Waterloo Regional to Hector International ALO → FAR
322 nautical miles (371 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 326°, about 326° magnetic at the departure end (variation 0E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 11 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 19-knot headwind), arriving about 7:33 am CDT (12:33 UTC), after sunset at the destination. 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: 2 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 last 195 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the last 127 nm of the route.
Turbulence AIRMET in force: moderate turbulence from 24,000 ft to 36,000 ft, over the last 195 nm of the 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 13,500 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 ALO.
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 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 3 forecast points nearest it (MCW, MSP, AXN). 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 | 310° at 20 kt | +19 kt | 101 kt | 3 h 11 min | 7:33 am CDT (12:33 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 290° at 26 kt | +20 kt | 13 °C | 100 kt | 3 h 13 min | 7:35 am CDT (12:35 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 280° at 35 kt | +26 kt | 10 °C | 94 kt | 3 h 26 min | 7:48 am CDT (12:48 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 280° at 41 kt | +31 kt | 7 °C | 89 kt | 3 h 37 min | 7:59 am CDT (12:59 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 280° at 44 kt | +32 kt | 2 °C | 88 kt | 3 h 40 min | 8:02 am CDT (13:02 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 280° at 42 kt | +28 kt | -3 °C | 92 kt | 3 h 30 min | 7:52 am CDT (12:52 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 270° at 39 kt | +23 kt | -8 °C | 97 kt | 3 h 19 min | 7:41 am CDT (12:41 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 270° at 38 kt | +20 kt | -12 °C | 100 kt | 3 h 13 min | 7:35 am CDT (12:35 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 260° at 51 kt | +19 kt | -23 °C | 101 kt | 3 h 11 min | 7:33 am CDT (12:33 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 270° at 86 kt | +45 kt | -31 °C | 75 kt | 4 h 18 min | 8:40 am CDT (13:40 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 270° at 107 kt | +55 kt | -37 °C | 65 kt | 4 h 57 min | 9:19 am CDT (14:19 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 99 kt | +51 kt | -48 °C | 69 kt | 4 h 40 min | 9:02 am CDT (14:02 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCW | used from 0 nm out; 31 nm from the line | 330/20 | 280/29 18° | 280/36 10° | 280/36 4° | 260/35 -12° | 260/52 -20° | 270/91 -29° | 270/96 -37° | 270/88 -48° |
| MSP | used from 98 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 330/18 | 290/22 11° | 290/38 10° | 290/47 4° | 280/39 -12° | 260/53 -23° | 270/87 -30° | 270/107 -37° | 270/102 -48° |
| AXN | used from 195 nm out; 19 nm from the line | 330/20 | 290/20 11° | 280/37 9° | 280/50 2° | 260/41 -13° | 250/48 -25° | 260/82 -33° | 260/116 -38° | 260/105 -47° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALO Waterloo, IA | departure | no report just now | 873 ft | ||||
| CCY Charles City, IA | 29 nm out, 10 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 1,125 ft | ||||
| AEL Albert Lea, MN | 78 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 1,261 ft | ||||
| MKT Mankato, MN | 117 nm out, 4 nm north of the line | no report just now | 1,020 ft | ||||
| ULM New Ulm, MN | 137 nm out, 15 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 1,011 ft | ||||
| BDH Willmar, MN | 195 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 1,126 ft | ||||
| GHW Glenwood, MN | 225 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 1,393 ft | ||||
| FFM Fergus Falls, MN | 274 nm out, 2 nm west of the line | no report just now | 1,182 ft | ||||
| BWP Wahpeton, ND | 283 nm out, 18 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 968 ft | ||||
