Dubuque Regional to Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field DBQ → MSN
75 nautical miles (86 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 053°, about 050° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3E). At 120 knots that is 26 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 54-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:47 am CDT (09:47 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DBQ is VFR, wind from the west (280°) at 11 knots; MSN is VFR, wind calm. 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
No SIGMET or AIRMET covers any part of this route right now.
Turbulence No turbulence warning in force along the route. No pilot has reported turbulence near the line in the last three hours. The government's turbulence forecast map ↗
Icing No icing warning in force along the route. No pilot has reported icing near the line in the last three hours. The freezing level is about 13,500 ft (from the winds-aloft temperatures), so icing is possible in cloud above that. The government's icing forecast map ↗
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 DBQ.
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 08:00–15:00 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 1 forecast point nearest it (DBQ). 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 | 290° at 22 kt | −12 kt | 132 kt | 34 min | 4:55 am CDT (09:55 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 270° at 34 kt | −26 kt | 146 kt | 31 min | 4:52 am CDT (09:52 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 280° at 37 kt | −28 kt | 14 °C | 148 kt | 30 min | 4:51 am CDT (09:51 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 280° at 37 kt | −26 kt | 10 °C | 146 kt | 31 min | 4:52 am CDT (09:52 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 280° at 38 kt | −26 kt | 4 °C | 146 kt | 31 min | 4:52 am CDT (09:52 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 270° at 40 kt | −31 kt | 0 °C | 151 kt | 30 min | 4:51 am CDT (09:51 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 270° at 44 kt | −37 kt | -5 °C | 157 kt | 29 min | 4:50 am CDT (09:50 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 260° at 49 kt | −43 kt | -9 °C | 163 kt | 28 min | 4:49 am CDT (09:49 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 260° at 50 kt | −45 kt | -10 °C | 165 kt | 27 min | 4:48 am CDT (09:48 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 53 kt | −43 kt | -20 °C | 163 kt | 28 min | 4:49 am CDT (09:49 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 78 kt | −54 kt | -29 °C | 174 kt | 26 min | 4:47 am CDT (09:47 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 82 kt | −56 kt | -37 °C | 176 kt | 26 min | 4:47 am CDT (09:47 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 85 kt | −47 kt | -49 °C | 167 kt | 27 min | 4:48 am CDT (09:48 UTC) |
Based on data from the 13th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 13th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBQ | used from 0 nm out; 23 nm from the line | 300/20 | 270/37 18° | 280/37 11° | 280/38 3° | 260/50 -10° | 270/53 -20° | 280/78 -29° | 280/82 -37° | 290/85 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBQ Dubuque, IA | departure | VFR | from the west (280°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,076 ft | 3:53 am CDT (08:53 UTC) |
| PVB Platteville, WI | 19 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the west (280°) at 11 knots, gusting to 15 | 10+ mi | none | 1,025 ft | 09:15 UTC |
| MSN Madison, WI | destination | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 886 ft | 3:53 am CDT (08:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,076 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
The codes as issued, and in English, for every airport in the table
DBQ Dubuque, IA
the observation and the forecast as issued, and in English
METAR KDBQ 130853Z AUTO 28011KT 10SM CLR 17/14 A2978 RMK AO2 SLP078 T01720139 53021 $
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KDBQ
- the station, KDBQ
- 130853Z
- observed 3:53 am CDT (08:53 UTC)
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 28011KT
- wind from the west at 11 knots
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- CLR
- clear skies
- 17/14
- temperature 17 °C (63 °F), dew point 14 °C (57 °F)
- A2978
- altimeter setting 29.78 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP078
- sea-level pressure 1007.8 hPa
- T01720139
- temperature 17.2 °C (63 °F), dew point 13.9 °C (57 °F)
- 53021
- pressure in the last three hours rising, faster lately, change 2.1 hPa
- $
- the station needs maintenance
TAF KDBQ 130807Z 1308/1406 28012KT P6SM SKC FM131100 31010KT P6SM OVC014 FM131500 30008KT P6SM SCT014 SCT250 FM140000 34007KT P6SM BKN100 OVC250 PROB30 1402/1406 4SM -TSRA BR BKN030CB
- TAF
- a terminal aerodrome forecast: the weather expected at the airport, usually for the next 24 or 30 hours
- KDBQ
- the station, KDBQ
- 130807Z
- issued 3:07 am CDT (08:07 UTC)
- 1308/1406 28012KT P6SM SKC
- valid from Tue 3:00 am CDT (08:00 UTC) to Wed 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- FM131100 31010KT P6SM OVC014
- from Tue 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 feet
- FM131500 30008KT P6SM SCT014 SCT250
- from Tue 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,400 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- FM140000 34007KT P6SM BKN100 OVC250
- from Tue 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet, overcast at 25,000 feet
- PROB30 1402/1406 4SM -TSRA BR BKN030CB
- a 30% chance from Tue 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC) to Wed 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, mist, a broken layer at 3,000 feet (thunderheads)
PVB Platteville, WI
the observation as issued, and in English
METAR KPVB 130915Z AUTO 28011G15KT 10SM CLR 18/17 A2977 RMK AO1 T01770166
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KPVB
- the station, KPVB
- 130915Z
- observed 09:15 UTC on the 13th
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 28011G15KT
- wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 15
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- CLR
- clear skies
- 18/17
- temperature 18 °C (64 °F), dew point 17 °C (63 °F)
- A2977
- altimeter setting 29.77 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO1
- automated station without a precipitation sensor (it cannot tell rain from snow)
