Plan a flight · Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC)

Erie Intl/Tom Ridge Field to Sacramento International ERI → SMF

1,886 nautical miles (2,171 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 278°, about 288° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 18 h 19 min at the quickest height in today's winds (6,500 ft, a 17-knot headwind), arriving about 1:19 am PDT (08:19 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ERI is marginal VFR, wind variable at 4 knots; SMF 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: 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 W27W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 27,000 ft, moving from the west at 45 knots, until 11:55 am EDT (15:55 UTC). Over the route from 1377 to 1427 nm out.
as issued
```
WSUS33 KKCI 121355
MKCW WST 121355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 27W
VALID UNTIL 1555Z
WY UT ID
FROM 40E PIH-20NW BPI-50E SLC-20SW SLC-40E PIH
DMSHG AREA TS MOV FROM 26045KT. TOPS TO FL270.
```
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 10 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 778 to 1078 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 1058 to 1268 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1108 to 1198 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1178 to 1717 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 1198 to 1717 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 220 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 1806 nm along 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 ERI.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

E170 at 28,000 ft, 17 nm north, 9:10 am EDT (13:10 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 240 nm along the route, 17 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GRR UA /OV VIO/TM 1310/FL280/TP E170/TB OCNL MOD CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through GRR
Where
over VIO
Time
13:10 UTC
Height
at 28,000 ft
Aircraft
E170
Turbulence
occasional moderate chop
A319 at 19,000 ft, 37 nm south, 9:53 am EDT (13:53 UTC): moderate turbulence, moderate rime icing, -12 °C, wind 234° at 38 knots, remarks: during the descent. 1427 nm along the route, 37 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV FFU/TM 1353/FL190/TP A319/TA M12/WV 234038/TB MOD TURB/IC MOD RIME/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
over FFU
Time
13:53 UTC
Height
at 19,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Temperature
−12 °C
Wind
from 234° at 38 knots
Turbulence
moderate turbulence
Icing
moderate rime
Remarks
during the descent
PA46 climbing, 10 nm southwest, 9:03 am EDT (13:03 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 10 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BUF UA /OV ERI180005/TM 1303/FLDURC/TP PA46/SK BASES 013 TOPS 035
```
Report
a routine report filed through BUF
Where
5 nm south (180°) of ERI
Time
13:03 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
PA46
Sky
bases 1,300 ft tops 3,500 ft
CRJ7 climbing, 7 nm southwest, 8:29 am EDT (12:29 UTC): overcast from 1,600 ft to 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 7 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BUF UA /OV ERI/TM 1229/FLDURC/TP CRJ7/SK OVC 016 TOPS 040
```
Report
a routine report filed through BUF
Where
over ERI
Time
12:29 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
CRJ7
Sky
overcast from 1,600 ft, tops 4,000 ft
AC90 at 2,000 ft, 2 nm southwest, 7:05 am EDT (11:05 UTC): overcast from 2,000 ft to 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 2 nm southwest 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, 0 nm northeast, 7:05 am EDT (11:05 UTC): remarks: bases reported at at 2,000 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm northeast 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
LJ45 at 4,000 ft, 48 nm south, 9:09 am EDT (13:09 UTC): clear from 4,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 48 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
YNG UA /OV YNG/TM 1309/FL040/TP LJ45/SK B014 T038 CLR ABV/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through YNG
Where
over YNG
Time
13:09 UTC
Height
at 4,000 ft
Aircraft
LJ45
Sky
B014 T038 clear above
Remarks
during the climb
B39M at 2,700 ft, 50 nm south, 9:13 am EDT (13:13 UTC): remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 50 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CLE UA /OV CLE/TM 1313/FL027/TP B39M/SK B027/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through CLE
Where
over CLE
Time
13:13 UTC
Height
at 2,700 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Sky
B027
Remarks
during the descent
C680 descending, 50 nm south, 7:53 am EDT (11:53 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 50 nm south 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
UAL2759 at 35,000 ft, 19 nm south, 7:14 am EDT (11:14 UTC): no turbulence, wind 313° at 72 knots. At the departure end, 19 nm south 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
A320 at 2,000 ft, 12 nm southwest, 8:36 am EDT (12:36 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 140 nm along the route, 12 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DTW UA /OV DXO228003/TM 1236/FL020/TP A320/SK B003 T015
```
Report
a routine report filed through DTW
Where
3 nm southwest (228°) of DXO
Time
12:36 UTC
Height
at 2,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Sky
B003 T015
BSC3 at 2,700 ft, 11 nm south, 8:32 am EDT (12:32 UTC): remarks: during the climb. 140 nm along the route, 11 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DTW UA /OV 2 S DTW/TM 1232/FL027/TP BSC3/SK B005 T016/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through DTW
Where
2 south dtw
Time
12:32 UTC
Height
at 2,700 ft
Aircraft
BSC3
Sky
B005 T016
Remarks
during the climb
B717 at 400 ft, 9 nm south, 7:23 am EDT (11:23 UTC): remarks: bases 400 ft during the descent. 140 nm along the route, 9 nm south 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
B350 at 2,000 ft, 19 nm north, 7:22 am EDT (11:22 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 140 nm along the route, 19 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PTK UA /OV PTK090005/TM 1122/FL020/TP B350/WX FV10SM
```
Report
a routine report filed through PTK
Where
5 nm east (090°) of PTK
Time
11:22 UTC
Height
at 2,000 ft
Aircraft
B350
Weather
flight visibility 10 miles

