Bluefields Airport

MNBL / BEF

Bluefields, NI

Last Updated
May 14, 23:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Stale 10 hours ago
23:00Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
29°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 25°C
4 kt
100°
10+ km
Visibility
1,900 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR MNBL 142300Z 10004KT 9999 BKN019 29/25 Q1010

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 20 ft
BKN 1,900 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
1,900 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,920 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Bluefields Airport is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with broken clouds at 1,900 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility. Note: This observation is 9.7 hours old and conditions may have changed.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the east (100°) at 4 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. The ceiling is 1900 feet AGL (broken), placing conditions in the MVFR category.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 29°C (84°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, Light DZ/-SHRA. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Vicinity Rain between 04:00Z and 10:00Z. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light DZ/-SHRA between 15:00Z and 18:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF MNBL 142137Z 1500/1524 09010KT 9999 SCT020 TEMPO 1504/1510 8000 VCRA BKN017 TEMPO 1515/1518 08012KT 5000 -DZ/-SHRA BECMG 1519/1521 10004KT 9999 SCT019
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
08:43Z BASE
+0h
VFR 90° 10 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
15:00Z TEMPO
+7h
MVFR 80° 12 kt
Visibility: 5 km
Light DZ/-SHRA
19:00Z BECMG
+11h
VFR 100° 4 kt
Visibility: 10+ km

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
NBL
05 ✈️
23

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 05/23
Active: 05
6,625 ft 98 ft ASP 56°
2.6 kt 3.1 kt
50° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - MNBL

3,044 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
55.2%
MVFR
40.5%
IFR
4.3%
LIFR
0%

Bluefields Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 55.2% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 4.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the E averaging 5 knots, with gusts recorded up to 96 knots. Temperatures typically range between 18°C and 34°C with an average of 27.3°C. The best months for VFR flying are March, May, April.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: E (90°)
Average Speed: 5 kt
Maximum Recorded: 96 kt
Calm Winds: 5.7%
Direction Distribution:
N
23.5%
NE
13.6%
E
45.8%
SE
0.6%
S
1.5%
SW
0.5%
W
4.4%
NW
4.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 27.3°C
Range: 18°C to 34°C
18°C 34°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

March May April

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3 kt

Statistics computed from 3,044 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Bluefields Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: MNBL
IATA Code: BEF
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 20 ft MSL

Location

City: Bluefields
Country: NI
Latitude: 11.991000°
Longitude: -83.774101°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 6,625 ft
Width: 98 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Bluefields Airport

Overview

Bluefields Airport serves the eastern coastal region of Nicaragua, located at 11.991000, -83.774101 with an elevation of 20 ft MSL. As a medium-sized airport, it provides essential aviation infrastructure for the Bluefields municipal area and surrounding regions. The airport features a single asphalt runway (05/23) measuring 6,625 feet in length.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Bluefields Airport are predominantly visual flight rules (VFR) at 48.3% of observations, with marginal VFR conditions present 45.3% of the time. Winds consistently blow from the east (90°) at an average of 4.6 knots, with January, September, and October presenting the most favorable VFR conditions. Temperature remains stable, averaging 27°C with a range between 20°C and 34°C.

Notable Features

The airport's low elevation of 20 ft MSL indicates a coastal plain environment with minimal terrain challenges. Winds demonstrate remarkable consistency, with a 100% favorable wind alignment for runway 05/23 and an average crosswind of only 2.9 knots. Visibility is consistently excellent, averaging 10 statute miles with no recorded instances of fog or significant visibility restrictions.

Approach Considerations

Runway 05/23 offers optimal wind alignment, with easterly prevailing winds providing near-ideal approach conditions. The 6,625-foot asphalt runway provides substantial landing surface for most medium-sized aircraft. Pilots can expect predictable wind conditions with minimal crosswind complications, making approaches typically straightforward and consistent.

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.