Buffalo Niagara International to St. Louis Downtown Airport BUF → CPS
581 nautical miles (669 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 247°, about 258° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 5 h 11 min at the quickest height in today's winds (6,500 ft, a 8-knot headwind), arriving about 12:17 pm CDT (17:17 UTC). Right now BUF is IFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 5 knots; CPS is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 3 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: 5 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 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 374 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 10 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 BUF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B38M at 37,000 ft, 28 nm southeast, 7:36 am EDT (11:36 UTC): -48 °C, wind 335° at 62 knots, remarks: produced by skypath. At the departure end, 28 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
OLE UA /OV GEE249029 /TM 1136 /FL370 /TP B38M /TA M48 /WV 33562KT /RM PRODUCED BY SKYPATH
- Report
- a routine report filed through OLE
- Where
- 29 nm west (249°) of GEE
- Time
- 11:36 UTC
- Height
- at 37,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- −48 °C
- Wind
- from 335° at 62 knots
- Remarks
- produced by skypath
- A321 at 32,000 ft, 48 nm east, 7:04 am EDT (11:04 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: occasional moderate from syr to iag zob. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 1104/FL320/TP A321/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD/RM OCNL MOD FROM SYR TO IAG ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROC
- Where
- over ROC
- Time
- 11:04 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate
- Remarks
- occasional moderate from syr to iag zob
- B738 climbing, 0 nm southwest, 6:20 am EDT (10:20 UTC): overcast from 2,500 ft to 4,200 ft; scattered clouds above 700 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUF UA /OV BUF/TM 1020/FLDURC/TP B738/SK SCT007 OVC025 TOPS042
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUF
- Where
- over BUF
- Time
- 10:20 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- SCT007 OVC025 TOPS042
- A319 at 3,000 ft, 42 nm east, 6:17 am EDT (10:17 UTC): overcast above 3,000 ft, remarks: bases 3,000 ft tops 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 42 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROC UA /OV ROC220010/TM 1017/FL030/TP A319/SK 030 OVC/RM BASES 030 TOPS 040
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROC
- Where
- 10 nm southwest (220°) of ROC
- Time
- 10:17 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- at 3,000 ft overcast
- Remarks
- bases 3,000 ft tops 4,000 ft
- AC90 at 2,000 ft, 22 nm south, 7:05 am EDT (11:05 UTC): overcast from 2,000 ft to 4,000 ft. 79 nm along the route, 22 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ERI UA /OV JUNOG/TM 1105/FL020/TP AC90/SK OVC020-TOP040
- Report
- a routine report filed through ERI
- Where
- junog
- Time
- 11:05 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- AC90
- Sky
- overcast from 2,000 ft, tops 4,000 ft
- AC90 at 2,000 ft, 22 nm southeast, 7:05 am EDT (11:05 UTC): remarks: bases reported at at 2,000 ft. 79 nm along the route, 22 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ERI UA /OV KERI/TM 1105/FL020/TP AC90/RM BASES REPORTED AT 020
- Report
- a routine report filed through ERI
- Where
- over KERI
- Time
- 11:05 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- AC90
- Remarks
- bases reported at at 2,000 ft
- UAL2759 at 35,000 ft, 2 nm southwest, 7:14 am EDT (11:14 UTC): no turbulence, wind 313° at 72 knots. 148 nm along the route, 2 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2759 4155N 08149W 1114 F350 313/072KT TB SMTH IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- C680 descending, 28 nm southeast, 7:53 am EDT (11:53 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 168 nm along the route, 28 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CLE UA /OV DURD/TM 1153/FLDURD/TP C680/SK B022
- Report
- a routine report filed through CLE
- Where
- over DURD
- Time
- 11:53 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- C680
- Sky
- B022
- BE40 descending, 29 nm south, 7:03 am EDT (11:03 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 168 nm along the route, 29 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CLE UA /OV CLE230005/TM 1103/FLDURD/TP BE40/SK B020 T031
- Report
- a routine report filed through CLE
- Where
- 5 nm southwest (230°) of CLE
- Time
- 11:03 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- BE40
- Sky
- B020 T031
- A21N descending, 29 nm south, 6:11 am EDT (10:11 UTC): no turbulence, 12 °C. 168 nm along the route, 29 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CLE UA /OV CLE230005/TM 1011/FLDURD/TP A21N/SK B018 T035/TA +12/TB SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through CLE
- Where
- 5 nm southwest (230°) of CLE
- Time
- 10:11 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- B018 T035
- Temperature
- +12
- Turbulence
- smooth
- B717 at 400 ft, 45 nm north, 7:23 am EDT (11:23 UTC): remarks: bases 400 ft during the descent. 207 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 1123/FL004/TP B717/RM BASES 004 DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 11:23 UTC
- Height
- at 400 ft
- Aircraft
- B717
- Remarks
- bases 400 ft during the descent
- BE58 climbing, 21 nm northwest, 7:34 am EDT (11:34 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 236 nm along the route, 21 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 1134/FLDURC/TP BE58/SK B002 T018
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 11:34 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- BE58
- Sky
- B002 T018
- MD83 at 2,500 ft, 21 nm northwest, 6:43 am EDT (10:43 UTC): clear from 2,500 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: base 1,000 ft tops 2,500 ft clear above. 236 nm along the route, 21 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 1043/FL025/TP MD83/RM BASE 010 TOPS 025 CLEAR ABOVE
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 10:43 UTC
- Height
- at 2,500 ft
- Aircraft
- MD83
- Remarks
- base 1,000 ft tops 2,500 ft clear above
- A320 at 30,000 ft, 37 nm northwest, 7:49 am EDT (11:49 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the descent FL300-260 FL250 better. 315 nm along the route, 37 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASW UA /OV OLK/TM 1149/FL300/TP A320/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM DURD FL300-260 FL250 BETTER
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASW
- Where
- over OLK
- Time
- 11:49 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- Remarks
- during the descent FL300-260 FL250 better
7 more routine reports are on the map.
