Plan a flight · Sun 8:26 pm EDT (00:26 UTC)

Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta International to Rapid City Regional ATL → RAP

1,068 nautical miles (1,229 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 311°, about 316° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5W). At 120 knots that is 9 h 12 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 4-knot headwind), arriving about 3:38 am MDT (09:38 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ATL is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots; RAP is marginal VFR, wind from the northeast (050°) at 8 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: 46 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 6W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 100 to 200 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 998 nm along the route.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 0 nm of the route.

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

B752 descending, 0 nm west, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): remarks: final runway 26R atl. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ATL/TM 2303/FLDURD/TP B752/SK BASES 031 TOPS 045/RM FINAL RWY 26R ATL
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ATL
Time
23:03 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B752
Sky
bases 3,100 ft tops 4,500 ft
Remarks
final runway 26R atl
B739 descending, 0 nm west, 6:38 pm EDT (22:38 UTC): a broken layer above 3,200 ft, remarks: final runway 28 atl. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ATL/TM 2238/FLDURD/TP B739/SK BKN032/RM FINAL RWY 28 ATL
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ATL
Time
22:38 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B739
Sky
a broken layer from 3,200 ft
Remarks
final runway 28 atl
C55B at 3,000 ft, 31 nm northeast, 6:29 pm EDT (22:29 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 31 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LZU UA /OV 070010/TM 2229/FL030/TP C55B/SK BASE030
```
Report
a routine report filed through LZU
Where
wind from 070° at 10 knots
Time
22:29 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
C55B
Sky
BASE030
RV5 at 3,000 ft, 48 nm east, 5:55 pm EDT (21:55 UTC): overcast above 3,500 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AHN UA /OV 52A/TM 2155/FL030/TP RV5/SK OVC 035/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through AHN
Where
over 52A
Time
21:55 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
RV5
Sky
overcast from 3,500 ft
Remarks
during the descent
B717 descending, 0 nm west, 5:42 pm EDT (21:42 UTC): 18 °C, wind 284° at 15 knots, remarks: final runway 27L atl. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ATL/TM 2142/FLDURD/TP B717/SK BASES 030/TA 18/WV 284/15/RM FINAL RWY 27L ATL
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ATL
Time
21:42 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B717
Sky
bases 3,000 ft
Temperature
18 °C
Wind
284/15
Remarks
final runway 27L atl
FA7X at 41,000 ft, 49 nm southwest, 5:41 pm EDT (21:41 UTC): light chop turbulence above 41,000 ft, remarks: ztlfd. At the departure end, 49 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LGC UA /OV LGC085005/TM 2141/FL410/TP FA7X/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 410/RM ZTLFD
```
Report
a routine report filed through LGC
Where
5 nm east (085°) of LGC
Time
21:41 UTC
Height
at 41,000 ft
Aircraft
FA7X
Turbulence
occasional light chop at 41,000 ft
Remarks
ztlfd
A320 at 37,000 ft, 0 nm west, 5:36 pm EDT (21:36 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-27. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV GSU180035/TM 2136/FL370/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP/RM ZTLFD-27
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
35 nm south (180°) of GSU
Time
21:36 UTC
Height
at 37,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
ZTLFD-27
B712 at 3,000 ft, 35 nm northeast, 7:13 pm EDT (23:13 UTC): scattered clouds from 3,000 ft to 3,200 ft; clear from 3,200 ft to 60,000 ft. 80 nm along the route, 35 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA180005/TM 2313/FL030/TP B712/SK SCT030-TOP032/SKC
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
5 nm south (180°) of CHA
Time
23:13 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
