Aberdeen Regional to Joe Foss Field ABR → FSD
133 nautical miles (153 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 147°, about 140° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7E). At 120 knots that is 55 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 25-knot tailwind), arriving about 5:16 am CDT (10:16 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ABR is marginal VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 5 knots; FSD is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 6 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: 484 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
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the whole route.
Turbulence AIRMET in force: moderate turbulence from 24,000 ft to 36,000 ft, over the whole route. No pilot has reported turbulence near the line in the last three hours. The government's turbulence forecast map ↗
Icing No icing warning in force along the route. No pilot has reported icing near the line in the last three hours. The freezing level is about 12,500 ft (from the winds-aloft temperatures), so icing is possible in cloud above that. The government's icing forecast map ↗
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 ABR.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 2 forecast points nearest it (ABR, FSD). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 340° at 15 kt | −15 kt | 135 kt | 59 min | 5:20 am CDT (10:20 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 300° at 15 kt | −14 kt | 134 kt | 1 h | 5:21 am CDT (10:21 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 270° at 21 kt | −12 kt | 11 °C | 132 kt | 1 h | 5:21 am CDT (10:21 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 260° at 28 kt | −10 kt | 8 °C | 130 kt | 1 h 01 min | 5:22 am CDT (10:22 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 260° at 32 kt | −12 kt | 3 °C | 132 kt | 1 h | 5:21 am CDT (10:21 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 260° at 33 kt | −11 kt | -2 °C | 131 kt | 1 h 01 min | 5:22 am CDT (10:22 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 250° at 32 kt | −8 kt | -7 °C | 128 kt | 1 h 02 min | 5:23 am CDT (10:23 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 250° at 32 kt | −6 kt | -12 °C | 126 kt | 1 h 03 min | 5:24 am CDT (10:24 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 32 kt | −5 kt | -13 °C | 125 kt | 1 h 04 min | 5:25 am CDT (10:25 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 46 kt | −10 kt | -23 °C | 130 kt | 1 h 01 min | 5:22 am CDT (10:22 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 100 kt | −22 kt | -30 °C | 142 kt | 56 min | 5:17 am CDT (10:17 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 113 kt | −25 kt | -37 °C | 145 kt | 55 min | 5:16 am CDT (10:16 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 105 kt | −23 kt | -48 °C | 143 kt | 56 min | 5:17 am CDT (10:17 UTC) |
Based on data from the 13th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 13th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABR | used from 0 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 340/16 | 290/20 10° | 280/37 8° | 260/39 1° | 240/38 -14° | 250/45 -25° | 250/88 -33° | 250/117 -38° | 250/112 -47° |
| FSD | used from 48 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 360/17 | 300/14 15° | 240/25 10° | 260/30 3° | 250/29 -13° | 250/47 -22° | 250/107 -29° | 250/111 -36° | 250/101 -48° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABR Aberdeen, SD | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,000 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 3,000 ft | 1,301 ft | 3:53 am CDT (08:53 UTC) |
| MDS Madison, SD | 105 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,300 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 1,718 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,800 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 3:56 am CDT (08:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,718 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
The codes as issued, and in English, for every airport in the table
ABR Aberdeen, SD
the observation and the forecast as issued, and in English
METAR KABR 130853Z AUTO 32005KT 10SM BKN030 05/04 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP135 T00500039 55006 $
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KABR
- the station, KABR
- 130853Z
- observed 3:53 am CDT (08:53 UTC)
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 32005KT
- wind from the northwest at 5 knots
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- BKN030
- a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- 05/04
- temperature 5 °C (41 °F), dew point 4 °C (39 °F)
- A2991
- altimeter setting 29.91 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP135
- sea-level pressure 1013.5 hPa
- T00500039
- temperature 5 °C (41 °F), dew point 3.9 °C (39 °F)
- 55006
- pressure in the last three hours falling, then rising, change 0.6 hPa
- $
- the station needs maintenance
TAF KABR 130900Z 1309/1406 31007KT P6SM SCT030 SCT110 TEMPO 1309/1312 BKN030 FM131200 34007KT P6SM SCT030 BKN110 PROB30 1312/1318 -SHRA BKN030 FM131800 32008KT P6SM BKN020 FM140100 34005KT P6SM BKN035
