Washington Dulles International to Rapid City Regional IAD → RAP
1,186 nautical miles (1,365 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 293°, about 303° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 10 h 59 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 12-knot headwind), arriving about 8:08 am MDT (14:08 UTC). Right now IAD is IFR, wind from the north-northwest (340°) at 10 knots; RAP is low IFR, wind from the east-southeast (110°) at 4 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
- 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 329 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 159 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 30 to 169 nm out.
- 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 727 to 807 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 1066 to 1166 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 IAD.
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 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 10 forecast points nearest it (EKN, AGC, CMH, FWA, JOT, DBQ, MCW, FSD, PIR, RAP). 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 | 250° at 14 kt | +13 kt | 16 °C | 107 kt | 11 h 05 min | 8:14 am MDT (14:14 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 270° at 15 kt | +15 kt | 15 °C | 105 kt | 11 h 18 min | 8:27 am MDT (14:27 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 270° at 12 kt | +13 kt | 11 °C | 107 kt | 11 h 05 min | 8:14 am MDT (14:14 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 270° at 11 kt | +12 kt | 8 °C | 108 kt | 10 h 59 min | 8:08 am MDT (14:08 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 270° at 12 kt | +13 kt | 4 °C | 107 kt | 11 h 05 min | 8:14 am MDT (14:14 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 280° at 14 kt | +15 kt | -1 °C | 105 kt | 11 h 18 min | 8:27 am MDT (14:27 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 280° at 17 kt | +18 kt | -5 °C | 102 kt | 11 h 38 min | 8:47 am MDT (14:47 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 290° at 19 kt | +20 kt | -9 °C | 100 kt | 11 h 52 min | 9:01 am MDT (15:01 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 290° at 26 kt | +27 kt | -20 °C | 93 kt | 12 h 45 min | 9:54 am MDT (15:54 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 290° at 30 kt | +32 kt | -35 °C | 88 kt | 13 h 29 min | 10:38 am MDT (16:38 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 43 kt | +44 kt | -42 °C | 76 kt | 15 h 36 min | 12:45 pm MDT (18:45 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 48 kt | +49 kt | -49 °C | 71 kt | 16 h 42 min | 1:51 pm MDT (19:51 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EKN | used from 0 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 330/21 12° | 330/25 7° | 350/22 2° | 330/24 -10° | 310/27 -21° | 320/33 -35° | 290/31 -39° | 290/34 -47° | |
| AGC | used from 100 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 350/14 | 330/20 11° | 340/18 8° | 330/17 3° | 340/22 -11° | 340/31 -22° | 330/33 -36° | 300/34 -41° | 300/35 -47° |
| CMH | used from 199 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 330/15 | 340/22 14° | 340/24 9° | 340/23 4° | 340/35 -9° | 340/49 -20° | 340/58 -37° | 330/70 -42° | 340/55 -47° |
| FWA | used from 299 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 300/17 | 320/20 16° | 330/20 10° | 340/15 3° | 310/27 -8° | 320/37 -20° | 330/52 -36° | 330/65 -43° | 330/60 -50° |
| JOT | used from 448 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 15° | 250/16 10° | 240/9 4° | 280/22 -7° | 280/29 -19° | 300/29 -34° | 290/50 -43° | 300/64 -52° |
| DBQ | used from 598 nm out; 14 nm from the line | 230/33 | 250/30 16° | 280/15 9° | 260/15 5° | 260/21 -7° | 260/24 -20° | 250/37 -33° | 270/42 -43° | 280/63 -52° |
| MCW | used from 698 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/30 17° | 230/14 12° | 240/17 6° | 250/22 -8° | 270/29 -20° | 250/34 -34° | 260/52 -43° | 260/59 -51° |
| FSD | used from 847 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -47° |
| PIR | used from 996 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 170/22 19° | 190/25 13° | 210/32 6° | 240/23 -9° | 250/32 -21° | 250/38 -36° | 260/44 -40° | 260/52 -47° | |
| RAP | used from 1146 nm out; 20 nm from the line | 180/23 12° | 200/38 13° | 210/38 6° | 220/28 -10° | 230/34 -21° | 230/37 -36° | 250/52 -38° | 250/59 -46° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IAD Washington, DC | departure | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northwest (340°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 312 ft | 10:52 pm EDT (02:52 UTC) |
| MRB Martinsburg, WV | 30 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, a broken layer at 1,000 feet, overcast at 2,700 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (010°) at 6 knots | 9 mi | 500 ft | 564 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| MGW Morgantown, WV | 120 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, a broken layer at 1,300 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet Weather: light rain | calm | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 1,243 ft | 03:06 UTC |
| MFD Mansfield, OH | 259 nm out, 19 nm northeast of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the northwest (310°) at 3 knots | 6 mi | 300 ft | 1,297 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| FWA Fort Wayne, IN | 379 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 400 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 3 knots | 8 mi | none | 814 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| MDW Chicago, IL | 498 nm out, 2 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 619 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| DBQ Dubuque, IA | 638 nm out, 1 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,076 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| EGQ Emmetsburg, IA | 817 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 1,206 ft | ||||
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | 907 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 18,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 02:56 UTC |
| MHE Mitchell, SD | 967 nm out, 14 nm north of the line | VFR | from the northwest (320°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,304 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| PHP Philip, SD | 1126 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 400 feet, a few clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: mist | from the east-northeast (070°) at 8 knots | 6 mi | 1,300 ft | 2,209 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| RAP Rapid City, SD | destination | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the east-southeast (110°) at 4 knots | 1.75 mi | 300 ft | 3,203 ft | 9:03 pm MDT (03:03 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 3,203 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RAP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:08 am MDT (14:08 UTC)
Wind from the east-southeast at 8 knots, visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet low IFR
The whole forecast for RAP
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 8 knots, visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): visibility 3 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,500 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
The forecast for IAD, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility 3 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 600 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 2,100 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 8 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at IAD 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC), at RAP 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm MDT (00:42 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: Washington Dulles International, Rapid City Regional.