| FAR Fargo, ND | destination | no report just now | 901 ft |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,393 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
At FAR when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:33 am CDT (12:33 UTC)
FAR has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
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
ALO: 6 notices in force. all of them, grouped →
FAR: 7 notices in force. all of them, grouped →
Airports along the way: ULM runway 04/22 closed
33 notices near the line, the first 30 (airspace and special activity within 25 nm, navigation aids within 25 nm, obstructions within 5 nm):
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1227730) 42°41′N 92°29′W (2.7 nautical miles SSE C25) 1215.9FT (234.9FT above ground level) out of service until Tue 2 Feb, 1:10 am CST (07:10 UTC) · 10 nm along the route, 2 nm off the line · C25 10/052
as issued
!FOD 10/052 C25 OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1227730) 424159.00N0922913.70W (2.7NM SSE C25) 1215.9FT (234.9FT AGL) U/S 2610050710-2702020710
- Obstruction wind Turbine lights (ASN 2024-WTE-2381-OE) 42°58′N 92°46′W (9.2 nautical miles southwest CCY) 1,278 ft (267 ft above ground level) out of service until Sun 8 Nov, 12:09 am CST (06:09 UTC) · on the line, 29 nm along · CCY 09/004
as issued
!CCY 09/004 CCY OBST WIND TURBINE LGT (ASN 2024-WTE-2381-OE) 425834N0924626W (9.2NM SW CCY) 1278FT (267FT AGL) U/S 2609231107-2611080609
- Obstruction tower lights (ASN 2024-WTE-2380-OE) 43°04′N 92°49′W (9.3 nautical miles west CCY) 1,380 ft (267 ft above ground level) out of service until Thu 19 Nov, 3:47 pm CST (21:47 UTC), estimated · 39 nm along the route, 4 nm off the line · CCY 10/001
as issued
!CCY 10/001 CCY OBST TOWER LGT (ASN 2024-WTE-2380-OE) 430405N0924916W (9.3NM W CCY) 1380FT (267FT AGL) U/S 2610051549-2611192147EST
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1232395) 43°17′N 93°21′W (8.1 nautical miles north MCW) 1545.9FT (325.1FT above ground level) out of service until Wed 9 Dec, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 59 nm along the route, 10 nm off the line · MCW 10/003
as issued
!MCW 10/003 MCW OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1232395) 431732.40N0932110.00W (8.1NM N MCW) 1545.9FT (325.1FT AGL) U/S 2610091514-2612092359
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1333278) 43°17′N 93°12′W (9.0 nautical miles south 5D2) 1,490 ft (310 ft above ground level) out of service until Sat 7 Nov, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 68 nm along the route, 5 nm off the line · 5D2 10/078
as issued
!FOD 10/078 5D2 OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1333278) 431757.00N0931211.00W (9.0NM S 5D2) 1490FT (310FT AGL) U/S 2610071929-2611072359
- Navigation aid ILS runway 35 out of service until Fri 1 Dec 2028, 2:00 pm CST (20:00 UTC), estimated · 68 nm along the route, 18 nm off the line · AUM 09/007
as issued
!AUM 09/007 AUM NAV ILS RWY 35 U/S 2609301053-2812012000EST
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1023215) 43°38′N 93°22′W (2.8 nautical miles south AEL) 1,563 ft (348 ft above ground level) out of service until Thu 19 Nov, 3:16 pm CST (21:16 UTC), estimated · 78 nm along the route, 2 nm off the line · AEL 10/001
as issued
!AEL 10/001 AEL OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1023215) 433807.10N0932220.10W (2.8NM S AEL) 1563FT (348FT AGL) U/S 2610051517-2611192116EST
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1023215) 43°37′N 93°22′W (2.9 nautical miles south AEL) 1564.3FT (347.8FT above ground level) out of service until Wed 11 Nov, 3:07 am CST (09:07 UTC) · 78 nm along the route, 2 nm off the line · AEL 09/009
as issued
!AEL 09/009 AEL OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1023215) 433760.00N0932216.00W (2.9NM S AEL) 1564.3FT (347.8FT AGL) U/S 2609270908-2611110907
- Navigation aid ILS runway 30 DME out of service until Fri 4 Dec, 2:00 pm CST (20:00 UTC), estimated · 98 nm along the route, 22 nm off the line · OWA 04/006
