KRCA — Current METAR, Ellsworth AFB, SD, US
Plain-English decode of the latest observation. Updates roughly hourly.
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Learn to read it yourself
This isn't just an hourly weather lookup — it's a way to learn the code. Every report opens with the raw METAR and TAF you can tap group by group to reveal what each piece means, so you can try to read it first and then check yourself. New to the format? Start with the METAR & TAF code reference →
Flight category
VFR
Visual conditions — ceiling > 3,000 ft and visibility > 5 sm.
What do VFR, MVFR, IFR & LIFR mean?▾
| Category | Ceiling | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| VFRVisual Flight Rules | greater than 3,000 ft AGL | andgreater than 5 sm |
| MVFRMarginal VFR | 1,000 to 3,000 ft AGL | and/or3 to 5 sm |
| IFRInstrument Flight Rules | 500 to below 1,000 ft AGL | and/or1 to less than 3 sm |
| LIFRLow IFR | below 500 ft AGL | and/orless than 1 sm |
Raw METAR · observed 091555Z
👆 Tap any group above to decode it.
Decoded METAR
Raw TAF · issued 080300Z
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Decoded TAF — forecast
Base forecast — valid the 8th at 03:00 UTC to the 9th at 09:00 UTC
- Wind variable direction at 6 knots.
- Visibility 10 km or more.
- Few clouds at 15,000 ft AGL.
Becoming, the 8th at 16:00 UTC to the 8th at 17:00 UTC
- Wind from 190° at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots.
- Visibility 10 km or more.
- Scattered clouds at 12,000 ft AGL.
Becoming, the 8th at 23:00 UTC to the 8th at 24:00 UTC
- Wind variable direction at 6 knots.
- Visibility 10 km or more.
- Scattered clouds at 10,000 ft AGL.
- Broken clouds at 12,000 ft AGL.
Source: NOAA/FAA Aviation Weather Center. For information only — not for flight planning or navigation; always use official briefing sources.
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