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 6 forecast points nearest it (BUF, CLE, FWA, IND, SPI, STL). 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 | 290° at 15 kt | +11 kt | 109 kt | 5 h 20 min | 12:26 pm CDT (17:26 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 300° at 14 kt | +8 kt | 13 °C | 112 kt | 5 h 11 min | 12:17 pm CDT (17:17 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 300° at 14 kt | +8 kt | 10 °C | 112 kt | 5 h 11 min | 12:17 pm CDT (17:17 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 300° at 16 kt | +10 kt | 6 °C | 110 kt | 5 h 17 min | 12:23 pm CDT (17:23 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 300° at 19 kt | +12 kt | 2 °C | 108 kt | 5 h 23 min | 12:29 pm CDT (17:29 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 300° at 22 kt | +12 kt | -1 °C | 108 kt | 5 h 23 min | 12:29 pm CDT (17:29 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 300° at 24 kt | +13 kt | -5 °C | 107 kt | 5 h 26 min | 12:32 pm CDT (17:32 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 27 kt | +13 kt | -8 °C | 107 kt | 5 h 26 min | 12:32 pm CDT (17:32 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 300° at 29 kt | +16 kt | -20 °C | 104 kt | 5 h 35 min | 12:41 pm CDT (17:41 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 300° at 39 kt | +20 kt | -35 °C | 100 kt | 5 h 49 min | 12:55 pm CDT (17:55 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 310° at 52 kt | +24 kt | -43 °C | 96 kt | 6 h 03 min | 1:09 pm CDT (18:09 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 310° at 61 kt | +24 kt | -51 °C | 96 kt | 6 h 03 min | 1:09 pm CDT (18:09 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUF | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 300/11 | 330/15 11° | 340/26 8° | 330/28 2° | 340/31 -10° | 340/32 -21° | 340/52 -37° | 340/59 -46° | 330/66 -53° |
| CLE | used from 99 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 310/7 | 350/20 14° | 340/16 9° | 320/21 2° | 320/32 -8° | 330/34 -20° | 330/45 -36° | 320/60 -45° | 320/64 -51° |
| FWA | used from 246 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 270/20 | 300/16 15° | 290/14 10° | 280/17 3° | 290/25 -7° | 280/30 -19° | 280/34 -35° | 290/48 -44° | 300/64 -52° |
| IND | used from 345 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 270/22 | 290/19 15° | 270/19 8° | 270/18 4° | 290/28 -7° | 280/35 -20° | 270/37 -34° | 300/51 -42° | 300/61 -51° |
| SPI | used from 443 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 260/28 | 250/22 15° | 250/14 9° | 260/20 6° | 280/27 -7° | 280/34 -19° | 280/48 -32° | 280/59 -41° | 300/60 -49° |
| STL | used from 542 nm out; 27 nm from the line | 250/26 | 240/21 15° | 240/22 11° | 250/23 6° | 270/28 -7° | 260/30 -19° | 280/52 -31° | 280/57 -40° | 300/57 -49° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUF Buffalo, NY | departure | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,600 feet Weather: mist | from the west-southwest (240°) at 5 knots | 4 mi | 600 ft | 726 ft | 7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC) |
| DKK Dunkirk, NY | 30 nm out, 16 nm south of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,600 feet | from the west (270°) at 8 knots | 7 mi | 1,600 ft | 692 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| ERI Erie, PA | 79 nm out, 22 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 3,000 feet | variable at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 3,000 ft | 732 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| BKL Cleveland, OH | 158 nm out, 25 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 1,800 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 583 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| PCW Port Clinton, OH | 207 nm out, 5 nm east of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 590 ft | 11:55 UTC |
| TOL Toledo, OH | 236 nm out, 21 nm northwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the south-southwest (210°) at 6 knots | 1 mi | 300 ft | 683 ft | 11:52 UTC |
| FWA Fort Wayne, IN | 315 nm out, 17 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet Weather: mist | from the south-southeast (160°) at 5 knots | 3 mi | 25,000 ft | 814 ft | 11:54 UTC |
| GUS Peru, IN | 355 nm out, 19 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 810 ft | 11:55 UTC |
| HUF Terre Haute, IN | 443 nm out, 20 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 9 mi | none | 589 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| MTO Mattoon/Charleston, IL | 483 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 722 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| VLA Vandalia, IL | 532 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | no report just now | 537 ft | ||||
| CPS Cahokia/St Louis, IL | destination | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 412 ft | 6:53 am CDT (11:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 814 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At CPS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:17 pm CDT (17:17 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for CPS
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for BUF, the departure
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Tue 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet
- 30% chance between Tue 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC) and 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
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 BUF 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC), at CPS 6:27 pm CDT (23:27 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:53 pm CDT (23:53 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: Buffalo Niagara International, St. Louis Downtown Airport.
