RMAF Butterworth Air Base

WMKB / BWH

Butterworth, MY

Last Updated
Apr 23, 06:00Z

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a military aerodrome. Civil aircraft access may be restricted or require prior authorization. Consult the applicable AIP for current access procedures.

Consult the applicable national AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 11 min ago
06:00Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
33°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 22°C
8 kt
230°
6 km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1007 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR WMKB 230600Z 23008KT 180V290 6000 FEW020 33/22 Q1007 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 11 ft
FEW 2,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
2,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,011 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

RMAF Butterworth Air Base is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with few clouds at 2,000 feet and 6 km visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southwest (230°) at 8 knots. Runway 18/36 is favored with a 5-knot headwind and 6-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 6 km, below VFR minimums in some airspace classifications. Check local requirements before departing VFR. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: few at 2,000 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 33°C (91°F) with a dewpoint of 22°C, indicating relatively dry conditions. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Thunderstorm Rain. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Thunderstorm Rain between 06:00Z and 10:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further.

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

QNH
1007 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1007 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (11 ft)
Pressure Alt
199 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,362 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +18.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF WMKB 230500Z 2306/2406 05005KT 9000 FEW020 TEMPO 2306/2310 26007KT 6000 TSRA FEW017CB
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
06:11Z BASE
+0h
VFR 50° 5 kt
Visibility: 9 km

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
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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
MKB
18 ✈️
36

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 18/36
Active: 18
8,000 ft 150 ft ASP 184°
5.1 kt 6.1 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 - WMKB

5,109 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
35%
MVFR
64.4%
IFR
0.5%
LIFR
0.1%

RMAF Butterworth Air Base is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 35% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 0.6% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 6 knots. Temperatures typically range between 20°C and 36°C with an average of 27.1°C. The best months for VFR flying are September, December, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 18 kt
Calm Winds: 6.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
11%
NE
18.6%
E
16.8%
SE
2.7%
S
4.9%
SW
2.6%
W
16.9%
NW
20.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 27.1°C
Range: 20°C to 36°C
20°C 36°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

September December October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 18/36
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt

Statistics computed from 5,109 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

RMAF Butterworth Air Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: WMKB
IATA Code: BWH
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 11 ft MSL

Location

City: Butterworth
Country: MY
Latitude: 5.465920°
Longitude: 100.390999°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-7

Runway Information

Runway 18/36
Length: 8,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About RMAF Butterworth Air Base

RMAF Butterworth Air Base is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the MY AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

RMAF Butterworth Air Base is a military airport located in Butterworth, Malaysia, situated at an elevation of 11 feet MSL. The base serves as a critical strategic location for Royal Malaysian Air Force operations, positioned near the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Its single runway (18/36) extends 8,000 feet and is constructed with asphalt surface.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Butterworth are predominantly favorable for visual flight, with 99.1% of observations supporting VFR or MVFR operations. Wind patterns are consistently from the northwest at an average of 5.9 knots, with maximum gusts reaching 18 knots. Temperatures remain stable, averaging 26.5°C with a range between 20°C and 34°C, providing consistent flying conditions throughout the year.

Notable Features

The airport's low elevation and coastal location contribute to generally stable atmospheric conditions. Runway 18/36 experiences highly favorable wind alignment, with 100% wind compatibility and an average crosswind of just 4.3 knots. Pilots can expect excellent visibility, with an average of 10 statute miles and no recorded instances of significant visibility restrictions.

Approach Considerations

September, December, and January represent the most consistently favorable months for flying, offering optimal meteorological conditions. The single runway's length and orientation provide flexibility for most aircraft operations, with minimal wind-related approach challenges. Pilots should anticipate northwest winds and plan approaches accordingly, taking advantage of the predictable wind patterns.

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.