Lehigh Valley International to Chicago/Rockford International ABE → RFD
621 nautical miles (715 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 283°, about 295° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12W). At 120 knots that is 5 h 24 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 5-knot headwind), arriving about 12:12 am CDT (05:12 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ABE is marginal VFR, wind from the east-northeast (070°) at 12 knots; RFD is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 5 knots. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 419 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.
The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words
Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of
- SIGMET E12E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 30 knots, until 8:55 pm EDT (00:55 UTC). Over the first 30 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 112255 MKCE WST 112255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 12E VALID UNTIL 0055Z NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND NJ CSTL WTRS FROM 30WNW SAX-40ESE CYN-20SW DCA-50SSE JST-30WNW SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24030KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 394 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the first 138 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 138 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 227 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 30 to 197 nm out.
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from ABE.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B38M at 25,000 ft, 47 nm southeast, 6:25 pm EDT (22:25 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the departure end, 47 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TEB UA /OV 3958N 07457W/TM 2225/FL250/TP B38M/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through TEB
- Where
- 3958N 07457W
- Time
- 22:25 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate
- C25B at 25,000 ft, 9 nm south, 5:47 pm EDT (21:47 UTC): moderate rime icing, 0 °C. 118 nm along the route, 9 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PSB UA /OV PSB/TM 2147/FL250/TP C25B/TA 0/IC MOD RIME
- Report
- a routine report filed through PSB
- Where
- over PSB
- Time
- 21:47 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25B
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime
- PC24 at 900 ft, 40 nm southeast, 7:25 pm EDT (23:25 UTC): remarks: reported bases 900 ft during the descent RY6. At the departure end, 40 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PNE UA /OV PNE240002/TM 2325/FL009/TP PC24/RM RPTD BASES 009 DURD RY6
- Report
- a routine report filed through PNE
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (240°) of PNE
- Time
- 23:25 UTC
- Height
- at 900 ft
- Aircraft
- PC24
- Remarks
- reported bases 900 ft during the descent RY6
- A319 at 10,000 ft, 38 nm south, 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC): no turbulence, vmc, 8 °C, wind 230° at 30 knots. At the departure end, 38 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHL UA /OV 10 N PHL/TM 2301/FL100/TP A319/SK VMC/TA 8/WV 23030KT/TB SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHL
- Where
- 10 north phl
- Time
- 23:01 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- visual conditions
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Wind
- from 230° at 30 knots
- Turbulence
- smooth
- B189 descending, 40 nm southeast, 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC): overcast above 800 ft. At the departure end, 40 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PNE UA /OV PNE240002/TM 2257/FLDURD/TP B189/SK OVC008
- Report
- a routine report filed through PNE
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (240°) of PNE
- Time
- 22:57 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B189
- Sky
- overcast from 800 ft
- C68A descending, 40 nm southeast, 6:28 pm EDT (22:28 UTC): overcast above 700 ft. At the departure end, 40 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PNE UA /OV PNE240002/TM 2228/FLDURD/TP C68A/SK OVC007
- Report
- a routine report filed through PNE
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (240°) of PNE
- Time
- 22:28 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- C68A
- Sky
- overcast from 700 ft
- A320 at 800 ft, 48 nm south, 6:25 pm EDT (22:25 UTC): overcast above 800 ft. At the departure end, 48 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHL UA /OV PHL/TM 2225/FL008/TP A320/SK OVC008
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHL
- Where
- over PHL
- Time
- 22:25 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 800 ft