- T01770166
- temperature 17.7 °C (64 °F), dew point 16.6 °C (62 °F)
MSN Madison, WI
the observation and the forecast as issued, and in English
METAR KMSN 130853Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 22/17 A2969 RMK AO2 SLP045 T02170172 53004 $
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KMSN
- the station, KMSN
- 130853Z
- observed 3:53 am CDT (08:53 UTC)
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 00000KT
- wind calm
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- CLR
- clear skies
- 22/17
- temperature 22 °C (72 °F), dew point 17 °C (63 °F)
- A2969
- altimeter setting 29.69 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP045
- sea-level pressure 1004.5 hPa
- T02170172
- temperature 21.7 °C (71 °F), dew point 17.2 °C (63 °F)
- 53004
- pressure in the last three hours rising, faster lately, change 0.4 hPa
- $
- the station needs maintenance
TAF KMSN 130520Z 1306/1406 23010KT P6SM SKC WS020/25045KT FM130900 30010KT P6SM FEW250 FM140000 00000KT P6SM SCT100
- TAF
- a terminal aerodrome forecast: the weather expected at the airport, usually for the next 24 or 30 hours
- KMSN
- the station, KMSN
- 130520Z
- issued 12:20 am CDT (05:20 UTC)
- 1306/1406 23010KT P6SM SKC WS020/25045KT
- valid from Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC) to Wed 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies, wind shear below 2,000 feet: wind from 250° at 45 knots above it
- FM130900 30010KT P6SM FEW250
- from Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- FM140000 00000KT P6SM SCT100
- from Tue 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
At MSN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:47 am CDT (09:47 UTC)
Wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MSN
- From Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies
- From Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Tue 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
The forecast for DBQ, the departure
- From Tue 3:00 am CDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Tue 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Tue 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,400 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Tue 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet, overcast at 25,000 feet
- 30% chance between Tue 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC) and 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, mist, a broken layer at 3,000 feet (thunderheads)
MSN: the forecast as issued, and in English
TAF KMSN 130520Z 1306/1406 23010KT P6SM SKC WS020/25045KT FM130900 30010KT P6SM FEW250 FM140000 00000KT P6SM SCT100
DBQ: the forecast as issued, and in English
TAF KDBQ 130807Z 1308/1406 28012KT P6SM SKC FM131100 31010KT P6SM OVC014 FM131500 30008KT P6SM SCT014 SCT250 FM140000 34007KT P6SM BKN100 OVC250 PROB30 1402/1406 4SM -TSRA BR BKN030CB
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Notices to air missions closures and things out of service at both ends; airspace, navigation aids and obstructions near the line
DBQ: 13 notices in force. all of them, grouped →
MSN: 18 notices in force. all of them, grouped →
4 notices near the line (airspace and special activity within 25 nm, navigation aids within 25 nm, obstructions within 5 nm):
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1232945) 42°34′N 90°14′W (11.4 nautical miles southeast PVB) 1349.7FT (324.8FT above ground level) out of service until Mon 7 Dec, 9:15 pm CST (03:15 UTC) · 19 nm along the route, 6 nm off the line · PVB 10/120
as issued
!GRB 10/120 PVB OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1232945) 423409.50N0901440.50W (11.4NM SE PVB) 1349.7FT (324.8FT AGL) U/S 2610080315-2612080315
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1230580) 42°42′N 90°29′W (2.1 nautical miles WNW PVB) 1221.8FT (259.8FT above ground level) out of service until Tue 20 Oct, 8:43 am CDT (13:43 UTC) · 19 nm along the route, 9 nm off the line · PVB 09/091
as issued
!GRB 09/091 PVB OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1230580) 424218.80N0902913.70W (2.1NM WNW PVB) 1221.8FT (259.8FT AGL) U/S 2609051344-2610201343
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1051548) 42°42′N 89°59′W (15.3 nautical miles southeast MRJ) 1375.0FT (313.0FT above ground level) out of service until Sat 28 Nov, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 37 nm along the route, 4 nm off the line · MRJ 09/009
as issued
!MRJ 09/009 MRJ OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1051548) 424215.00N0895942.00W (15.3NM SE MRJ) 1375.0FT (313.0FT AGL) U/S 2609281435-2611282359
- Airspace unmanned aircraft (drones) within an area defined as.7 nautical miles radius of 42°48′N 89°06′W (4.5 nautical miles south 58C) the surface-225 ft above ground level until Thu 31 Dec, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 75 nm along the route, 20 nm off the line · 58C 12/896
as issued
!GRB 12/896 58C AIRSPACE UAS WI AN AREA DEFINED AS .7NM RADIUS OF 424836N0890607W (4.5NM S 58C) SFC-225FT AGL 2512220400-2612312359
From the FAA's notice service (NOTAMs), the site's copy refreshed every few minutes; last checked 2 minutes ago. The FAA has so far issued eFlight its test feed, which misses some notices (checked against the FAA's own search on 12 October: about a third missing at Santa Barbara and Burbank, none at Atlanta or Las Vegas); the request for the full feed is with the FAA. Times are local to the field. This is for planning; the legal briefing comes from Flight Service or the FAA's own tools.
Daylight
Sunset at DBQ 6:24 pm CDT (23:24 UTC), at MSN 6:18 pm CDT (23:18 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:46 pm CDT (23:46 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MSN is before sunrise there (7:08 am CDT (12:08 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times.
The wind over the route live wind map, from Windy.com · drag the time bar for the coming hours; the level menu changes the height
Colours show wind speed, the moving lines its direction, at the surface unless you pick a height. Map and forecast by Windy.com; a second opinion beside the government's winds-aloft table above.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads · the turbulence and icing forecasts: turbulence ↗ · icing ↗
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: Dubuque Regional, Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field.