Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta International to San Diego International ATL → SAN
1,640 nautical miles (1,888 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 277°, about 282° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5W). At 120 knots that is 15 h 46 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 16-knot headwind), arriving about 7:26 pm PDT (02:26 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ATL is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 8 knots; SAN is marginal VFR, wind from the south (190°) 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: 4,771 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 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 route from 676 to 815 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 1123 to 1262 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1193 to 1620 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: 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 1243 to 1262 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1282 to 1372 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1600 to 1630 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
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 13 forecast points nearest it (ATL, BHM, MEM, LIT, FSM, OKC, SPS, LBB, ROW, ABQ, PHX, BLH, SAN). 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 19 kt | +17 kt | 21 °C | 103 kt | 15 h 55 min | 7:35 pm PDT (02:35 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 240° at 19 kt | +17 kt | 14 °C | 103 kt | 15 h 55 min | 7:35 pm PDT (02:35 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 18 kt | +16 kt | 11 °C | 104 kt | 15 h 46 min | 7:26 pm PDT (02:26 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 19 kt | +16 kt | 7 °C | 104 kt | 15 h 46 min | 7:26 pm PDT (02:26 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 21 kt | +17 kt | 4 °C | 103 kt | 15 h 55 min | 7:35 pm PDT (02:35 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +21 kt | 0 °C | 99 kt | 16 h 34 min | 8:14 pm PDT (03:14 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | +25 kt | -4 °C | 95 kt | 17 h 16 min | 8:56 pm PDT (03:56 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 31 kt | +28 kt | -7 °C | 92 kt | 17 h 50 min | 9:30 pm PDT (04:30 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 41 kt | +38 kt | -18 °C | 82 kt | 20 h | 11:40 pm PDT (06:40 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 52 kt | +51 kt | -29 °C | 69 kt | 23 h 46 min | 3:26 am PDT (10:26 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 52 kt | +53 kt | -38 °C | 67 kt | 24 h 29 min | 4:09 am PDT (11:09 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 46 kt | +47 kt | -49 °C | 73 kt | 22 h 28 min | 2:08 am PDT (09:08 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 330/32 | 340/36 17° | 350/34 10° | 340/25 6° | 330/27 -6° | 350/35 -18° | 330/49 -32° | 340/47 -41° | 340/27 -51° |
| BHM | used from 50 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 310/19 | 310/15 16° | 320/19 11° | 330/15 5° | 330/23 -5° | 320/14 -18° | 320/36 -32° | 330/44 -40° | 340/36 -51° |
| MEM | used from 199 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 250/19 | 260/19 17° | 270/20 12° | 270/16 6° | 270/21 -6° | 290/27 -17° | 300/37 -30° | 300/49 -40° | 310/40 -51° |
| LIT | used from 348 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 250/22 | 250/25 18° | 240/23 12° | 240/20 7° | 250/17 -6° | 260/25 -17° | 300/45 -29° | 300/49 -40° | 310/43 -51° |
| FSM | used from 447 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 230/33 | 260/23 15° | 240/23 11° | 230/18 8° | 230/20 -8° | 250/31 -17° | 280/51 -30° | 280/52 -39° | 300/47 -51° |
| OKC | used from 596 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 220/43 | 230/31 17° | 260/13 16° | 270/11 7° | 240/20 -6° | 250/32 -17° | 260/60 -28° | 280/50 -37° | 290/45 -50° |
| SPS | used from 646 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 220/35 | 220/31 18° | 230/16 14° | 230/10 8° | 250/18 -5° | 250/32 -16° | 260/51 -28° | 280/46 -38° | 300/50 -50° |
| LBB | used from 795 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 220/25 21° | 230/20 15° | 220/20 7° | 230/36 -6° | 240/50 -15° | 240/59 -28° | 260/52 -37° | 260/45 -50° | |
| ROW | used from 944 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 230/12 | 230/17 13° | 220/30 7° | 230/41 -5° | 240/52 -17° | 230/66 -28° | 240/63 -38° | 240/60 -50° | |
| ABQ | used from 1044 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 220/19 9° | 220/35 3° | 230/50 -8° | 240/64 -19° | 230/83 -26° | 230/85 -36° | 230/80 -48° | ||
| PHX | used from 1243 nm out; 109 nm from the line | 190/15 | 210/25 12° | 200/34 4° | 200/34 2° | 220/58 -9° | 220/75 -19° | 220/91 -28° | 220/100 -35° | 220/95 -47° |
| BLH | used from 1441 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 240/19 | 210/20 10° | 200/27 4° | 210/34 -2° | 220/59 -10° | 220/67 -20° | 220/75 -29° | 230/78 -38° | 220/90 -47° |
| SAN | used from 1591 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 240/10 | 220/19 6° | 230/26 2° | 230/29 -3° | 230/43 -11° | 220/61 -20° | 220/72 -29° | 220/75 -38° | 220/71 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL Atlanta, GA | departure | VFR | from the west-northwest (290°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,026 ft | 5:52 am EDT (09:52 UTC) |
| BHM Birmingham, AL | 119 nm out, 18 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | calm | 9 mi | none | 650 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| TUP Tupelo, MS | 219 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Weather: mist | calm | 6 mi | none | 346 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| PBF Pine Bluff, AR | 378 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 205 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| ADM Ardmore, OK | 626 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower | reported, no category | calm | none | 776 ft | 10:15 UTC | |
| LAW Lawton, OK | 696 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,110 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| PRZ Portales, NM | 944 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,077 ft | ||||
| ONM Socorro, NM | 1123 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,875 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| JTC Springerville, AZ | 1233 nm out, 23 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 12 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 7,055 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| FFZ Mesa, AZ | 1362 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 8,000 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 1,394 ft | 09:54 UTC |
| RNM Ramona, CA | 1620 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 2,700 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots | 5 mi | 1,400 ft | 1,394 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| SAN San Diego, CA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,100 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,100 feet Weather: light rain | from the south (190°) at 4 knots | 5 mi | 3,000 ft | 16 ft | 3:31 am PDT (10:31 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,055 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SAN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:26 pm PDT (02:26 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SAN
- From Mon 2:00 am PDT (09:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 2,600 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am PDT (09:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for ATL, the departure
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- 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 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8722 ALAMOGORDO, NM, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 1054 nm along the route · security · starts tomorrow · ZAB
- 6/2656 Coyote Wells, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 20 nm from the route, 1541 nm along the route · security · until 2 January · ZLA
- 6/2657 Calexico, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 20 nm from the route, 1541 nm along the route · security · until 2 January · ZLA
- 6/4812 El Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 Local 6 nm from the route, 1571 nm along the route · security · until 13 July · ZLA
- 6/2652 Coyote Wells, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 17 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 2 January · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at ATL 7:07 pm EDT (23:07 UTC), at SAN 6:18 pm PDT (01:18 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:43 pm PDT (01:43 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SAN is after sunset there (6:19 pm PDT (01:19 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, San Diego International.