Puerto Cabezas Airport

MNPC / PUZ

Puerto Cabezas, NI

Last Updated
Apr 21, 23:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Stale 12 hours ago
23:00Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
28°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 25°C
6 kt
70°
6 km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1010 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR MNPC 212300Z 07006KT 6000 VCRA SCT016TCU SCT300 28/25 Q1010 TCURA/W

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 52 ft
SCT 1,600 ft AGL (TCU)
SCT 30,000 ft AGL
SCT (TCU)
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
1,600 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,652 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
30,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
30,052 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Puerto Cabezas Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 1,600 feet and 6 km visibility. Note: This observation is 12.5 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the east-northeast (70°) at 6 knots. Runway 09/27 is favored with a 6-knot headwind and 2-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: scattered at 1,600 ft (TCU), scattered at 30,000 ft. Caution: towering cumulus clouds reported at 1,600 ft AGL, indicating convective activity in the area.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 28°C (82°F) with a dewpoint of 25°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 24 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Vicinity Rain.

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.

QNH
1010 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1008 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (52 ft)
Pressure Alt
150 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,722 ft
ISA Deviation: +13.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF MNPC 212220Z 2200/2224 07010KT 6000 VCRA SCT016 BECMG 2205/2208 00000KT FM220900 02006KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:29Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 70° 10 kt
Visibility: 6 km
Vicinity Rain

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
NPC
09 ✈️
27

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 09/27
Active: 09
8,130 ft 167 ft ASP 92°
5.6 kt 2.1 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - MNPC

2,674 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
0.2%
MVFR
94.6%
IFR
5%
LIFR
0.1%

Puerto Cabezas Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 0.2% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 5.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the E averaging 8.2 knots, with gusts recorded up to 38 knots. The climate is relatively stable with temperatures averaging 27.7°C (range: 18°C to 33°C). The best months for VFR flying are February, April, January.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: E (90°)
Average Speed: 8.2 kt
Maximum Recorded: 38 kt
Calm Winds: 7.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
30.4%
NE
14%
E
42%
SE
0.6%
S
0.6%
SW
0.1%
W
0.3%
NW
4.4%

Temperature Range

Average: 27.7°C
Range: 18°C to 33°C
18°C 33°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

February April January

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 09/27
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.6 kt

Statistics computed from 2,674 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Puerto Cabezas Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: MNPC
IATA Code: PUZ
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 52 ft MSL

Location

City: Puerto Cabezas
Country: NI
Latitude: 14.047200°
Longitude: -83.386703°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 09/27
Length: 8,130 ft
Width: 167 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Puerto Cabezas Airport

Overview

Puerto Cabezas Airport serves the eastern coastal region of Nicaragua, located at 14.047200, -83.386703 with an elevation of 52 feet MSL. This medium-sized airport provides critical transportation infrastructure for the Puerto Cabezas area, supporting regional and local aviation operations.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Puerto Cabezas are predominantly MVFR, with 93.5% of observations in this category. The prevailing winds are from the east at an average of 7.4 knots, with temperature ranges between 19°C and 33°C. January, October, and November offer the most favorable VFR conditions for pilots.

Notable Features

The airport features a single runway (09/27) measuring 8,130 feet with an asphalt surface. Its coastal location suggests potential for rapidly changing maritime weather conditions, despite consistently good visibility averaging 10 statute miles. Wind variability includes occasional gusts up to 26 knots, though calm conditions occur 8.1% of the time.

Approach Considerations

Runway 09/27 demonstrates 100% favorable wind alignment, with an average crosswind of just 4 knots. Pilots can expect minimal wind-related approach challenges, particularly during peak VFR months. The relatively low elevation and consistent weather patterns make this a straightforward operational environment for most aircraft.

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.