Joe Foss Field to Phoenix Sky Harbor International FSD → PHX
939 nautical miles (1,080 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 235°, about 230° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5E). At 120 knots that is 9 h 53 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 25-knot headwind), arriving about 11:32 am MST (18:32 UTC). Right now FSD is VFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 4 knots; PHX is VFR, wind from the east (090°) 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: 1,310 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 route from 70 to 270 nm out.
- 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 140 to 140 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 359 to 869 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 42,000 ft. Over the route from 389 to 859 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 429 to 569 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 849 to 869 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 869 to 929 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 FSD.
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 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 10 forecast points nearest it (FSD, ONL, GRI, GLD, DEN, PUB, ALS, FMN, PRC, PHX). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | +25 kt | 10 °C | 95 kt | 9 h 53 min | 11:32 am MST (18:32 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +27 kt | 7 °C | 93 kt | 10 h 06 min | 11:45 am MST (18:45 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | +31 kt | 3 °C | 89 kt | 10 h 33 min | 12:12 pm MST (19:12 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 35 kt | +35 kt | -1 °C | 85 kt | 11 h 03 min | 12:42 pm MST (19:42 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 40 kt | +40 kt | -6 °C | 80 kt | 11 h 44 min | 1:23 pm MST (20:23 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 43 kt | +43 kt | -9 °C | 77 kt | 12 h 12 min | 1:51 pm MST (20:51 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 53 kt | +53 kt | -21 °C | 67 kt | 14 h 01 min | 3:40 pm MST (22:40 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 70 kt | +71 kt | -30 °C | 49 kt | 19 h 10 min | 8:49 pm MST (03:49 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 78 kt | +78 kt | -35 °C | 42 kt | 22 h 21 min | 12:00 am MST (07:00 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 73 kt | +73 kt | -47 °C | 47 kt | 19 h 59 min | 9:38 pm MST (04:38 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSD | used from 0 nm out; 25 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 50 nm out; 34 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° | |
| GRI | used from 200 nm out; 115 nm from the line | 230/39 23° | 230/32 15° | 210/29 7° | 230/31 -8° | 230/43 -21° | 250/52 -31° | 260/59 -35° | 260/59 -46° | |
| GLD | used from 250 nm out; 87 nm from the line | 260/37 | 260/25 14° | 250/27 8° | 230/36 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 250/71 -30° | 260/82 -36° | 250/73 -48° | |
| DEN | used from 349 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° | ||
| PUB | used from 449 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 260/45 11° | 240/38 6° | 230/47 -8° | 230/51 -19° | 240/74 -29° | 240/82 -35° | 250/72 -48° | ||
| ALS | used from 499 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 240/35 3° | 230/54 -9° | 240/66 -19° | 230/85 -26° | 240/87 -34° | 240/70 -47° | |||
| FMN | used from 599 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° | ||
| PRC | used from 799 nm out; 102 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| PHX | used from 849 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 190/15 | 210/25 12° | 200/34 4° | 200/34 2° | 220/58 -9° | 220/75 -19° | 220/91 -28° | 220/100 -35° | 220/95 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | departure | VFR | from the north-northeast (020°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 2:56 am CDT (07:56 UTC) |
| AGZ Wagner, SD | 70 nm out, 15 nm northwest of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the north (010°) at 5 knots | 7 mi | 300 ft | 1,477 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| ONL O'Neill, NE | 110 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 300 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 3 knots | 7 mi | 300 ft | 2,033 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| GGF Grant, NE | 280 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,424 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| HEQ Holyoke, CO | 310 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,729 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 459 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 20,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,187 ft | 07:54 UTC |
| RCV Del Norte, CO | 559 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 13 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 7,955 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| PSO Pagosa Springs, CO | 599 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet Weather: mist | calm | 4 mi | 7,000 ft | 7,663 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| FMN Farmington, NM | 669 nm out, 15 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the east-southeast (110°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,506 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| TYL Taylor, AZ | 829 nm out, 22 nm southeast of the line | reported, no category | from the southwest (220°) at 9 knots, gusting to 14 | 10+ mi | none | 5,823 ft | 08:35 UTC |
| PAN Payson, AZ | 879 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 600 feet, a broken layer at 3,100 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet | variable at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 3,100 ft | 5,160 ft | 08:35 UTC |
| PHX Phoenix, AZ | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 9,500 feet | from the east (090°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,134 ft | 12:51 am MST (07:51 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 PHX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:32 am MST (18:32 UTC)
Wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for PHX
- From Sun 11:00 pm MST (06:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MST (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MST (20:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MST (01:00 UTC): wind from the west at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
The forecast for FSD, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm CDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 14,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 21 nm from the route, 479 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at FSD 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC), at PHX 5:57 pm MST (00:57 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:22 pm MST (01:22 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: Joe Foss Field, Phoenix Sky Harbor International.