Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International to Seattle-Tacoma International BHM → SEA
1,804 nautical miles (2,075 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 308°, about 311° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 16 h 06 min at the quickest height in today's winds (12,500 ft, a 8-knot headwind), arriving about 7:07 pm PDT (02:07 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now BHM is VFR, wind calm; SEA is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) 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: 1 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 379 to 847 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). Over the route from 887 to 1534 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 967 to 1126 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 996 to 1086 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1056 to 1096 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 1136 to 1345 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1136 to 1604 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 1355 to 1664 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 389 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 BHM.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BE9L at 17,000 ft, 24 nm southwest, 4:42 am CDT (09:42 UTC): light rime icing from 15,000 ft to 17,000 ft, 0 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 1096 nm along the route, 24 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CPR UA /OV DDY250025/TM 0942/FL170/TP BE9L/TA 00/IC LGT RIME 150-170/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CPR
- Where
- 25 nm west (250°) of DDY
- Time
- 09:42 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime from 15,000 ft to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- zdvwc
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 16 forecast points nearest it (BHM, HSV, MEM, CGI, SGF, MKC, SLN, GRI, GLD, BFF, LND, BIL, DLN, LWS, YKM, SEA). 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 | 250° at 20 kt | +13 kt | 23 °C | 107 kt | 16 h 52 min | 7:53 pm PDT (02:53 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 260° at 18 kt | +13 kt | 12 °C | 107 kt | 16 h 52 min | 7:53 pm PDT (02:53 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 250° at 15 kt | +10 kt | 6 °C | 110 kt | 16 h 24 min | 7:25 pm PDT (02:25 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 250° at 15 kt | +9 kt | 4 °C | 111 kt | 16 h 15 min | 7:16 pm PDT (02:16 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 16 kt | +8 kt | 1 °C | 112 kt | 16 h 06 min | 7:07 pm PDT (02:07 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 16 kt | +8 kt | -4 °C | 112 kt | 16 h 06 min | 7:07 pm PDT (02:07 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 17 kt | +8 kt | -8 °C | 112 kt | 16 h 06 min | 7:07 pm PDT (02:07 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 17 kt | +8 kt | -12 °C | 112 kt | 16 h 06 min | 7:07 pm PDT (02:07 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 28 kt | +13 kt | -22 °C | 107 kt | 16 h 52 min | 7:53 pm PDT (02:53 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 37 kt | +27 kt | -32 °C | 93 kt | 19 h 24 min | 10:25 pm PDT (05:25 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 41 kt | +31 kt | -38 °C | 89 kt | 20 h 16 min | 11:17 pm PDT (06:17 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 39 kt | +30 kt | -46 °C | 90 kt | 20 h 03 min | 11:04 pm PDT (06:04 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHM | used from 0 nm out; 25 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° |
| HSV | used from 50 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 300/20 | 310/14 16° | 310/18 10° | 310/15 4° | 320/19 -5° | 290/16 -18° | 320/36 -32° | 320/47 -41° | 330/42 -50° |
| MEM | used from 100 nm out; 62 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° |
| CGI | used from 249 nm out; 96 nm from the line | 260/22 | 250/15 15° | 250/13 11° | 250/16 6° | 270/29 -7° | 280/30 -18° | 290/40 -31° | 290/55 -40° | 300/51 -51° |
| SGF | used from 299 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 230/37 | 260/20 15° | 250/16 13° | 250/15 8° | 260/28 -7° | 250/31 -17° | 280/59 -31° | 280/59 -39° | 290/55 -50° |
| MKC | used from 448 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 240/49 | 240/21 20° | 220/19 13° | 230/21 6° | 260/26 -7° | 250/37 -19° | 270/66 -31° | 270/65 -38° | 280/60 -48° |
| SLN | used from 548 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 230/49 | 240/41 22° | 230/26 15° | 220/21 7° | 240/38 -8° | 240/44 -21° | 260/77 -29° | 270/70 -36° | 270/63 -48° |
| GRI | used from 648 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 230/39 23° | 230/32 15° | 210/29 7° | 230/31 -8° | 230/43 -21° | 250/52 -31° | 260/59 -35° | 260/59 -46° | |
| GLD | used from 797 nm out; 116 nm from the line | 260/37 | 260/25 14° | 250/27 8° | 230/36 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 250/71 -30° | 260/82 -36° | 250/73 -48° | |
| BFF | used from 847 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 280/28 | 260/39 11° | 240/34 5° | 210/38 -11° | 210/52 -22° | 230/61 -31° | 230/61 -36° | 240/56 -45° | |
| LND | used from 1046 nm out; 121 nm from the line | 240/10 3° | 240/30 0° | 220/42 -13° | 230/52 -23° | 220/54 -33° | 220/52 -36° | 220/53 -44° | ||
| BIL | used from 1246 nm out; 103 nm from the line | 300/14 | 270/19 -2° | 260/26 -2° | 220/28 -13° | 210/51 -25° | 220/56 -33° | 220/61 -39° | 220/72 -45° | |
| DLN | used from 1295 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 190/10 -4° | 220/23 -4° | 210/21 -18° | 210/43 -28° | 210/60 -33° | 210/72 -37° | 210/67 -44° | ||
| LWS | used from 1495 nm out; 57 nm from the line | L/V | 340/5 -3° | L/V -6° | 040/7 -10° | 100/23 -22° | 180/30 -31° | 190/11 -34° | 200/11 -36° | 220/23 -40° |
| YKM | used from 1644 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 360/6 | 360/11 -1° | 030/20 -7° | 040/21 -11° | 020/55 -18° | 010/84 -26° | 010/79 -40° | 010/45 -42° | 350/23 -42° |
| SEA | used from 1744 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 350/5 | 010/6 0° | 010/9 -4° | 010/27 -6° | 010/51 -15° | 360/58 -26° | 360/60 -41° | 350/55 -48° | 340/30 -45° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHM Birmingham, AL | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | calm | 9 mi | none | 650 ft | 4:53 am CDT (09:53 UTC) |
| OLV Olive Branch, MS | 169 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line, tower | reported, no category | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 401 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| NQA Millington, TN | 189 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 322 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| FOE Topeka, KS | 538 nm out, 11 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,077 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| MHK Manhattan, KS | 588 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,066 ft | 09:52 UTC |
| HDE Holdrege, NE | 727 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,313 ft | 09:35 UTC |
| GUR Guernsey, WY | 996 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the east-southeast (120°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,401 ft | 09:55 UTC |
| CPR Casper, WY | 1086 nm out, 23 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 6,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 20 knots, gusting to 26 | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 5,344 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| DLN Dillon, MT | 1375 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 5,244 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| LWS Lewiston, ID | 1574 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 1,442 ft | 09:56 UTC |
| MWH Moses Lake, WA | 1684 nm out, 19 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (020°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,188 ft | 09:52 UTC |
| SEA Seattle, WA | destination | VFR | from the east-southeast (120°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 432 ft | 2:53 am PDT (09:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,344 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SEA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:07 pm PDT (02:07 UTC)
Wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for SEA
- From Mon 2:00 am PDT (09:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for BHM, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC) and 8:00 am CDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, mist
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at BHM 6:17 pm CDT (23:17 UTC), at SEA 6:25 pm PDT (01:25 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:56 pm PDT (01:56 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SEA is after sunset there (6:27 pm PDT (01:27 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: Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International, Seattle-Tacoma International.