%
NW
3.2%

Temperature Range

Average: 3.5°C
Range: -18°C to 27°C
-18°C 27°C

Visibility

Average: 9.7 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.1%
Fog Frequency: 1.3%

Best Months for VFR

October September February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7.4 kt
Runway 09/27
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.1 kt

Statistics computed from 4,415 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 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.