Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall to Charles M Schulz/Sonoma County BWI → STS
2,134 nautical miles (2,456 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 284°, about 295° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 19 h 57 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 13-knot headwind), arriving about 4:35 pm PDT (23:35 UTC). Right now BWI is low IFR, wind from the east-northeast (060°) at 8 knots; STS is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) 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: 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
- SIGMET E11E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 12:55 am EDT (04:55 UTC). Over the first 110 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120255 MKCE WST 120255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 11E VALID UNTIL 0455Z NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND DE NJ NY MD CT VA CSTL WTRS FROM 20NE JFK-90SE SIE-20NNW ORF-30ENE EKN-10S JST-20NE JFK AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- SIGMET 2C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 12:55 am EDT (04:55 UTC). Over the route from 1317 to 1317 nm out.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120255 MKCC WST 120255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 2C VALID UNTIL 0455Z NE CO WY FROM 40SE CZI-30WNW BFF-30SSE LAR-70NW LAR-40SE CZI AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- SIGMET W12W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 12:55 am EDT (04:55 UTC). Over the route from 1755 to 1875 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120255 MKCW WST 120255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 12W VALID UNTIL 0455Z NV FROM 40SSE TWF-10W ELY-30SE OAL-30W OAL-70WSW TWF-40SSE TWF AREA TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- 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 419 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 190 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 50 to 199 nm out.
- 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 768 to 1177 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 1177 to 1636 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 1237 to 1606 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 1317 to 1546 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 1436 to 1935 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1436 to 1855 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 1476 to 1526 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 160 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 BWI.
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 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 20 forecast points nearest it (PSB, EKN, AGC, CMH, FWA, IND, JOT, BRL, DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, BFF, DEN, RKS, SLC, ELY, BAM, RNO, SAC). 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 14 kt | +13 kt | 18 °C | 107 kt | 19 h 57 min | 4:35 pm PDT (23:35 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 260° at 13 kt | +14 kt | 14 °C | 106 kt | 20 h 08 min | 4:46 pm PDT (23:46 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 250° at 13 kt | +14 kt | 9 °C | 106 kt | 20 h 08 min | 4:46 pm PDT (23:46 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 250° at 14 kt | +15 kt | 5 °C | 105 kt | 20 h 19 min | 4:57 pm PDT (23:57 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 16 kt | +16 kt | 1 °C | 104 kt | 20 h 31 min | 5:09 pm PDT (00:09 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 18 kt | +18 kt | -3 °C | 102 kt | 20 h 55 min | 5:33 pm PDT (00:33 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 250° at 20 kt | +20 kt | -7 °C | 100 kt | 21 h 20 min | 5:58 pm PDT (00:58 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 22 kt | +22 kt | -11 °C | 98 kt | 21 h 47 min | 6:25 pm PDT (01:25 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 25 kt | +26 kt | -22 °C | 94 kt | 22 h 42 min | 7:20 pm PDT (02:20 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 32 kt | +34 kt | -32 °C | 86 kt | 24 h 49 min | 9:27 pm PDT (04:27 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 42 kt | +45 kt | -38 °C | 75 kt | 28 h 27 min | 1:05 am PDT (08:05 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 43 kt | +46 kt | -46 °C | 74 kt | 28 h 50 min | 1:28 am PDT (08:28 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSB | used from 0 nm out; 105 nm from the line | 360/13 13° | 330/14 7° | 300/11 3° | 290/12 -11° | 240/23 -23° | 270/25 -36° | 250/34 -40° | 250/45 -48° | |
| EKN | used from 50 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 330/21 12° | 330/25 7° | 350/22 2° | 330/24 -10° | 310/27 -21° | 320/33 -35° | 290/31 -39° | 290/34 -47° | |
| AGC | used from 100 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 350/14 | 330/20 11° | 340/18 8° | 330/17 3° | 340/22 -11° | 340/31 -22° | 330/33 -36° | 300/34 -41° | 300/35 -47° |
| CMH | used from 199 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 330/15 | 340/22 14° | 340/24 9° | 340/23 4° | 340/35 -9° | 340/49 -20° | 340/58 -37° | 330/70 -42° | 340/55 -47° |
| FWA | used from 349 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 300/17 | 320/20 16° | 330/20 10° | 340/15 3° | 310/27 -8° | 320/37 -20° | 330/52 -36° | 330/65 -43° | 330/60 -50° |
| IND | used from 449 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 290/16 | 310/20 16° | 320/21 10° | 330/13 3° | 300/25 -7° | 320/32 -19° | 330/46 -34° | 320/61 -43° | 320/63 -50° |
| JOT | used from 499 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 15° | 250/16 10° | 240/9 4° | 280/22 -7° | 280/29 -19° | 300/29 -34° | 290/50 -43° | 300/64 -52° |
| BRL | used from 598 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 230/24 | 240/29 15° | 290/16 10° | 280/15 4° | 260/23 -7° | 260/32 -19° | 260/36 -33° | 280/48 -41° | 280/59 -52° |
