Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport

VCBI / CMB

Colombo, LK

Last Updated
Apr 22, 10:10Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 39 min ago
10:10Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
32°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 27°C
8 kt
250°
10+ km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1004 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR VCBI 221010Z 25008KT 9999 SCT018 32/27 Q1004 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 30 ft
SCT 1,800 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
1,800 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,830 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 1,800 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the west-southwest (250°) at 8 knots. Runway 22 is favored with a 7-knot headwind and 4-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: scattered at 1,800 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 32°C (90°F) with a dewpoint of 27°C, indicating moderate moisture 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 30 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Thunderstorm RA/SHRA. There is a 30% probability of MVFR conditions with Thunderstorm RA/SHRA between 11:00Z and 15:00Z.

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
1004 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1003 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (30 ft)
Pressure Alt
308 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,355 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +17.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF VCBI 220500Z 2206/2312 22005KT 9999 FEW018 TX34/2207Z TN24/2300Z PROB30 TEMPO 2211/2215 5000 TSRA/SHRA BKN016 FEW018CB BECMG 2214/2216 VRB05KT
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
10:49Z BASE
+0h
VFR 220° 5 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
11:00Z PROB30 TEMPO
+1h
MVFR
Visibility: 5 km
Ceiling: 1,600 ft
Thunderstorm RA/SHRA
14:00Z BECMG
+4h
VFR VRB 5 kt

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
CBI
04
22 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 04/22
Active: 22
10,991 ft 148 ft ASP 37°
6.9 kt 4.0 kt
30° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - VCBI

5,002 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
69.5%
MVFR
29.3%
IFR
1%
LIFR
0.2%

Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 69.5% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 1.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 6.5 knots. Temperatures typically range between 19°C and 39°C with an average of 27.3°C. The best months for VFR flying are April, February, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 6.5 kt
Maximum Recorded: 18 kt
Calm Winds: 1.6%
Direction Distribution:
N
25.7%
NE
20.7%
E
6.2%
SE
6.3%
S
3.3%
SW
18.8%
W
12.6%
NW
4.7%

Temperature Range

Average: 27.3°C
Range: 19°C to 39°C
19°C 39°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

April February September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 04/22
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.6 kt

Statistics computed from 5,002 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: VCBI
IATA Code: CMB
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 30 ft MSL

Location

City: Colombo
Country: LK
Latitude: 7.180760°
Longitude: 79.884102°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-5

Runway Information

Runway 04/22
Length: 10,991 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport

Overview

Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport serves as the primary international gateway for Sri Lanka, located near Colombo on the western coast. The airport handles major international and domestic air traffic, situated at a low elevation of 30 feet mean sea level. Its strategic coastal location makes it a critical aviation hub for the region.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences tropical maritime climate conditions with significant seasonal wind variations. Pilots can expect high humidity and potential thunderstorm activity, particularly during the southwest monsoon season from May to September. The airport's low elevation and coastal positioning contribute to potential wind shear and rapid weather changes.

Notable Features

The single runway 04/22 is a substantial 10,991 feet long, constructed with asphalt surface, accommodating wide-body aircraft operations. The airport's geographical position near the ocean creates unique aerodynamic considerations, including potential sea breeze effects and localized thermal variations. Terrain surrounding the airport is predominantly flat, with minimal elevation changes.

Approach Considerations

Runway 04/22 orientation suggests prevailing wind patterns may influence approach and departure procedures. The extended runway length provides flexibility for various aircraft types and operational requirements. Pilots should anticipate potential crosswind conditions due to the airport's coastal environment and be prepared for rapid meteorological transitions.

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.