- TAF
- a terminal aerodrome forecast: the weather expected at the airport, usually for the next 24 or 30 hours
- KABR
- the station, KABR
- 130900Z
- issued 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC)
- 1309/1406 31007KT P6SM SCT030 SCT110
- valid from Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC) to Wed 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet
- TEMPO 1309/1312 BKN030
- at times from Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC) to Tue 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- FM131200 34007KT P6SM SCT030 BKN110
- from Tue 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- PROB30 1312/1318 -SHRA BKN030
- a 30% chance from Tue 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC) to Tue 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- FM131800 32008KT P6SM BKN020
- from Tue 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- FM140100 34005KT P6SM BKN035
- from Tue 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
MDS Madison, SD
the observation as issued, and in English
METAR KMDS 130815Z AUTO 30007KT 10SM OVC013 07/07 A2990 RMK AO2
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KMDS
- the station, KMDS
- 130815Z
- observed 08:15 UTC on the 13th
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 30007KT
- wind from the west-northwest at 7 knots
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- OVC013
- overcast at 1,300 feet
- 07/07
- temperature 7 °C (45 °F), dew point 7 °C (45 °F)
- A2990
- altimeter setting 29.90 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
FSD Sioux Falls, SD
the observation and the forecast as issued, and in English
METAR KFSD 130856Z AUTO 32006KT 10SM FEW018 07/06 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP132 T00720056 50003
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KFSD
- the station, KFSD
- 130856Z
- observed 3:56 am CDT (08:56 UTC)
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 32006KT
- wind from the northwest at 6 knots
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- FEW018
- a few clouds at 1,800 feet
- 07/06
- temperature 7 °C (45 °F), dew point 6 °C (43 °F)
- A2991
- altimeter setting 29.91 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP132
- sea-level pressure 1013.2 hPa
- T00720056
- temperature 7.2 °C (45 °F), dew point 5.6 °C (42 °F)
- 50003
- pressure in the last three hours rising, then falling, change 0.3 hPa
TAF KFSD 130901Z 1309/1406 33006KT P6SM BKN018 FM131400 35007KT P6SM BKN025 FM131700 34006KT P6SM SCT035 FM140000 35007KT P6SM FEW060
- TAF
- a terminal aerodrome forecast: the weather expected at the airport, usually for the next 24 or 30 hours
- KFSD
- the station, KFSD
- 130901Z
- issued 4:01 am CDT (09:01 UTC)
- 1309/1406 33006KT P6SM BKN018
- valid from Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC) to Wed 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,800 feet
- FM131400 35007KT P6SM BKN025
- from Tue 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- FM131700 34006KT P6SM SCT035
- from Tue 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
- FM140000 35007KT P6SM FEW060
- from Tue 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet
At FSD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:16 am CDT (10:16 UTC)
Wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,800 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for FSD
- From Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,800 feet
- From Tue 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Tue 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
- From Tue 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet
The forecast for ABR, the departure
- From Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet
- At times between Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC) and 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- From Tue 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Tue 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC) and 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- From Tue 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Tue 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
FSD: the forecast as issued, and in English
TAF KFSD 130901Z 1309/1406 33006KT P6SM BKN018 FM131400 35007KT P6SM BKN025 FM131700 34006KT P6SM SCT035 FM140000 35007KT P6SM FEW060
ABR: the forecast as issued, and in English
TAF KABR 130900Z 1309/1406 31007KT P6SM SCT030 SCT110 TEMPO 1309/1312 BKN030 FM131200 34007KT P6SM SCT030 BKN110 PROB30 1312/1318 -SHRA BKN030 FM131800 32008KT P6SM BKN020 FM140100 34005KT P6SM BKN035
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Notices to air missions closures and things out of service at both ends; airspace, navigation aids and obstructions near the line
ABR: 7 notices in force. all of them, grouped →
FSD: 17 notices in force, 2 starting within a week. all of them, grouped →
- closed Apron Helipad H1 closed until Fri 4 Dec, 5:30 pm CST (23:30 UTC) · FSD 09/222
as issued
!FSD 09/222 FSD APRON HELIPAD H1 CLSD 2609242126-2612042330
