Charleston Afb/Intl Airport to San Francisco International CHS → SFO
2,077 nautical miles (2,390 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 290°, about 297° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 19 h 03 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 11-knot headwind), arriving about 2:15 am PDT (09:15 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CHS is VFR, wind from the northwest (310°) at 6 knots; SFO is VFR, wind from the west (280°) 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: 2 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 W28W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the south at 35 knots, until 11:55 am EDT (15:55 UTC). Over the route from 1688 to 1738 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 121355 MKCW WST 121355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 28W VALID UNTIL 1555Z UT NV FROM 30SSW ELY-20E ILC-70NNE LAS-60ENE BTY-30SSW ELY AREA TS MOV FROM 20035KT. TOPS TO FL300.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Near the route, 240 nm along the route.
- 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 859 to 929 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 1158 to 1608 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1218 to 1408 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1338 to 1828 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1418 to 1558 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 1498 to 1758 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1538 to 1668 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 230 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1917 to 1977 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 CHS.
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 14:00–21:00 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 22 forecast points nearest it (CHS, CAE, ATL, HSV, MEM, LIT, SGF, FSM, TUL, ICT, GAG, GCK, PUB, ALS, FMN, GJT, BCE, ELY, BIH, FAT, SAC, SFO). 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 | 260° at 12 kt | +11 kt | 20 °C | 109 kt | 19 h 03 min | 2:15 am PDT (09:15 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 260° at 13 kt | +13 kt | 15 °C | 107 kt | 19 h 25 min | 2:37 am PDT (09:37 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 250° at 13 kt | +12 kt | 10 °C | 108 kt | 19 h 14 min | 2:26 am PDT (09:26 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 17 kt | +14 kt | 5 °C | 106 kt | 19 h 36 min | 2:48 am PDT (09:48 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 250° at 19 kt | +17 kt | 2 °C | 103 kt | 20 h 10 min | 3:22 am PDT (10:22 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 250° at 21 kt | +18 kt | -2 °C | 102 kt | 20 h 22 min | 3:34 am PDT (10:34 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 250° at 23 kt | +20 kt | -6 °C | 100 kt | 20 h 46 min | 3:58 am PDT (10:58 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 24 kt | +22 kt | -9 °C | 98 kt | 21 h 12 min | 4:24 am PDT (11:24 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 32 kt | +29 kt | -20 °C | 91 kt | 22 h 49 min | 6:01 am PDT (13:01 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 45 kt | +43 kt | -31 °C | 77 kt | 26 h 58 min | 10:10 am PDT (17:10 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 47 kt | +47 kt | -39 °C | 73 kt | 28 h 27 min | 11:39 am PDT (18:39 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 44 kt | +45 kt | -48 °C | 75 kt | 27 h 42 min | 10:54 am PDT (17:54 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHS | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 350/14 | 330/14 15° | 340/18 11° | 350/19 8° | 360/29 -5° | 350/33 -19° | 360/39 -31° | 360/28 -42° | 320/29 -50° |
| CAE | used from 50 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 340/11 | 330/13 14° | 350/24 11° | 350/26 8° | 340/26 -5° | 350/33 -18° | 340/31 -32° | 340/30 -41° | 330/32 -52° |
| ATL | used from 150 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 340/24 | 350/18 17° | 330/15 11° | 320/20 6° | 310/16 -4° | 300/18 -18° | 320/28 -32° | 330/43 -40° | 340/35 -51° |
| HSV | used from 300 nm out; 28 nm from the line | 290/11 | 300/10 15° | 300/17 12° | 290/20 6° | 290/18 -5° | 290/25 -17° | 310/38 -31° | 320/47 -40° | 330/43 -50° |
| MEM | used from 449 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 240/14 | 260/23 16° | 250/22 11° | 250/20 7° | 270/24 -6° | 270/27 -16° | 310/49 -30° | 310/46 -39° | 320/43 -50° |
| LIT | used from 599 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 230/23 | 250/23 17° | 250/18 11° | 250/18 7° | 250/27 -7° | 270/23 -15° | 290/50 -30° | 300/43 -38° | 320/38 -50° |
| SGF | used from 649 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 220/23 | 240/29 16° | 240/21 13° | 240/15 7° | 270/28 -7° | 260/34 -18° | 280/67 -29° | 290/59 -37° | 290/51 -49° |
| FSM | used from 699 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 210/15 | 230/31 18° | 230/26 12° | 240/22 8° | 260/26 -6° | 270/29 -16° | 280/56 -29° | 290/47 -37° | 310/41 -50° |
| TUL | used from 749 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 210/24 | 220/29 18° | 240/17 14° | 250/16 8° | 260/28 -6° | 260/36 -18° | 270/63 -28° | 280/54 -37° | 290/46 -49° |
| ICT | used from 849 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 200/26 | 240/31 21° | 230/30 14° | 240/30 7° | 250/38 -8° | 240/49 -19° | 260/73 -27° | 270/69 -37° | 270/63 -48° |