B712
Sky
SCT030-TOP032 C
CRJ9 at 3,000 ft, 38 nm northeast, 6:51 pm EDT (22:51 UTC): overcast from 3,000 ft to 4,000 ft. 80 nm along the route, 38 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV 090005/TM 2251/FL030/TP CRJ9/SK OVC030-TOP040
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
wind from 090° at 5 knots
Time
22:51 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
overcast from 3,000 ft, tops 4,000 ft
P28A at 2,100 ft, 41 nm northeast, 5:33 pm EDT (21:33 UTC): remarks: base 2,100 ft. 170 nm along the route, 41 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MQY UA /OV MQY/TM 2133/FL021/TP P28A/RM BASE 021
```
Report
a routine report filed through MQY
Where
over MQY
Time
21:33 UTC
Height
at 2,100 ft
Aircraft
P28A
Remarks
base 2,100 ft
A319 at 32,000 ft, 43 nm northeast, 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZME62. 200 nm along the route, 43 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BNA UA /OV BNA315020/TM 2256/FL320/TP A319/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME62
```
Report
a routine report filed through BNA
Where
20 nm northwest (315°) of BNA
Time
22:56 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
ZME62
B77W at 31,000 ft, 43 nm northeast, 7:27 pm EDT (23:27 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 210 nm along the route, 43 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BNA UA /OV BNA315030/TM 2327/FL310/TP B77W/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through BNA
Where
30 nm northwest (315°) of BNA
Time
23:27 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
B77W
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
zme
B738 at 34,000 ft, 41 nm northeast, 7:41 pm EDT (23:41 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 230 nm along the route, 41 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CKV UA /OV CKV/TM 2341/FL340/TP B738/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through CKV
Where
over CKV
Time
23:41 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
zme
B38M at 25,000 ft, 17 nm southwest, 8:12 pm EDT (00:12 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZME26. 240 nm along the route, 17 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MKL UA /OV MKL045035/TM 0012/FL250/TP B38M/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZME26
```
Report
a routine report filed through MKL
Where
35 nm northeast (045°) of MKL
Time
00:12 UTC
Height
at 25,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
occasional light chop
Remarks
ZME26

3 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 12 forecast points nearest it (ATL, HSV, BNA, CGI, STL, COU, MKC, OMA, GRI, ONL, PIR, RAP). 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	240° at 12 kt	+4 kt	16 °C	116 kt	9 h 12 min	3:38 am MDT (09:38 UTC)
6,500 ft	260° at 13 kt	+10 kt	15 °C	110 kt	9 h 43 min	4:09 am MDT (10:09 UTC)
8,500 ft	270° at 18 kt	+15 kt	12 °C	105 kt	10 h 10 min	4:36 am MDT (10:36 UTC)
10,500 ft	280° at 20 kt	+18 kt	9 °C	102 kt	10 h 28 min	4:54 am MDT (10:54 UTC)
12,500 ft	280° at 21 kt	+20 kt	5 °C	100 kt	10 h 41 min	5:07 am MDT (11:07 UTC)
14,500 ft	280° at 22 kt	+21 kt	0 °C	99 kt	10 h 47 min	5:13 am MDT (11:13 UTC)
16,500 ft	280° at 23 kt	+22 kt	-4 °C	98 kt	10 h 54 min	5:20 am MDT (11:20 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	280° at 23 kt	+22 kt	-8 °C	98 kt	10 h 54 min	5:20 am MDT (11:20 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	290° at 25 kt	+24 kt	-19 °C	96 kt	11 h 08 min	5:34 am MDT (11:34 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	280° at 35 kt	+34 kt	-33 °C	86 kt	12 h 25 min	6:51 am MDT (12:51 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	290° at 40 kt	+39 kt	-41 °C	81 kt	13 h 11 min	7:37 am MDT (13:37 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	280° at 44 kt	+42 kt	-50 °C	78 kt	13 h 42 min	8:08 am MDT (14:08 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
ATL	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	300/23	320/26 14°	320/34 10°	320/41 5°	290/32 -6°	290/31 -18°	280/28 -33°	260/32 -41°	250/28 -50°
HSV	used from 50 nm out; 61 nm from the line	290/15	330/34 16°	330/38 11°	330/40 5°	320/36 -7°	320/31 -18°	320/44 -34°	330/53 -41°	330/34 -48°
BNA	used from 150 nm out; 42 nm from the line	280/13	340/34 16°	330/38 10°	330/44 5°	330/39 -8°	330/38 -19°	320/49 -34°	330/53 -40°	330/35 -47°
