Bluefields Airport

MNBL / BEF

Bluefields, NI

Last Updated
Jul 4, 23:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Stale 3 hours ago
23:00Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
24°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 23°C
4 kt
270°
5 km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1012 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR MNBL 042300Z 27004KT 5000 -TSRA SCT018CB SCT021 24/23 Q1012 CB 4/C

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 20 ft
SCT 1,800 ft AGL (CB)
SCT 2,100 ft AGL
SCT (CB)
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
1,800 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,820 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
2,100 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,120 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Bluefields Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 1,800 feet and 5 km visibility. Note: This observation is 3.3 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west (270°) at 4 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 5 km, below VFR minimums in some airspace classifications. Check local requirements before departing VFR. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: scattered at 1,800 ft (CB), scattered at 2,100 ft. Caution: cumulonimbus (thunderstorm) clouds reported at 1,800 ft AGL, indicating convective activity in the area.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 24°C (75°F) with a dewpoint of 23°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. IFR conditions are expected to persist or develop. An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are recommended. Expected weather includes: Thunderstorm Rain, DZ/-TSRA. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with DZ/-TSRA between 04:00Z and 08:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. 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
1012 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1011 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (20 ft)
Pressure Alt
58 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,143 ft
ISA Deviation: +9.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF MNBL 042125Z 0500/0524 09008KT 4000 TSRA SCT016CB SCT020 TEMPO 0504/0508 5000 DZ/-TSRA SCT017CB SCT060
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
02:17Z BASE
+0h
IFR 90° 8 kt
Visibility: 4 km
Thunderstorm Rain
04:00Z TEMPO
+2h
MVFR
Visibility: 5 km
DZ/-TSRA

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
NBL
05
23 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 05/23
Active: 23
6,625 ft 98 ft ASP 56°
3.1 kt 2.6 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 - MNBL

3,656 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
52.2%
MVFR
43.6%
IFR
4.2%
LIFR
0%

Bluefields Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 52.2% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 4.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the E averaging 5.1 knots, with gusts recorded up to 96 knots. Temperatures typically range between 18°C and 34°C with an average of 27.5°C. The best months for VFR flying are March, April, February.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: E (90°)
Average Speed: 5.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 96 kt
Calm Winds: 5.6%
Direction Distribution:
E
49.3%
N
21%
S
1.6%
W
3.9%
NE
13.6%
NW
3.7%
SE
0.9%
SW
0.4%

Temperature Range

Average: 27.5°C
Range: 18°C to 34°C
18°C 34°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

March April February

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.2 kt

Statistics computed from 3,656 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Bluefields Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: MNBL
IATA Code: BEF
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 20 ft MSL

Location

City: Bluefields
Country: NI
Latitude: 11.991000°
Longitude: -83.774101°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 6,625 ft
Width: 98 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Bluefields Airport

Overview

Bluefields Airport serves the eastern coastal region of Nicaragua, located at 11.991000, -83.774101 with an elevation of 20 ft MSL. As a medium-sized airport, it provides essential aviation infrastructure for the Bluefields municipal area and surrounding regions. The airport features a single asphalt runway (05/23) measuring 6,625 feet in length.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Bluefields Airport are predominantly visual flight rules (VFR) at 48.3% of observations, with marginal VFR conditions present 45.3% of the time. Winds consistently blow from the east (90°) at an average of 4.6 knots, with January, September, and October presenting the most favorable VFR conditions. Temperature remains stable, averaging 27°C with a range between 20°C and 34°C.

Notable Features

The airport's low elevation of 20 ft MSL indicates a coastal plain environment with minimal terrain challenges. Winds demonstrate remarkable consistency, with a 100% favorable wind alignment for runway 05/23 and an average crosswind of only 2.9 knots. Visibility is consistently excellent, averaging 10 statute miles with no recorded instances of fog or significant visibility restrictions.

Approach Considerations

Runway 05/23 offers optimal wind alignment, with easterly prevailing winds providing near-ideal approach conditions. The 6,625-foot asphalt runway provides substantial landing surface for most medium-sized aircraft. Pilots can expect predictable wind conditions with minimal crosswind complications, making approaches typically straightforward and consistent.

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.