Des Moines International to John Wayne/Orange County DSM → SNA
1,239 nautical miles (1,426 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 256°, about 255° magnetic at the departure end (variation 1E). At 120 knots that is 12 h 54 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 24-knot headwind), arriving about 8:59 am PDT (15:59 UTC). Right now DSM is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 8 knots; SNA is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) 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: 216 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 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 first 450 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 430 to 729 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 460 to 1029 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 560 to 729 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 570 to 699 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 739 to 929 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 789 to 1049 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 819 to 1129 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 899 to 1019 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the last 200 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 80 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 DSM.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent B407 at 10,000 ft, 7 nm northwest, 9:13 pm CDT (02:13 UTC): moderate to severe turbulence. 540 nm along the route, 7 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UUA /OV 10 W COS/TM 0213/FL100/TP B407/TB MDT-SEV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through COS
- Where
- 10 west cos
- Time
- 02:13 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B407
- Turbulence
- mdt-sev
- UAL1340 at 40,000 ft, 50 nm north, 7:18 pm CDT (00:18 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 244° at 70 knots. 320 nm along the route, 50 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1340 4046N 10049W 0018 F400 244/070KT TB OCNL MOD CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- B738 at 18,000 ft, 23 nm northwest, 9:02 pm CDT (02:02 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-41. 550 nm along the route, 23 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK270030/TM 0202/FL180/TP B738/TB MOD CHOP 180-250/RM DURC ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of BRK
- Time
- 02:02 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate chop from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-41
- BE9L at 24,500 ft, 25 nm south, 9:21 pm CDT (02:21 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 570 nm along the route, 25 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0221/FL245/TP BE9L/TB OCNL MOD/RM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 02:21 UTC
- Height
- at 24,500 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-41
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 11 nm southeast, 7:09 pm CDT (00:09 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-38. 699 nm along the route, 11 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK360050/TM 0009/FL430/TP GLF4/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-38
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm north (360°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:09 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-38
- SW4 at 15,000 ft, 7 nm north, 8:39 pm CDT (01:39 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, freezing, rain, 0 °C, remarks: instrument conditions ZDVWC-36. 709 nm along the route, 7 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CEZ UA /OV CEZ030030/TM 0139/FL150/TP SW4/SK BASE150/WX FZ RA/TA 00/TB CONS MOD/IC LGT RIME/RM IMC ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through CEZ
- Where
- 30 nm northeast (030°) of CEZ
- Time
- 01:39 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SW4
- Sky
- BASE150
- Weather
- freezing, rain
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- instrument conditions ZDVWC-36
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 12 nm south, 7:15 pm CDT (00:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 749 nm along the route, 12 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK290045/TM 0015/FL430/TP GLF4/TB CONS MOD/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 45 nm west (290°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- B38M at 14,000 ft, 11 nm northwest, 7:13 pm CDT (00:13 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, 8 °C. 1179 nm along the route, 11 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT053034/TM 0013/FL140/TP B38M/TA 08/TB MODERATE TURBULENCE/IC LIGHT RIME ICE 190 - 170
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 34 nm northeast (053°) of ONT
- Time
- 00:13 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Icing
- light rime ice at 19,000 ft at 17,000 ft
- CL60 at 33,000 ft, 4 nm northwest, 9:35 pm CDT (02:35 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-100FT zdvwc. 510 nm along the route, 4 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK080015/TM 0235/FL330/TP CL60/RM MTW +/-100FT ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm east (080°) of BRK
- Time
- 02:35 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Remarks
- mtw +/-100FT zdvwc
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 34 nm north, 7:20 pm CDT (00:20 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft. 520 nm along the route, 34 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN170025/TM 0020/FL140/TP B737/TB LGT-MOD/RM LGT-MOD 140-160 OCCN LGT ABOVE 160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm south (170°) of DEN
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft
- GLF6 at 40,000 ft, 21 nm north, 7:48 pm CDT (00:48 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 530 nm along the route, 21 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS340020/TM 0048/FL400/TP GLF6/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 20 nm north (340°) of COS
- Time
- 00:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- A21N at 31,000 ft, 32 nm south, 7:24 pm CDT (00:24 UTC): remarks: mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29. 530 nm along the route, 32 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB/TM 0024/FL310/TP A21N/RM MTN WAVE +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- over PUB
- Time
- 00:24 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Remarks
- mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- E55P at 38,000 ft, 26 nm northwest, 8:23 pm CDT (01:23 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-05. 540 nm along the route, 26 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV FQF200040/TM 0123/FL380/TP E55P/TB LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40 nm south (200°) of FQF
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- at 38,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E55P
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-05
- B737 at 25,000 ft, 9 nm northwest, 7:29 pm CDT (00:29 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-29. 540 nm along the route, 9 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK242015/TM 0029/FL250/TP B737/SK TOP280/TA 00/IC LGT RIME/RM DURC ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (242°) of BRK
- Time
- 00:29 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- TOP280
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-29
16 more routine reports are on the map.