9 notices near the line (airspace and special activity within 25 nm, navigation aids within 25 nm, obstructions within 5 nm):
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1037042) 44°52′N 97°48′W (4.5 nautical miles WSW 8D7) 2074.8FT (318.9FT above ground level) out of service until Mon 23 Nov, 2:23 am CST (08:23 UTC) · 38 nm along the route, 5 nm off the line · 8D7 08/088
as issued
!HON 08/088 8D7 OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1037042) 445243.50N0974851.10W (4.5NM WSW 8D7) 2074.8FT (318.9FT AGL) U/S 2608250723-2611230823
- Navigation aid ILS runway 12 outer marker out of service until Fri 30 Oct, 3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC), estimated · 57 nm along the route, 28 nm off the line · HON 07/110
as issued
!HON 07/110 HON NAV ILS RWY 12 OM U/S 2607301802-2610302000EST
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1249019) 44°35′N 97°32′W (10.0 nautical miles northeast 6E5) 2327.8FT (484.9FT above ground level) out of service until Tue 1 Dec, 6:50 am CST (12:50 UTC) · 67 nm along the route, 5 nm off the line · 6E5 09/012
as issued
!HON 09/012 6E5 OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1249019) 443556.50N0973256.50W (10.0NM NE 6E5) 2327.8FT (484.9FT AGL) U/S 2609021150-2612011250
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1332379) 44°07′N 97°14′W (9.2 nautical miles northwest MDS) 2,110 ft (315 ft above ground level) out of service until Thu 19 Nov, 4:13 pm CST (22:13 UTC), estimated · 95 nm along the route, 1 nm off the line · MDS 10/034
as issued
!HON 10/034 MDS OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1332379) 440723.80N0971421.40W (9.2NM NW MDS) 2110FT (315FT AGL) U/S 2610051616-2611192213EST
- Navigation aid ILS runway 12 outer marker out of service until Fri 26 Mar, 3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC), estimated · 95 nm along the route, 20 nm off the line · BKX 08/002
as issued
!BKX 08/002 BKX NAV ILS RWY 12 OM U/S 2608042034-2703262000EST
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1209010) 43°57′N 96°49′W (10.1 nautical miles WSW 4P3) 2448.8FT (776.9FT above ground level) out of service until Tue 3 Nov, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 114 nm along the route, 10 nm off the line · 4P3 08/008
as issued
!HON 08/008 4P3 OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1209010) 435755.90N0964912.20W (10.1NM WSW 4P3) 2448.8FT (776.9FT AGL) U/S 2608031646-2611032359
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1042104) 43°30′N 96°33′W (7.4 nautical miles WNW 2VA) 3425.5FT (1998.7FT above ground level) out of service until Tue 3 Nov, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 133 nm along the route, 9 nm off the line · 2VA 09/030
as issued
!FOD 09/030 2VA OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1042104) 433018.00N0963323.00W (7.4NM WNW 2VA) 3425.5FT (1998.7FT AGL) U/S 2609031854-2611032359
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1042076) 43°30′N 96°34′W (8.1 nautical miles WNW 2VA) 2044.0FT (705.4FT above ground level) out of service until Tue 3 Nov, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 133 nm along the route, 9 nm off the line · 2VA 08/025
as issued
!FOD 08/025 2VA OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1042076) 433011.00N0963438.00W (8.1NM WNW 2VA) 2044.0FT (705.4FT AGL) U/S 2608031647-2611032359
- Airspace parachute jumping within an area defined as 3 nautical miles radius of LYV the surface-12,000 ft Fridays-Sundays SR-SS until Sun 1 Nov, 6:45 pm CST (00:45 UTC) · Fridays Saturdays Sundays · 133 nm along the route, 23 nm off the line · LYV 03/006
as issued
!LYV 03/006 LYV AIRSPACE PJE WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 3NM RADIUS OF LYV SFC-12000FT FRI-SUN SR-SS 2604031212-2611020045
From the FAA's notice service (NOTAMs), the site's copy refreshed every few minutes; last checked 2 minutes ago. The FAA has so far issued eFlight its test feed, which misses some notices (checked against the FAA's own search on 12 October: about a third missing at Santa Barbara and Burbank, none at Atlanta or Las Vegas); the request for the full feed is with the FAA. Times are local to the field. This is for planning; the legal briefing comes from Flight Service or the FAA's own tools.
Daylight
Sunset at ABR 6:52 pm CDT (23:52 UTC), at FSD 6:47 pm CDT (23:47 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:16 pm CDT (00:16 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at FSD is before sunrise there (7:38 am CDT (12:38 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times.
The wind over the route live wind map, from Windy.com · drag the time bar for the coming hours; the level menu changes the height
Colours show wind speed, the moving lines its direction, at the surface unless you pick a height. Map and forecast by Windy.com; a second opinion beside the government's winds-aloft table above.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads · the turbulence and icing forecasts: turbulence ↗ · icing ↗







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: Aberdeen Regional, Joe Foss Field.