- B38M at 16,000 ft, 48 nm east, 5:26 pm EDT (21:26 UTC): light rime icing, -7 °C. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
EWR UA /OV 5 S MMU/TM 2126/FL160/TP B38M/TA -7/IC LIGHT RIME
- Report
- a routine report filed through EWR
- Where
- 5 south mmu
- Time
- 21:26 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- -7
- Icing
- light rime
- F900 at 600 ft, 39 nm southeast, 5:25 pm EDT (21:25 UTC): remarks: reported bases 600 ft during the descent RY6. At the departure end, 39 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PNE UA /OV PNE24002/TM 2125/FL006/TP F900/RM RPTD BASES 006 DURD RY6
- Report
- a routine report filed through PNE
- Where
- PNE24002
- Time
- 21:25 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- F900
- Remarks
- reported bases 600 ft during the descent RY6
- PC12 at 4,000 ft, 5 nm north, 5:12 pm EDT (21:12 UTC): light chop turbulence, imc. At the departure end, 5 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ABE UA /OV FJC/TM 2112/FL040/TP PC12/WX IMC/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through ABE
- Where
- over FJC
- Time
- 21:12 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Weather
- instrument conditions
- Turbulence
- light chop
- C680 at 1,400 ft, 23 nm south, 7:20 pm EDT (23:20 UTC): a broken layer above 1,400 ft, remarks: reported 30 knots crosswind until at 40,000 ft feet above ground, wind calm below 40,000 ft feet above ground final runway 36. At the departure end, 23 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
RDG UA /OV 2 S RDG/TM 2320/FL014/TP C680/SK BKN014/RM REPORTED 30KT CROSSWIND UNTIL 400 FEET AGL, WIND CALM BELOW 400 FEET AGL. FNL RWY 36
- Report
- a routine report filed through RDG
- Where
- 2 south rdg
- Time
- 23:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,400 ft
- Aircraft
- C680
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,400 ft
- Remarks
- reported 30 knots crosswind until at 40,000 ft feet above ground, wind calm below 40,000 ft feet above ground final runway 36
- CRJ9 at 8,000 ft, 37 nm north, 6:49 pm EDT (22:49 UTC): overcast above 2,200 ft. At the departure end, 37 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
AVP UA /OV AVP/TM 2249/FL080/TP CRJ9/SK OVC022
- Report
- a routine report filed through AVP
- Where
- over AVP
- Time
- 22:49 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- overcast from 2,200 ft
- CRJ7 at 8,000 ft, 43 nm north, 5:50 pm EDT (21:50 UTC): overcast above 2,300 ft. At the departure end, 43 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
AVP UA /OV LVZ360010/TM 2150/FL080/TP CRJ7/SK 0VC023
- Report
- a routine report filed through AVP
- Where
- 10 nm north (360°) of LVZ
- Time
- 21:50 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- 0VC023
- E170 at 4,000 ft, 37 nm north, 5:46 pm EDT (21:46 UTC): overcast above 2,500 ft. At the departure end, 37 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
AVP UA /OV AVP/TM 2146/FL040/TP E170/SK OVC025
- Report
- a routine report filed through AVP
- Where
- over AVP
- Time
- 21:46 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- overcast from 2,500 ft
16 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 6 forecast points nearest it (AVP, PSB, AGC, CLE, FWA, JOT). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 290° at 6 kt | +5 kt | 13 °C | 115 kt | 5 h 24 min | 12:12 am CDT (05:12 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 300° at 10 kt | +9 kt | 13 °C | 111 kt | 5 h 36 min | 12:24 am CDT (05:24 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 300° at 10 kt | +9 kt | 10 °C | 111 kt | 5 h 36 min | 12:24 am CDT (05:24 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 310° at 9 kt | +8 kt | 6 °C | 112 kt | 5 h 33 min | 12:21 am CDT (05:21 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 310° at 10 kt | +8 kt | 2 °C | 112 kt | 5 h 33 min | 12:21 am CDT (05:21 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 300° at 11 kt | +10 kt | -2 °C | 110 kt | 5 h 39 min | 12:27 am CDT (05:27 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 290° at 12 kt | +11 kt | -7 °C | 109 kt | 5 h 42 min | 12:30 am CDT (05:30 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 280° at 13 kt | +13 kt | -10 °C | 107 kt | 5 h 48 min | 12:36 am CDT (05:36 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 290° at 14 kt | +13 kt | -21 °C | 107 kt | 5 h 48 min | 12:36 am CDT (05:36 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 270° at 32 kt | +29 kt | -35 °C | 91 kt | 6 h 49 min | 1:37 am CDT (06:37 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 39 kt | +34 kt | -42 °C | 86 kt | 7 h 13 min | 2:01 am CDT (07:01 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 42 kt | +39 kt | -49 °C | 81 kt | 7 h 40 min | 2:28 am CDT (07:28 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.
