Mount Isa Airport

YBMA / ISA

Mount Isa, AU

Last Updated
Mar 5, 00:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 29 min ago
00:00Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
29°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 19°C
13 kt
60°
10+ km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR YBMA 050000Z AUTO 06013KT 9999 // NCD 29/19 Q1008

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF YBMA 042324Z 0500/0512 09014KT CAVOK FM050900 13007KT CAVOK
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
00:29Z BASE
+0h
VFR 90° 14 kt
Visibility: >10km
09:00Z FM050900
+9h
VFR 130° 7 kt
Visibility: >10km

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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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
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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
BMA
12 ✈️
30
16
34 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 12/30
Active: 12
2,802 ft 59 ft GVL 124°
6.5 kt 11.3 kt
60° angle
✈️ 16/34
Active: 34
8,399 ft 148 ft ASP 169°
2.3 kt 12.8 kt
80° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - YBMA

8,775 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
84.3%
MVFR
13.3%
IFR
2.1%
LIFR
0.4%

Mount Isa Airport enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 84.3% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.9 knots, with gusts recorded up to 31 knots. Calm conditions occur 10.1% of the time. Temperature extremes range from 7°C to 42°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 31 kt
Calm Winds: 10.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
14.4%
NE
15.5%
E
16.3%
SE
13.3%
S
19%
SW
3.1%
W
4.6%
NW
3.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 27.2°C
Range: 7°C to 42°C
7°C 42°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

September October November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 12/30
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.3 kt
Runway 16/34
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.4 kt

Statistics computed from 8,775 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Mount Isa Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: YBMA
IATA Code: ISA
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,121 ft MSL

Location

City: Mount Isa
Country: AU
Latitude: -20.666380°
Longitude: 139.488468°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-9

Runway Information

Runway 12/30
Length: 2,802 ft
Width: 59 ft
Surface: GVL
ILS: No
Runway 16/34
Length: 8,399 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Mount Isa Airport

Overview

Mount Isa Airport serves the mining city of Mount Isa in northwestern Queensland, Australia. Located at an elevation of 1121 feet MSL, the airport supports regional and resource sector aviation operations with two substantial runways. Its strategic location in the remote Queensland interior makes it a critical infrastructure point for the region's transportation needs.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences predominantly VFR conditions 86.1% of the time, with minimal IFR or LIFR occurrences. Prevailing winds from the south (180°) average 8.1 knots, with maximum gusts reaching 29 knots and calm conditions occurring 10% of the time. Temperature variability is significant, ranging from 7°C to 42°C with an average of 27°C, suggesting potential density altitude considerations for pilots.

Notable Features

Mount Isa Airport features two runways: a shorter gravel runway 12/30 at 2,802 feet and a longer asphalt runway 16/34 at 8,399 feet. Both runways demonstrate excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage and modest average crosswind components of 5.2 and 4.2 knots respectively. The airport's geographical positioning in the arid inland region contributes to its consistently clear weather patterns.

Approach Considerations

September through November represent the most consistently favorable VFR flying months with optimal weather conditions. The longer runway 16/34 provides substantial landing and takeoff options, particularly beneficial for larger aircraft serving the regional resources sector. Pilots should anticipate stable wind conditions from the southern quadrant and prepare for potential temperature-related performance considerations.

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.