16 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 16 forecast points nearest it (CLE, FWA, MKG, JOT, DBQ, MCW, OMA, FSD, ONL, BFF, 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	260° at 18 kt	+18 kt	22 °C	102 kt	18 h 29 min	1:29 am PDT (08:29 UTC)
6,500 ft	260° at 17 kt	+17 kt	16 °C	103 kt	18 h 19 min	1:19 am PDT (08:19 UTC)
8,500 ft	250° at 18 kt	+17 kt	10 °C	103 kt	18 h 19 min	1:19 am PDT (08:19 UTC)
10,500 ft	240° at 21 kt	+20 kt	4 °C	100 kt	18 h 52 min	1:52 am PDT (08:52 UTC)
12,500 ft	240° at 24 kt	+23 kt	0 °C	97 kt	19 h 27 min	2:27 am PDT (09:27 UTC)
14,500 ft	240° at 24 kt	+23 kt	-4 °C	97 kt	19 h 27 min	2:27 am PDT (09:27 UTC)
16,500 ft	240° at 24 kt	+23 kt	-9 °C	97 kt	19 h 27 min	2:27 am PDT (09:27 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	240° at 24 kt	+23 kt	-12 °C	97 kt	19 h 27 min	2:27 am PDT (09:27 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	240° at 30 kt	+29 kt	-22 °C	91 kt	20 h 44 min	3:44 am PDT (10:44 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	250° at 38 kt	+39 kt	-33 °C	81 kt	23 h 17 min	6:17 am PDT (13:17 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 43 kt	+44 kt	-38 °C	76 kt	24 h 49 min	7:49 am PDT (14:49 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 45 kt	+48 kt	-46 °C	72 kt	26 h 12 min	9:12 am PDT (16:12 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
CLE	used from 0 nm out; 67 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 150 nm out; 100 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°
MKG	used from 200 nm out; 61 nm from the line	260/28	260/18 15°	250/16 9°	260/22 4°	280/31 -9°	270/35 -21°	270/44 -35°	270/42 -45°	290/61 -51°
JOT	used from 349 nm out; 69 nm from the line	250/25	260/22 14°	250/17 9°	270/21 5°	280/28 -8°	280/36 -20°	270/41 -35°	280/57 -42°	290/65 -50°
DBQ	used from 399 nm out; 47 nm from the line	250/27	260/23 17°	240/26 10°	260/30 4°	280/26 -9°	280/36 -21°	270/41 -36°	280/52 -41°	290/67 -48°
MCW	used from 549 nm out; 31 nm from the line	250/36	250/24 19°	240/26 11°	250/30 5°	270/22 -9°	260/30 -21°	260/31 -36°	280/53 -38°	280/66 -48°
OMA	used from 649 nm out; 83 nm from the line	230/47	240/33 21°	230/22 13°	220/27 5°	240/35 -8°	250/43 -21°	260/47 -33°	260/59 -36°	270/58 -46°
FSD	used from 699 nm out; 61 nm from the line	210/20	230/23 21°	220/25 14°	230/30 5°	230/26 -9°	240/30 -21°	270/33 -36°	260/47 -37°	270/58 -47°
ONL	used from 749 nm out; 48 nm from the line		250/31 22°	230/27 16°	220/25 8°	230/25 -9°	220/29 -22°	250/42 -33°	250/48 -36°	250/52 -46°
BFF	used from 948 nm out; 70 nm from the line		280/28	260/39 11°	240/34 5°	210/38 -11°	210/52 -22°	230/61 -31°	230/61 -36°	240/56 -45°
RKS	used from 1148 nm out; 114 nm from the line			250/9	230/21 -1°	210/43 -14°	220/59 -23°	220/55 -32°	220/53 -35°	220/48 -44°
SLC	used from 1347 nm out; 53 nm from the line		200/16	210/23 4°	220/34 -3°	210/40 -16°	220/66 -23°	220/64 -31°	220/57 -36°	220/50 -43°
ELY	used from 1497 nm out; 80 nm from the line			210/34 1°	220/40 -4°	220/39 -17°	210/51 -24°	220/65 -30°	220/60 -37°	220/56 -44°
BAM	used from 1597 nm out; 46 nm from the line			280/9 -2°	260/18 -8°	190/47 -19°	200/50 -29°	210/56 -29°	220/54 -34°	220/45 -42°
RNO	used from 1697 nm out; 71 nm from the line		010/6	270/12 -3°	220/26 -10°	280/13 -19°	350/44 -24°	320/30 -32°	260/22 -36°	240/24 -42°
SAC	used from 1846 nm out; 23 nm from the line	L/V	L/V 4°	340/9 -4°	340/22 -8°	360/71 -12°	360/82 -23°	350/58 -37°	310/30 -40°	270/25 -44°