The forecast points as issued
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVP | used from 0 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 110/36 | 190/34 13° | 230/11 8° | 230/16 4° | 230/26 -8° | 220/40 -19° | 230/73 -33° | 230/98 -41° | 230/87 -51° |
| PSB | used from 49 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 260/13 13° | 220/12 8° | 220/11 4° | 230/27 -11° | 210/31 -21° | 220/73 -32° | 220/75 -40° | 230/66 -50° | |
| AGC | used from 197 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 140/12 | 350/10 12° | L/V 9° | L/V 3° | 200/11 -11° | 220/21 -22° | 220/47 -33° | 230/51 -39° | 230/45 -48° |
| CLE | used from 246 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 340/5 | 320/13 14° | 300/12 8° | 310/10 2° | 310/14 -10° | 340/14 -23° | 320/27 -35° | 260/28 -40° | 250/36 -48° |
| FWA | used from 394 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 350/9 | 350/24 15° | 360/25 9° | 360/29 4° | 350/31 -10° | 340/39 -22° | 330/40 -37° | 320/38 -43° | 320/48 -48° |
| JOT | used from 493 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 230/11 | 290/12 16° | 300/19 10° | 320/19 4° | 300/17 -9° | 330/31 -20° | 320/49 -37° | 320/53 -45° | 320/67 -49° |
The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABE Allentown, PA | departure | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet Weather: light rain | from the east-northeast (070°) at 12 knots | 7 mi | 1,900 ft | 393 ft | 7:17 pm EDT (23:17 UTC) |
| RDG Reading, PA | 20 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, a broken layer at 2,800 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet Weather: heavy rain, mist | from the east (080°) at 3 knots | 5 mi | 900 ft | 343 ft | 23:01 UTC |
| UNV State College, PA | 108 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north (010°) at 7 knots | 2.75 mi | 900 ft | 1,231 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| DUJ Dubois, PA | 158 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 600 feet, overcast at 1,100 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 1,100 ft | 1,816 ft | 23:30 UTC |
| YNG Youngstown/Warren, OH | 237 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 400 feet, scattered clouds at 1,400 feet, a broken layer at 3,100 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 3,100 ft | 1,191 ft | 23:22 UTC |
| BKL Cleveland, OH | 286 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,600 feet, overcast at 2,800 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,800 ft | 583 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| CYPT Pelee Island, | 335 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 571 ft | ||||
| TOL Toledo, OH | 384 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 2,300 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,300 ft | 683 ft | 23:30 UTC |
| EKM Elkhart, IN | 483 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Weather: mist | calm | 4 mi | none | 777 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| BEH Benton Harbor, MI | 503 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 649 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| PWK Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, IL | 572 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,500 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 644 ft | 22:52 UTC |
| RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 742 ft | 5:54 pm CDT (22:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,816 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RFD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:12 am CDT (05:12 UTC)
Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for RFD
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for ABE, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- At times between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, rain, mist
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 217 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZOB
- 6/8888 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 9 nm from the route, 237 nm along the route · security · starts tomorrow · ZOB
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 237 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZOB
Daylight
Sunset at ABE 6:26 pm EDT (22:26 UTC), at RFD 6:21 pm CDT (23:21 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RFD is before sunrise there (7:05 am CDT (12:05 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Lehigh Valley International, Chicago/Rockford International.