as issued
!OWA 04/006 OWA NAV ILS RWY 30 DME U/S 2504291002-2612042000EST
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1060794) 43°53′N 93°53′W (10.8 nautical miles NNW 68Y) 1298.9FT (273.0FT above ground level) out of service until Sat 30 Jan, 8:29 am CST (14:29 UTC) · 107 nm along the route, 9 nm off the line · 68Y 10/032
as issued
!PNM 10/032 68Y OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1060794) 435352.70N0935350.20W (10.8NM NNW 68Y) 1298.9FT (273.0FT AGL) U/S 2610021429-2701301429
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1023467) 44°11′N 93°58′W (3.3 nautical miles southwest MKT) 1236.9FT (236.9FT above ground level) out of service until Tue 10 Nov, 5:48 pm CST (23:48 UTC) · 117 nm along the route, 2 nm off the line · MKT 08/006
as issued
!MKT 08/006 MKT OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1023467) 441106.10N0935825.80W (3.3NM SW MKT) 1236.9FT (236.9FT AGL) U/S 2608122248-2611102348
- Navigation aid ILS runway 33 outer marker out of service until Thu 30 Sep 2027, 4:11 pm CDT (21:11 UTC), estimated · 117 nm along the route, 4 nm off the line · MKT 02/022
as issued
!MKT 02/022 MKT NAV ILS RWY 33 OM U/S 2602131237-2709302111EST
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1024159) 44°13′N 94°07′W (8.5 nautical miles west MKT) 1689.6FT (702.1FT above ground level) out of service until Fri 16 Oct, 2:20 pm CDT (19:20 UTC) · 127 nm along the route, 5 nm off the line · MKT 10/001
as issued
!MKT 10/001 MKT OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1024159) 441320.00N0940704.00W (8.5NM W MKT) 1689.6FT (702.1FT AGL) U/S 2610011920-2610161920
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1023439) 44°21′N 94°10′W (12.6 nautical miles WSW 12Y) 1415.0FT (418.0FT above ground level) out of service until Sun 15 Nov, 10:57 pm CST (04:57 UTC) · 137 nm along the route, 5 nm off the line · 12Y 08/482
as issued
!PNM 08/482 12Y OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1023439) 442108.00N0941059.00W (12.6NM WSW 12Y) 1415.0FT (418.0FT AGL) U/S 2608180357-2611160457
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1270665) 44°49′N 94°45′W (5.5 nautical miles NNW 1D6) 1465.2FT (350.1FT above ground level) out of service until Sun 22 Nov, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 166 nm along the route, 7 nm off the line · 1D6 09/289
as issued
!PNM 09/289 1D6 OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1270665) 444906.80N0944509.80W (5.5NM NNW 1D6) 1465.2FT (350.1FT AGL) U/S 2609222351-2611222359
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1031879) 44°56′N 94°54′W (11.0 nautical miles NNE OVL) 1362.5FT (254.6FT above ground level) out of service until Wed 23 Dec, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 176 nm along the route, 8 nm off the line · OVL 09/002
as issued
!OVL 09/002 OVL OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1031879) 445608.00N0945404.00W (11.0NM NNE OVL) 1362.5FT (254.6FT AGL) U/S 2609222349-2612232359
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1029236) 45°07′N 95°01′W (4.7 nautical miles east BDH) 1430.1FT (270.0FT above ground level) out of service until Wed 18 Nov, 8:27 pm CST (02:27 UTC) · 195 nm along the route, 6 nm off the line · BDH 10/003
as issued
!BDH 10/003 BDH OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1029236) 450740.10N0950109.60W (4.7NM E BDH) 1430.1FT (270.0FT AGL) U/S 2610050228-2611190227
- Navigation aid ILS runway 31 outer marker out of service until Thu 28 Oct 2027, 4:11 pm CDT (21:11 UTC), estimated · 235 nm along the route, 9 nm off the line · AXN 04/020
as issued
!AXN 04/020 AXN NAV ILS RWY 31 OM U/S 2604101339-2710282111EST
- Navigation aid VOR/DME out of service until Tue 19 Jan, 2:00 pm CST (20:00 UTC), estimated · 235 nm along the route, 21 nm off the line · MOX 01/003
as issued
!MOX 01/003 MOX NAV VOR/DME U/S 2601060424-2701192000EST