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
ERI Erie, PA	departure	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 3,000 feet	variable at 4 knots	10+ mi	3,000 ft	732 ft	8:51 pm EDT (00:51 UTC)
DET Detroit, MI	130 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet	from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots	7 mi	none	624 ft	13:53 UTC
ENW Kenosha, WI	349 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	742 ft	13:53 UTC
JVL Janesville, WI	399 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 23,000 feet	from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	807 ft	13:45 UTC
SUX Sioux City, IA	719 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the southeast (130°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	1,098 ft	13:52 UTC
ONL O'Neill, NE	818 nm out, 3 nm west of the line	low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: fog	from the north-northwest (330°) at 6 knots	0.25 mi	300 ft	2,033 ft	13:35 UTC
GUR Guernsey, WY	1088 nm out, 18 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 feet	from the east-northeast (060°) at 3 knots	9 mi	none	4,401 ft	13:55 UTC
RWL Rawlins, WY	1198 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line	VFR	from the south (180°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	6,816 ft	13:53 UTC
SLC Salt Lake City, UT	1427 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet	from the south-southeast (160°) at 18 knots, gusting to 27	10+ mi	9,500 ft	4,230 ft	13:54 UTC
ENV Wendover, UT	1517 nm out, 12 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet	from the north (360°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	7,500 ft	4,236 ft	13:56 UTC
TRK Truckee, CA	1806 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,500 feet	calm	10+ mi	none	5,904 ft	13:47 UTC
SMF Sacramento, CA	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet	calm	10+ mi	none	26 ft	6:53 am PDT (13:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 6,816 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At SMF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:19 am PDT (08:19 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for SMF

From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

The forecast for ERI, the departure

From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
At times between Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): a broken layer at 800 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet
From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/8992 Monroe, MI, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local 21 nm from the route, 140 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Thursday 15 October · ZOB
6/3475 BEALE AFB, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 1 November · ZOA

Daylight

Sunset at ERI 6:44 pm EDT (22:44 UTC), at SMF 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:57 pm PDT (01:57 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SMF is before sunrise there (7:13 am PDT (14:13 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

Radar now, the Northeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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: Erie Intl/Tom Ridge Field, Sacramento International.