| GAG | used from 949 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 230/27 21° | 230/27 15° | 230/26 8° | 240/41 -7° | 250/54 -19° | 250/72 -27° | 260/70 -37° | 260/64 -49° | |
| GCK | used from 999 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 250/23 20° | 230/35 13° | 240/47 7° | 240/42 -7° | 250/43 -20° | 240/81 -28° | 250/87 -37° | 250/83 -49° | |
| PUB | used from 1148 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 250/31 11° | 240/42 5° | 230/46 -7° | 230/59 -20° | 240/77 -30° | 230/94 -37° | 240/95 -49° | ||
| ALS | used from 1248 nm out; 23 nm from the line | 230/34 2° | 230/57 -9° | 230/72 -19° | 230/82 -27° | 230/91 -36° | 240/89 -48° | |||
| FMN | used from 1348 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 170/14 8° | 210/28 0° | 230/57 -10° | 220/74 -21° | 230/82 -30° | 230/95 -37° | 230/102 -47° | ||
| GJT | used from 1448 nm out; 93 nm from the line | 190/30 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/50 -13° | 220/69 -22° | 220/81 -30° | 230/84 -39° | 230/88 -47° | ||
| BCE | used from 1498 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 200/31 -2° | 190/46 -14° | 210/72 -24° | 210/87 -30° | 220/89 -38° | 220/78 -46° | |||
| ELY | used from 1698 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 210/17 0° | 220/30 -6° | 190/50 -19° | 200/56 -28° | 210/76 -32° | 210/63 -37° | 210/59 -43° | ||
| BIH | used from 1798 nm out; 71 nm from the line | L/V | 340/7 -3° | L/V -8° | 250/15 -17° | 330/30 -24° | 270/23 -34° | 230/35 -39° | 230/39 -44° | |
| FAT | used from 1947 nm out; 63 nm from the line | L/V | 170/5 2° | 130/10 -4° | L/V -7° | 350/60 -11° | 340/62 -23° | 320/36 -38° | 270/25 -41° | 250/32 -44° |
| SAC | used from 1997 nm out; 51 nm from the line | L/V | 320/8 4° | 330/12 -3° | 350/25 -6° | 350/63 -12° | 340/65 -24° | 340/60 -40° | 340/45 -45° | 290/24 -45° |
| SFO | used from 2047 nm out; 15 nm from the line | 010/6 | 360/13 5° | 360/17 -3° | 350/39 -2° | 350/56 -11° | 350/57 -24° | 350/59 -40° | 340/50 -46° | 320/30 -47° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHS Charleston, SC | departure | VFR | from the northwest (310°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 46 ft | 9:56 am EDT (13:56 UTC) |
| AGS Augusta, GA | 100 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (350°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 145 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| LZU Lawrenceville, GA | 210 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,061 ft | 13:56 UTC |
| NQA Millington, TN | 509 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 322 ft | 14:50 UTC |
| XNA Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers, AR | 729 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots, gusting to 16 | 10+ mi | none | 1,288 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| PNC Ponca City, OK | 869 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,008 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| HQG Hugoton, KS | 1079 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,134 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| RCV Del Norte, CO | 1318 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 10 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 7,955 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| CDC Cedar City, UT | 1638 nm out, 13 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 9,500 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 5,622 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| TPH Tonopah, NV | 1828 nm out, 11 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 5,430 ft | 13:56 UTC |
| LVK Livermore, CA | 2047 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the east (100°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 399 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| SFO San Francisco, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 9,000 feet | from the west (280°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 13 ft | 6:56 am PDT (13:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,955 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SFO when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:15 am PDT (09:15 UTC)
Wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for SFO
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a few clouds at 9,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for CHS, the departure
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8928 Atlanta, GA, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 24 nm from the route, 220 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZTL
- 6/7094 45NM NE MERCED, CA, Sunday, October 4, 2026 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 UTC 4 nm from the route, 1937 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 20 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at CHS 6:50 pm EDT (22:50 UTC), at SFO 6:35 pm PDT (01:35 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:01 pm PDT (02:01 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SFO is before sunrise there (7:15 am PDT (14:15 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: Charleston Afb/Intl Airport, San Francisco International.
