RAF Lakenheath

EGUL / LKZ

Brandon, Suffolk, GB

Last Updated
May 15, 08:12Z

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
Recent 56 min ago
08:12Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
10°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 2°C
11 kt
320°
10+ km
Visibility
16,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1006 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI EGUL 150812Z AUTO 32011KT 9999 SCT120 OVC160 10/02 A2970 RMK AO2 DZE12 SLP061

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 32 ft
SCT 12,000 ft AGL
OVC 16,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
12,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
12,032 ft AMSL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
16,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
16,032 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

RAF Lakenheath is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with overcast skies at 16,000 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the northwest (320°) at 11 knots. Runway 05/23 is favored with a 0-knot headwind and 11-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. The ceiling is 16000 feet AGL (overcast), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 10°C (50°F) with a dewpoint of 2°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 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: Mist. Temporary VFR conditions are forecast between 09:00Z and 15:00Z. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Mist between 04:00Z and 07:00Z.

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
1006 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1005 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (32 ft)
Pressure Alt
250 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -342 ft
ISA Deviation: -4.9°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF AMD EGUL 150518Z 1505/1611 31009KT 9999 FEW030 SCT040 BKN050 BKN150 620509 621403 QNH2968INS TEMPO 1509/1515 31012G18KT BECMG 1518/1519 32006KT 9999 SCT030 BKN050 OVC150 620509 621402 QNH2972INS BECMG 1600/1601 32006KT 5000 BR FEW035 QNH2971INS TEMPO 1604/1607 2400 BR BKN008 BECMG 1607/1608 26012KT 9999 NSW BKN035 620404 QNH2974INS TX13/1515Z TN05/1604Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
09:08Z BASE
+0h
VFR 310° 9 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 5,000 ft
18:00Z BECMG
+9h
VFR 320° 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 5,000 ft

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°
0.0 kt 11.0 kt
90° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - EGUL

10,891 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
49.6%
MVFR
30.2%
IFR
15%
LIFR
5.2%

RAF Lakenheath is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 49.6% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 20.2% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 9.6 knots. Temperature extremes range from -8°C to 28°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are April, May, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 9.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 7.7%
Direction Distribution:
E
13.3%
N
6%
S
21.4%
W
8.3%
NE
8.2%
NW
6.7%
SE
13.8%
SW
14.7%

Temperature Range

Average: 8.9°C
Range: -8°C to 28°C
-8°C 28°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 1.6%

Best Months for VFR

April May September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.9 kt

Statistics computed from 10,891 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 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.