| DSM | used from 748 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 230/40 | 250/33 17° | 250/18 12° | 240/17 5° | 260/28 -8° | 270/34 -19° | 260/41 -33° | 260/55 -41° | 270/62 -51° |
| OMA | used from 848 nm out; 17 nm from the line | 220/47 | 240/33 19° | 250/18 11° | 230/17 6° | 260/29 -8° | 250/33 -19° | 250/51 -33° | 260/61 -40° | 270/62 -49° |
| GRI | used from 948 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 230/35 21° | 230/23 13° | 220/20 7° | 240/25 -8° | 240/37 -20° | 250/49 -33° | 260/57 -38° | 260/58 -47° | |
| GLD | used from 1097 nm out; 112 nm from the line | 230/49 | 230/42 15° | 220/26 8° | 240/18 -7° | 230/27 -21° | 240/62 -30° | 240/61 -35° | 250/57 -47° | |
| BFF | used from 1147 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° | |
| DEN | used from 1297 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 240/21 14° | 250/44 6° | 220/49 -8° | 220/49 -21° | 230/54 -30° | 240/57 -35° | 240/49 -45° | ||
| RKS | used from 1396 nm out; 79 nm from the line | 200/41 | 220/44 1° | 220/35 -11° | 220/46 -24° | 210/53 -27° | 220/62 -35° | 230/61 -44° | ||
| SLC | used from 1546 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 200/5 | 230/8 2° | 220/20 -2° | 210/40 -12° | 190/53 -25° | 210/62 -30° | 220/69 -34° | 220/64 -43° | |
| ELY | used from 1696 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 200/39 3° | 210/27 -2° | 210/45 -15° | 220/56 -24° | 210/60 -28° | 210/63 -34° | 220/61 -43° | ||
| BAM | used from 1795 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 310/7 0° | 270/19 -7° | 200/38 -17° | 190/49 -28° | 220/69 -29° | 220/63 -33° | 230/48 -41° | ||
| RNO | used from 1895 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 010/9 | 320/10 -2° | 210/23 -9° | 210/34 -19° | 220/36 -25° | 230/31 -29° | 230/41 -33° | 230/38 -42° | |
| SAC | used from 2045 nm out; 17 nm from the line | 110/6 | L/V 4° | 010/11 -2° | 350/11 -7° | 340/24 -16° | 360/44 -23° | 330/24 -30° | 270/21 -35° | 230/23 -43° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BWI Baltimore, MD | departure | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the east-northeast (060°) at 8 knots | 5 mi | 400 ft | 143 ft | 10:54 pm EDT (02:54 UTC) |
| MRB Martinsburg, WV | 60 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, a broken layer at 1,000 feet, overcast at 2,700 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (010°) at 6 knots | 9 mi | 500 ft | 564 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| OSU Columbus, OH | 299 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 5 knots | 8 mi | 1,400 ft | 905 ft | 03:05 UTC |
| GUS Peru, IN | 449 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 810 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| DSM Des Moines, IA | 788 nm out, 25 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 23,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 23,000 ft | 957 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| OMA Omaha, NE | 888 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 984 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| SNY Sidney, NE | 1207 nm out, 2 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 9 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | none | 4,314 ft | 19:53 UTC |
| CYS Cheyenne, WY | 1287 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the east (090°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,159 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| PVU Provo, UT | 1606 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 900 feet, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the east (100°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 4,496 ft | 03:18 UTC |
| TMT Austin, NV | 1865 nm out, 9 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,600 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (010°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 5,735 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| SMF Sacramento, CA | 2075 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 26 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| STS Santa Rosa, CA | destination | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 128 ft | 7:53 pm PDT (02:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,159 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At STS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:35 pm PDT (23:35 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for STS
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 12:00 am PDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 2 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for BWI, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 400 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 3 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 600 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, 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 north-northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 6 nm from the route, at the departure end · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 9 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 9 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
- 6/3475 BEALE AFB, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 9 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 1 November · ZOA
- 6/6740 SACRAMENTO, CA, Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local 9 nm from the route, at the destination end · air shows/sports · ended 11 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at BWI 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC), at STS 6:37 pm PDT (01:37 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:04 pm PDT (02:04 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: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, Charles M Schulz/Sonoma County.