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 12 forecast points nearest it (DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, PUB, ALS, FMN, BCE, PRC, LAS, BLH, ONT). 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 | 230° at 32 kt | +29 kt | 17 °C | 91 kt | 13 h 37 min | 9:42 am PDT (16:42 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | +28 kt | 14 °C | 92 kt | 13 h 28 min | 9:33 am PDT (16:33 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 26 kt | +24 kt | 10 °C | 96 kt | 12 h 54 min | 8:59 am PDT (15:59 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 26 kt | +24 kt | 6 °C | 96 kt | 12 h 54 min | 8:59 am PDT (15:59 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +25 kt | 2 °C | 95 kt | 13 h 03 min | 9:08 am PDT (16:08 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | +29 kt | -2 °C | 91 kt | 13 h 37 min | 9:42 am PDT (16:42 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | +33 kt | -6 °C | 87 kt | 14 h 14 min | 10:19 am PDT (17:19 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 38 kt | +36 kt | -10 °C | 84 kt | 14 h 45 min | 10:50 am PDT (17:50 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 47 kt | +44 kt | -21 °C | 76 kt | 16 h 18 min | 12:23 pm PDT (19:23 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 62 kt | +61 kt | -30 °C | 59 kt | 21 h | 5:05 pm PDT (00:05 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 66 kt | +66 kt | -36 °C | 54 kt | 22 h 57 min | 7:02 pm PDT (02:02 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 58 kt | +59 kt | -46 °C | 61 kt | 20 h 19 min | 4:24 pm PDT (23:24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSM | used from 0 nm out; 25 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 50 nm out; 29 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 150 nm out; 44 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 300 nm out; 66 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° | |
| PUB | used from 450 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 230/25 13° | 230/32 6° | 220/44 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 240/70 -28° | 240/67 -34° | 240/58 -46° | ||
| ALS | used from 599 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 230/37 4° | 220/54 -9° | 230/62 -22° | 240/77 -26° | 240/74 -33° | 230/59 -45° | |||
| FMN | used from 649 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 220/28 9° | 220/40 2° | 220/53 -10° | 220/62 -22° | 230/79 -28° | 240/91 -34° | 230/71 -45° | ||
| BCE | used from 799 nm out; 100 nm from the line | 220/27 -1° | 210/40 -13° | 220/54 -21° | 220/64 -30° | 220/64 -34° | 220/52 -44° | |||
| PRC | used from 899 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 210/25 5° | 200/30 1° | 220/55 -10° | 220/61 -21° | 220/84 -28° | 230/90 -34° | 230/73 -45° | ||
| LAS | used from 999 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 210/21 10° | 200/18 5° | 200/23 -2° | 210/49 -14° | 210/63 -21° | 220/58 -30° | 220/61 -35° | 210/56 -44° | |
| BLH | used from 1099 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 210/13 | 200/21 11° | 200/22 5° | 210/25 -1° | 210/51 -10° | 220/61 -20° | 220/81 -29° | 220/92 -34° | 220/79 -45° |
| ONT | used from 1149 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 190/8 | 190/19 6° | 210/23 4° | 210/29 -3° | 210/47 -13° | 210/49 -19° | 220/47 -30° | 220/50 -36° | 220/55 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSM Des Moines, IA | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 23,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 23,000 ft | 957 ft | 9:54 pm CDT (02:54 UTC) |
| OMA Omaha, NE | 100 nm out, 13 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 |
| LNK Lincoln, NE | 150 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,218 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| ADT Atwood, KS | 350 nm out, 1 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,990 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| SYF St Francis, KS | 390 nm out, 9 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,429 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 530 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet, a broken layer at 16,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 16,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| CEZ Cortez, CO | 739 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,917 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| BDG Blanding, UT | 769 nm out, 23 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 8,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 5,867 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| GCN Grand Canyon, AZ | 929 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,700 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 14 knots, gusting to 22 | 7 mi | 600 ft | 6,608 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 1049 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,900 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 15 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | 4,900 ft | 707 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| RIV Riverside, CA | 1209 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 12,000 ft | 1,536 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| SNA Santa Ana, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 55 ft | 7:53 pm PDT (02:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,608 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SNA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:59 am PDT (15:59 UTC)
Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SNA
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for DSM, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 14 nm from the route, 540 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 20 nm from the route, 560 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, 1049 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 5 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at DSM 6:38 pm CDT (23:38 UTC), at SNA 6:21 pm PDT (01:21 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:46 pm PDT (01:46 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: Des Moines International, John Wayne/Orange County.