CGI	used from 250 nm out; 57 nm from the line	250/10	290/12 17°	290/18 11°	300/22 5°	320/25 -8°	330/30 -18°	320/53 -33°	320/66 -42°	320/56 -50°
STL	used from 399 nm out; 54 nm from the line	210/13	260/16 17°	270/21 10°	280/24 5°	310/20 -7°	320/22 -18°	320/44 -33°	320/59 -43°	310/69 -51°
COU	used from 449 nm out; 15 nm from the line	210/16	220/19 15°	240/33 10°	250/29 7°	280/21 -6°	280/19 -18°	300/34 -31°	300/40 -42°	300/60 -52°
MKC	used from 549 nm out; 48 nm from the line	200/28	220/30 16°	270/20 11°	280/22 7°	260/27 -6°	270/27 -18°	280/38 -32°	270/38 -40°	280/50 -52°
OMA	used from 649 nm out; 48 nm from the line	190/34	230/34 19°	250/25 12°	250/18 6°	250/22 -7°	250/28 -19°	260/34 -32°	260/39 -41°	280/56 -51°
GRI	used from 749 nm out; 53 nm from the line		210/31 19°	240/21 14°	240/17 6°	260/27 -7°	260/34 -18°	240/45 -32°	250/56 -40°	260/62 -51°
ONL	used from 799 nm out; 36 nm from the line		200/20 17°	230/26 14°	240/21 7°	250/27 -9°	260/32 -19°	240/44 -34°	240/56 -41°	250/62 -51°
PIR	used from 948 nm out; 78 nm from the line		L/V 17°	230/13 12°	220/22 6°	250/31 -9°	250/34 -21°	240/50 -35°	230/61 -43°	240/62 -51°
RAP	used from 998 nm out; 45 nm from the line		120/15 12°	180/22 11°	220/26 5°	230/35 -9°	240/40 -22°	240/50 -37°	240/51 -41°	240/47 -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 Sky: scattered clouds at 2,800 feet	from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	1,026 ft	8:20 pm EDT (00:20 UTC)
RYY Atlanta, GA	20 nm out, 12 nm northeast of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,400 feet, a broken layer at 2,800 feet	from the west (270°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	2,800 ft	1,040 ft	23:50 UTC
MRC Columbia/Mount Pleasant, TN	180 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	681 ft	00:10 UTC
PAH Paducah, KY	299 nm out, 21 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	410 ft	00:00 UTC
CGI Cape Girardeau, MO	329 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	341 ft	20:53 UTC
COU Columbia, MO	489 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	889 ft	23:54 UTC
STJ St Joseph, MO	619 nm out, 23 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	826 ft	23:53 UTC
LNK Lincoln, NE	729 nm out, 17 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	none	1,218 ft	23:54 UTC
OLU Columbus, NE	769 nm out, 4 nm west of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	1,447 ft	23:56 UTC
RBE Bassett, NE	888 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line	no report just now				2,349 ft
RAP Rapid City, SD	destination	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet	from the northeast (050°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	1,400 ft	3,203 ft	6:03 pm MDT (00:03 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 3,203 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At RAP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:38 am MDT (09:38 UTC)

Wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 4 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet IFR

The whole forecast for RAP

From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 4 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet
30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): light rain showers, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,500 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet

The forecast for ATL, the departure

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 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

6/8693 Atlanta, GA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 6 nm from the route, at the departure end · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZTL
6/7634 CENTRALIA, MO, Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 21 nm from the route, 499 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · today · ZKC

Daylight

Sunset at ATL 7:07 pm EDT (23:07 UTC), at RAP 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm MDT (00:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RAP is before sunrise there (7:02 am MDT (13:02 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

Radar now, the Southeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the lower Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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, Rapid City Regional.