Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta International to Joe Foss Field ATL → FSD
829 nautical miles (954 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 320°, about 325° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5W). At 120 knots that is 7 h 36 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 11-knot headwind), arriving about 5:44 am CDT (10:44 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ATL is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots; FSD is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 4 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: 720 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 SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: 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 route from 619 to 739 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 ATL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- CRJ9 at 32,000 ft, 35 nm southwest, 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-22. At the departure end, 35 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ATL UA /OV ATL240035/TM 0200/FL320/TP CRJ9/TB OCNL MOD CHOP /RM ZTLFD-22
- Report
- a routine report filed through ATL
- Where
- 35 nm southwest (240°) of ATL
- Time
- 02:00 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-22
- E170 at 33,000 ft, 32 nm southwest, 9:53 pm EDT (01:53 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-22. At the departure end, 32 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ATL UA /OV ATL280045/TM 0153/FL330/TP E170/TB CONS LGT CHOP /RM ZTLFD-22
- Report
- a routine report filed through ATL
- Where
- 45 nm west (280°) of ATL
- Time
- 01:53 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-22
- B739 at 34,000 ft, 49 nm northeast, 9:51 pm EDT (01:51 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 220 nm along the route, 49 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWG UA /OV BWG270010/TM 0151/FL340/TP B739/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWG
- Where
- 10 nm west (270°) of BWG
- Time
- 01:51 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate chop
- Remarks
- zme
- B737 at 31,000 ft, 17 nm southwest, 8:13 pm EDT (00:13 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZME25. 310 nm along the route, 17 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PAH UA /OV CNG360015/TM 0013/FL310/TP B737/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZME25
- Report
- a routine report filed through PAH
- Where
- 15 nm north (360°) of CNG
- Time
- 00:13 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- ZME25
- BE20 at 14,000 ft, 39 nm north, 8:20 pm EDT (00:20 UTC): light turbulence. At the destination end, 39 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FSD UA /OV FSD340035/TM 0020/FL140/TP BE20/TB CONS LGT/ NEG 120
- Report
- a routine report filed through FSD
- Where
- 35 nm north (340°) of FSD
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Turbulence
- continuous light no at 12,000 ft
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 10 forecast points nearest it (ATL, HSV, BNA, EVV, CGI, STL, BRL, DSM, OMA, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 260° at 19 kt | +11 kt | 109 kt | 7 h 36 min | 5:44 am CDT (10:44 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 270° at 19 kt | +14 kt | 15 °C | 106 kt | 7 h 49 min | 5:57 am CDT (10:57 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 290° at 18 kt | +16 kt | 12 °C | 104 kt | 7 h 58 min | 6:06 am CDT (11:06 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 290° at 16 kt | +15 kt | 8 °C | 105 kt | 7 h 54 min | 6:02 am CDT (11:02 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 290° at 15 kt | +14 kt | 4 °C | 106 kt | 7 h 49 min | 5:57 am CDT (10:57 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 290° at 17 kt | +16 kt | 0 °C | 104 kt | 7 h 58 min | 6:06 am CDT (11:06 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 280° at 20 kt | +17 kt | -4 °C | 103 kt | 8 h 03 min | 6:11 am CDT (11:11 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 280° at 22 kt | +19 kt | -7 °C | 101 kt | 8 h 12 min | 6:20 am CDT (11:20 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 290° at 26 kt | +23 kt | -19 °C | 97 kt | 8 h 33 min | 6:41 am CDT (11:41 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 290° at 36 kt | +34 kt | -33 °C | 86 kt | 9 h 38 min | 7:46 am CDT (12:46 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 48 kt | +45 kt | -41 °C | 75 kt | 11 h 03 min | 9:11 am CDT (14:11 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 300° at 46 kt | +44 kt | -50 °C | 76 kt | 10 h 54 min | 9:02 am CDT (14:02 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 320/30 | 330/37 16° | 340/44 11° | 330/35 7° | 310/33 -6° | 300/38 -18° | 330/58 -33° | 330/48 -40° | 320/34 -49° |
| HSV | used from 50 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 310/20 | 330/20 16° | 320/27 11° | 340/23 5° | 320/23 -7° | 340/30 -17° | 320/50 -33° | 330/61 -41° | 340/41 -50° |
| BNA | used from 150 nm out; 18 nm from the line | 310/20 | 340/20 17° | 330/24 10° | 340/22 5° | 330/26 -6° | 340/29 -18° | 330/52 -33° | 320/62 -41° | 340/45 -50° |
| EVV | used from 250 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 280/15 | 290/12 17° | 310/16 10° | 320/13 5° | 310/22 -6° | 320/26 -18° | 320/38 -33° | 310/56 -41° | 320/55 -51° |
| CGI | used from 300 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 240/20 | 270/15 15° | 280/15 11° | 300/13 6° | 290/20 -6° | 280/24 -18° | 300/34 -32° | 300/47 -41° | 310/49 -51° |
| STL | used from 350 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 250/24 | 250/24 16° | 260/23 9° | 270/16 6° | 260/25 -6° | 270/29 -19° | 290/34 -33° | 290/48 -41° | 290/54 -51° |
| BRL | used from 499 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 230/24 | 240/29 15° | 290/16 10° | 280/15 4° | 260/23 -7° | 260/32 -19° | 260/36 -33° | 280/48 -41° | 280/59 -52° |
| DSM | used from 599 nm out; 22 nm from the line | 230/40 | 250/33 17° | 250/18 12° | 240/17 5° | 260/28 -8° | 270/34 -19° | 260/41 -33° | 260/55 -41° | 270/62 -51° |
| OMA | used from 699 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 220/47 | 240/33 19° | 250/18 11° | 230/17 6° | 260/29 -8° | 250/33 -19° | 250/51 -33° | 260/61 -40° | 270/62 -49° |
| FSD | used from 749 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL Atlanta, GA | departure | VFR | from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,026 ft | 10:52 pm EDT (02:52 UTC) |
| RYY Atlanta, GA | 20 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,040 ft | 02:50 UTC |
| THA Tullahoma, TN | 140 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 1,084 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| JWN Nashville, TN | 190 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 500 feet Weather: mist | calm | 0.75 mi | 500 ft | 501 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| MWA Marion, IL | 330 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 471 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| BLV Belleville, IL | 390 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 459 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| STL St Louis, MO | 420 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 617 ft | 02:51 UTC |
| HAE Hannibal, MO | 499 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 768 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| DSM Des Moines, IA | 649 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 23,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 23,000 ft | 957 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| SLB Storm Lake, IA | 739 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,800 feet | from the south (180°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,487 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| CKP Cherokee, IA | 759 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,227 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 18,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 9:56 pm CDT (02:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,487 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At FSD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:44 am CDT (10:44 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for FSD
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Sun 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm CDT (04:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am CDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm CDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for ATL, the departure
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/0708 Goodlettsville, TN, Saturday, August 1, 2026 through Sunday, August 1, 2027 UTC 22 nm from the route, 200 nm along the route · security · until 1 August · ZME
Daylight
Sunset at ATL 7:07 pm EDT (23:07 UTC), at FSD 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:17 pm CDT (00:17 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at FSD is before sunrise there (7:37 am CDT (12:37 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: Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta International, Joe Foss Field.