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1235182) 45°56′N 95°28′W (5.4 nautical miles northwest AXN) 1890.7FT (451.8FT above ground level) out of service until Mon 2 Nov, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 244 nm along the route, 10 nm off the line · AXN 09/015
as issued
!AXN 09/015 AXN OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1235182) 455624.80N0952804.10W (5.4NM NW AXN) 1890.7FT (451.8FT AGL) U/S 2609281946-2611022359
- Obstruction tower lights (ASN 2018-above ground level-13681-OE) 46°07′N 95°46′W (12.1 nautical miles northeast Y63) 1,645 ft (362 ft above ground level) out of service until Wed 21 Oct, 7:52 pm CDT (00:52 UTC) · 254 nm along the route, 7 nm off the line · Y63 09/002
as issued
!Y63 09/002 Y63 OBST TOWER LGT (ASN 2018-AGL-13681-OE) 460712N0954608W (12.1NM NE Y63) 1645FT (362FT AGL) U/S 2609070052-2610220052
- Navigation aid ILS runway 31 out of service until Fri 16 Apr, 3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC), estimated · 274 nm along the route, 2 nm off the line · FFM 10/004
as issued
!FFM 10/004 FFM NAV ILS RWY 31 U/S 2610091001-2704162000EST
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1249489) 46°17′N 96°07′W (1.4 nautical miles ENE FFM) 1339.2FT (141.1FT above ground level) out of service until Fri 16 Oct, 11:59 pm CDT (04:59 UTC) · 274 nm along the route, 2 nm off the line · FFM 10/001
as issued
!FFM 10/001 FFM OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1249489) 461739.30N0960735.40W (1.4NM ENE FFM) 1339.2FT (141.1FT AGL) U/S 2610020559-2610170459
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1024484) 46°14′N 95°58′W (7.7 nautical miles ESE FFM) 1866.1FT (485.9FT above ground level) out of service until Sat 24 Oct, 6:59 pm CDT (23:59 UTC) · 274 nm along the route, 5 nm off the line · FFM 09/010
as issued
!FFM 09/010 FFM OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1024484) 461443.00N0955847.00W (7.7NM ESE FFM) 1866.1FT (485.9FT AGL) U/S 2609240814-2610242359
- Navigation aid VOR/DME out of service until Wed 27 Jan, 2:00 pm CST (20:00 UTC), estimated · 274 nm along the route, 3 nm off the line · FFM 09/003
as issued
!FFM 09/003 FFM NAV VOR/DME U/S 2609041010-2701272000EST
- Navigation aid ILS runway 31 Hamre LOM out of service until further notice · 274 nm along the route, 2 nm off the line · FFM 07/011
as issued
!FFM 07/011 FFM NAV ILS RWY 31 HAMRE LOM U/S 2607211714-PERM
- Navigation aid ILS runway 31 middle marker out of service until further notice · 274 nm along the route, 2 nm off the line · FFM 07/010
as issued
!FFM 07/010 FFM NAV ILS RWY 31 MM U/S 2607211703-PERM
- Navigation aid ILS runway 31 middle marker out of service until Tue 30 Nov 2027, 3:11 pm CST (21:11 UTC), estimated · 274 nm along the route, 2 nm off the line · FFM 04/010
as issued
!FFM 04/010 FFM NAV ILS RWY 31 MM U/S 2604301224-2711302111EST
- Navigation aid ILS runway 31 outer marker out of service until Tue 30 Nov 2027, 3:11 pm CST (21:11 UTC), estimated · 274 nm along the route, 2 nm off the line · FFM 04/009
as issued
!FFM 04/009 FFM NAV ILS RWY 31 OM U/S 2604301223-2711302111EST
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1222946) 46°24′N 96°11′W (7.2 nautical miles NNW FFM) 1595.1FT (305.1FT above ground level) out of service until Sat 30 Jan, 12:15 am CST (06:15 UTC) · 283 nm along the route, 2 nm off the line · FFM 10/002
as issued
!FFM 10/002 FFM OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1222946) 462401.90N0961154.90W (7.2NM NNW FFM) 1595.1FT (305.1FT AGL) U/S 2610020615-2701300615
From the FAA's notice service (NOTAMs), the site's copy refreshed every few minutes; last checked a minute 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 ALO 6:30 pm CDT (23:30 UTC), at FAR 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:14 pm CDT (00:14 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at FAR is before sunrise there (7:42 am CDT (12:42 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: Waterloo Regional, Hector International.