Bismarck Municipal to Gerald R Ford International BIS → GRR
688 nautical miles (791 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 104°, about 097° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 56 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 55-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:52 am EDT (10:52 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now BIS is IFR, wind from the east-northeast (060°) at 8 knots; GRR is VFR, wind from the southeast (140°) at 5 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 SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 219 nm of the route.
- 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 399 to 528 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the last 20 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 BIS.
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 02:00–09:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 6 forecast points nearest it (ABR, AXN, MSP, LSE, GRB, MKG). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 230° at 13 kt | −7 kt | 127 kt | 5 h 25 min | 8:21 am EDT (12:21 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 250° at 18 kt | −14 kt | 134 kt | 5 h 08 min | 8:04 am EDT (12:04 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 250° at 18 kt | −15 kt | 13 °C | 135 kt | 5 h 06 min | 8:02 am EDT (12:02 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 250° at 17 kt | −14 kt | 10 °C | 134 kt | 5 h 08 min | 8:04 am EDT (12:04 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 250° at 20 kt | −16 kt | 6 °C | 136 kt | 5 h 04 min | 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 260° at 23 kt | −19 kt | 1 °C | 139 kt | 4 h 57 min | 7:53 am EDT (11:53 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 260° at 26 kt | −23 kt | -4 °C | 143 kt | 4 h 49 min | 7:45 am EDT (11:45 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 270° at 29 kt | −27 kt | -9 °C | 147 kt | 4 h 41 min | 7:37 am EDT (11:37 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 270° at 30 kt | −28 kt | -10 °C | 148 kt | 4 h 39 min | 7:35 am EDT (11:35 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 34 kt | −32 kt | -21 °C | 152 kt | 4 h 32 min | 7:28 am EDT (11:28 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 270° at 37 kt | −35 kt | -36 °C | 155 kt | 4 h 26 min | 7:22 am EDT (11:22 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 270° at 44 kt | −43 kt | -44 °C | 163 kt | 4 h 13 min | 7:09 am EDT (11:09 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 57 kt | −55 kt | -51 °C | 175 kt | 3 h 56 min | 6:52 am EDT (10:52 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABR | used from 0 nm out; 103 nm from the line | 070/14 | 250/10 17° | 270/16 11° | 260/28 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/41 -22° | 270/33 -37° | 260/42 -42° | 260/50 -48° |
| AXN | used from 150 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 100/14 | 250/21 14° | 240/24 12° | 240/31 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/40 -21° | 250/42 -36° | 260/48 -45° | 260/53 -50° |
| MSP | used from 299 nm out; 19 nm from the line | 230/26 | 240/30 17° | 240/24 12° | 250/22 5° | 250/35 -10° | 260/36 -21° | 250/41 -36° | 250/49 -45° | 260/58 -52° |
| LSE | used from 399 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 230/40 | 240/24 17° | 240/13 10° | 250/13 6° | 280/22 -9° | 250/28 -21° | 250/41 -34° | 260/42 -44° | 270/62 -53° |
| GRB | used from 498 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 250/36 | 270/23 16° | 270/14 9° | 240/18 4° | 280/26 -9° | 280/29 -20° | 290/42 -36° | 290/51 -45° | 290/72 -55° |
| MKG | used from 598 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 260/22 | 290/16 15° | 300/11 10° | 290/5 3° | 300/26 -9° | 300/32 -20° | 320/48 -36° | 320/61 -45° | 310/74 -53° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIS Bismarck, ND | departure | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: light rain | from the east-northeast (060°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 1,661 ft | 1:52 am CDT (06:52 UTC) |
| GWR Gwinner, ND | 130 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | reported, no category | from the north (010°) at 13 knots, gusting to 19 | 1.25 mi | none | 1,265 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| ETH Wheaton, MN | 179 nm out, 11 nm south of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northwest (340°) at 7 knots | 1 mi | 200 ft | 1,022 ft | 06:34 UTC |
| GHW Glenwood, MN | 239 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 16,000 feet | from the north (350°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 16,000 ft | 1,393 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| ANE Minneapolis, MN | 329 nm out, 1 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 17,000 feet, overcast at 20,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots | 9 mi | 17,000 ft | 912 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| EAU Eau Claire, WI | 409 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 913 ft | 05:56 UTC |
| ISW Wisconsin Rapids, WI | 478 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,021 ft | 13:54 UTC |
| OSH Oshkosh, WI | 538 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 808 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| SBM Sheboygan, WI | 568 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 755 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| MKG Muskegon, MI | 648 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower | reported, no category | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 628 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| GRR Grand Rapids, MI | destination | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 5 knots | 7 mi | none | 793 ft | 2:53 am EDT (06:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,661 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At GRR when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:52 am EDT (10:52 UTC)
Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for GRR
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 3 knots, visibility 4 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC) and 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): visibility ½ mile, fog
- From Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC) and 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, mist, overcast at 3,500 feet (thunderheads)
The forecast for BIS, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, overcast at 700 feet
- At times between Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC) and 3:00 am CDT (08:00 UTC): visibility 3 miles, light rain, mist
- From Mon 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/6656 ANOKA, MN, Monday, October 5, 2026 through Monday, October 19, 2026 Local 2 nm from the route, 319 nm along the route · security · until 19 October · ZMP
Daylight
Sunset at BIS 6:59 pm CDT (23:59 UTC), at GRR 7:04 pm EDT (23:04 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:33 pm EDT (23:33 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at GRR is before sunrise there (7:51 am EDT (11:51 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: Bismarck Municipal, Gerald R Ford International.