Margaret Ekpo International Airport

DNCA / CBQ

Calabar, NG

Last Updated
Apr 12, 12:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Stale 259 hours ago
12:00Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
30°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 27°C
3 kt
260°
8 km
Visibility
1,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR DNCA 121200Z 26003KT 8000 TS BKN010 FEW019CB 30/27 Q1010

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 210 ft
BKN 1,000 ft AGL
FEW 1,900 ft AGL (CB)
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
1,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,210 ft AMSL
🌤️
FEW (CB)
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
1,900 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,110 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Margaret Ekpo International Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with broken clouds at 1,000 feet and 8 km visibility. Note: This observation is 259.4 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west (260°) at 3 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 8 km, below VFR minimums in some airspace classifications. Check local requirements before departing VFR. The ceiling is 1000 feet AGL (broken), placing conditions in the MVFR category. Caution: cumulonimbus (thunderstorm) clouds reported at 1,900 ft AGL, indicating convective activity in the area.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 30°C (86°F) with a dewpoint of 27°C. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread suggests high humidity and potential for visibility restrictions, especially during cooling periods.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

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
  • • Hover for exact values and timestamps
  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
  • • Zoom and pan for detailed analysis
  • • Units automatically converted to preferences
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
NCA
03
21 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 03/21
Active: 21
8,040 ft 148 ft ASP 27°
1.9 kt 2.3 kt
50° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - DNCA

716 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
1.4%
MVFR
70.3%
IFR
28.2%
LIFR
0.1%

Margaret Ekpo International Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 1.4% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 28.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 6.4 knots. Calm conditions occur 23.1% of the time. The climate is relatively stable with temperatures averaging 28.3°C (range: 22°C to 35°C). The best months for VFR flying are March, February, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 6.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 17 kt
Calm Winds: 23.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
5.4%
NE
2.7%
E
4.7%
SE
1.1%
S
23.5%
SW
12.2%
W
20.3%
NW
6.9%

Temperature Range

Average: 28.3°C
Range: 22°C to 35°C
22°C 35°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.1%

Best Months for VFR

March February October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.8 kt

Statistics computed from 716 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Margaret Ekpo International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: DNCA
IATA Code: CBQ
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 210 ft MSL

Location

City: Calabar
Country: NG
Latitude: 4.976020°
Longitude: 8.347200°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-1

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 8,040 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Margaret Ekpo International Airport

Overview

Margaret Ekpo International Airport serves Calabar, Nigeria, functioning as a medium-sized airport at an elevation of 210 feet above mean sea level. Located at coordinates 4.976020, 8.347200, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for southeastern Nigeria. Its single runway (03/21) extends 8,040 feet with an asphalt surface, accommodating regional and domestic aircraft operations.

Flying Conditions

Meteorological data indicates predominantly marginal VFR conditions, with 72.3% of observations showing MVFR status and 26.9% reporting IFR conditions. Wind patterns are consistently southerly, averaging 6.2 knots with a maximum recorded speed of 17 knots. Temperature stability is notable, ranging between 22°C and 34°C with an average of 28°C, suggesting relatively predictable thermal conditions for flight planning.

Notable Features

The airport demonstrates wind characteristics favorable for runway 03/21, with 100% wind compatibility and an average crosswind of just 3.7 knots. Visibility is consistently strong, averaging 10 statute miles with minimal instances of reduced visibility. Calm wind conditions occur in 23.7% of observations, indicating potential need for careful wind assessment during approach and departure.

Approach Considerations

October, November, and January represent the most favorable VFR months for operations. Pilots should anticipate predominantly southerly winds and prepare for potential marginal visual conditions. The runway's substantial 8,040-foot length provides flexibility for most regional aircraft, with consistent wind alignments supporting predictable approach and landing scenarios.

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.