Ottumwa Regional Airport

KOTM / OTM

Ottumwa, US

Last Updated
Jun 10, 19:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 58 min ago
19:53Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
25°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 22°C
18 kt
170° G26 kt
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1004 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KOTM 101953Z AUTO 17018G26KT 10SM CLR 25/22 A2966 RMK AO2 PK WND 17026/1953 RAE1856 SLP036 P0000 T02500217

Weather Briefing

VFR

Ottumwa Regional 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 18 knots with gusts to 26 knots. Runway 13/31 is favored with a 14-knot headwind and 12-knot crosswind component (gusting to 17 knots crosswind). Student pilots and low-time aviators should exercise caution.

Visibility & Ceiling

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

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 25°C (77°F) with a dewpoint of 22°C. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread suggests high humidity and potential for visibility restrictions, especially during cooling periods.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 23 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Thunderstorm Rain, Light Showers Rain, Light Thunderstorm Rain. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Thunderstorm Rain between 21:00Z and 02:00Z. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Light Thunderstorm Rain between 13:00Z and 18:00Z.

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
1004 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
976 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (845 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,123 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,526 ft
ISA Deviation: +11.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KOTM 101913Z 1019/1118 20015G22KT P6SM SCT040 SCT070 BKN200 PROB30 1021/1102 4SM TSRA BKN028CB FM110300 23007KT P6SM FEW045 SCT220 FM111300 06009KT P6SM -SHRA SCT040 BKN060 PROB30 1113/1118 P6SM -TSRA BKN040CB
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
20:51Z BASE
+0h
VFR 200° 15 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 20,000 ft
21:00Z PROB30
+1h
MVFR
Visibility: 4SM
Ceiling: 2,800 ft
Thunderstorm Rain
03:00Z FM110300
+7h
VFR 230° 7 kt
Visibility: >6SM

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
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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
OTM
04
22
13 ✈️
31

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
04/22 5,178 ft 200 ft ASP 45°
10.3 kt 14.7 kt
125° angle
✈️ 13/31
Active: 13
5,885 ft 150 ft PEM 135°
13.8 kt 11.6 kt
40° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KOTM

7,706 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
73.9%
MVFR
16.1%
IFR
6.6%
LIFR
3.4%

Ottumwa Regional Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 73.9% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 10% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 9.7 knots, with gusts recorded up to 34 knots. Temperature extremes range from -24°C to 36°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, May, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 9.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 34 kt
Calm Winds: 4.3%
Direction Distribution:
N
10.8%
NE
5.4%
E
11.6%
SE
10.2%
S
19.1%
SW
9%
W
12.9%
NW
16.7%

Temperature Range

Average: 7.5°C
Range: -24°C to 36°C
-24°C 36°C

Visibility

Average: 9.2 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.5%
Fog Frequency: 2.9%

Best Months for VFR

October May September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 04/22
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 7 kt
Runway 13/31
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.2 kt

Statistics computed from 7,706 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Ottumwa Regional Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KOTM
IATA Code: OTM
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 845 ft MSL

Location

City: Ottumwa
Country: US
Latitude: 41.106368°
Longitude: -92.449837°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 04/22
Length: 5,178 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 13/31
Length: 5,885 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No

About Ottumwa Regional Airport

Overview

Ottumwa Regional Airport serves the southeastern Iowa region as a medium-sized airport located at 41.106368, -92.449837. Situated at an elevation of 845 feet MSL, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for Wapello County and surrounding areas. Its two runways support a variety of general aviation, training, and potential regional commercial operations.

Flying Conditions

Weather observations indicate predominantly favorable flying conditions, with 69.4% of recorded periods under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The prevailing northwest winds at an average of 9.1 knots provide stable conditions, though pilots should be prepared for occasional wind gusts up to 33 knots. Temperature ranges from -24°C to 36°C suggest significant seasonal variation, with September, October, and November offering the most consistent VFR weather.

Notable Features

Both runways offer excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage. Runway 04/22 (5,178 feet of asphalt) and Runway 13/31 (5,885 feet of pavement) provide flexible operational options with relatively low average crosswind conditions. The airport's moderate elevation and geographic location in southeastern Iowa contribute to predictable meteorological patterns.

Approach Considerations

Pilots should anticipate generally good visibility averaging 8.9 statute miles, with only 3.6% of observations showing visibility below 3 miles. Fog occurs in approximately 5.1% of observations, primarily affecting low-visibility approaches. The consistent northwest wind suggests Runway 13/31 might offer slightly more favorable approach conditions with its lower average crosswind of 4.6 knots compared to Runway 04/22's 6.9 knots.

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.