RAF Lakenheath

EGUL / LKZ

Brandon, Suffolk, GB

Last Updated
Jun 10, 18:55Z

Military Airport

PPR Available

This is a Royal Air Force or Ministry of Defence aerodrome. Civil access may be available with Prior Permission Required (PPR).

Access Notes:

Many RAF stations accept civil PPR; consult UK AIP AD 2 for specific procedures

Consult official AIP (UK AIP ENR 2.2) for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Aging 1 hour ago
18:55Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
15°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 8°C
7 kt
230°
10+ km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1016 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR EGUL 101855Z AUTO 23007KT 9999 CLR 15/08 A3001 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE SLP166 T01470082 $

Weather Briefing

VFR

RAF Lakenheath is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies and 10 miles or greater visibility. Note: This observation is 1.7 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots. Runway 23 is favored with a 7-knot headwind and 0-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 15°C (59°F) with a dewpoint of 8°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 25 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Light Rain, Thunderstorm Rain, Rain. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Thunderstorm Rain between 18:00Z and 19:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. 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
1016 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1015 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (32 ft)
Pressure Alt
-51 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -43 ft
ISA Deviation: +0.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF AMD EGUL 101850Z 1018/1119 25010KT 9999 -RA VCTS BKN040CB BKN080 QNH2992INS TEMPO 1018/1019 6000 TSRA BKN025CB BECMG 1019/1020 26012KT 9999 NSW FEW030 QNH3000INS BECMG 1108/1109 20012KT 8000 -RA BKN045 620606 QNH3011INS BECMG 1109/1110 23010KT 6000 RA BKN040 QNH3011INS BECMG 1110/1111 20012KT 6000 RA BKN035 QNH3011INS BECMG 1113/1114 18010G20KT 6000 RA BKN020 510006 QNH2998INS BECMG 1118/1119 23010G20KT 9999 NSW BKN025 QNH2995INS TX14/1110Z TN08/1102Z LAST NO AMDS AFT 1018 NEXT 1106
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
20:35Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 250° 10 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 4,000 ft
Light Rain
08:00Z BECMG
+12h
MVFR 200° 12 kt
Visibility: 8 km
Ceiling: 4,500 ft
Light 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
GUL
05
23 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 05/23
Active: 23
8,998 ft 150 ft PEM 56°
7.0 kt 0.0 kt
0° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - EGUL

11,833 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
52.4%
MVFR
28.8%
IFR
13.9%
LIFR
4.8%

RAF Lakenheath is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 52.4% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 18.7% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 9.6 knots. Temperature extremes range from -8°C to 34°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are May, April, June.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 9.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 7.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
5.6%
NE
7.7%
E
12.7%
SE
13.8%
S
21.8%
SW
16%
W
8.6%
NW
6.5%

Temperature Range

Average: 9.5°C
Range: -8°C to 34°C
-8°C 34°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 1.4%

Best Months for VFR

May April June

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.8 kt

Statistics computed from 11,833 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

RAF Lakenheath - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: EGUL
IATA Code: LKZ
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 32 ft MSL

Location

City: Brandon, Suffolk
Country: GB
Latitude: 52.409540°
Longitude: 0.561161°
Time Zone: Europe/Brussels

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 8,998 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: PEM
ILS: No

About RAF Lakenheath

RAF Lakenheath is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the GB AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

RAF Lakenheath is a medium airport located in Suffolk, England, serving primarily as a United States Air Force base. Situated near Brandon at 32 ft mean sea level, the airport provides critical strategic aviation infrastructure in the eastern United Kingdom. The single runway 05/23 extends 8,998 feet and is constructed with a pavement (PEM) surface.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at RAF Lakenheath demonstrate consistent VFR operations, with 51% of observations reporting visual flight rules. The airport experiences mild temperature variations, ranging from -8°C to 28°C, with an average of 9.1°C. Wind patterns are predominantly southerly at 180 degrees, averaging 9.9 knots with occasional gusts up to 30 knots, and calm conditions occurring 7.3% of the time.

Notable Features

The airport's geographic location in Suffolk provides relatively flat terrain typical of eastern England. With an elevation of just 32 ft MSL, pilots can expect minimal terrain-related challenges during approach and departure. The runway's orientation (05/23) and favorable wind conditions, with a 100% wind alignment and average crosswind of only 6.2 knots, contribute to predictable operational environments.

Approach Considerations

Seasonal flying is most favorable during September, October, and November, which demonstrate the most consistent VFR conditions. Visibility averages 10 statute miles, with minimal instances of reduced visibility (fog appears in only 1.6% of observations). Pilots should anticipate primarily southerly winds and prepare for mild crosswind conditions when operating on runway 05/23.

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.