Merced Yosemite Regional to Los Angeles International MCE → LAX
225 nautical miles (259 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 152°, about 137° magnetic at the departure end (variation 15E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 02 min at the quickest height in today's winds (17,500 ft, a 9-knot headwind), arriving about 10:02 pm PDT (05:02 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MCE is VFR, wind from the west (260°) at 9 knots; LAX is VFR, wind variable 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: 70 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 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 59 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the last 29 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 MCE.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BCS3 at 19,000 ft, 6 nm east, 6:53 pm PDT (01:53 UTC): light to moderate rime icing, -13 °C, remarks: zlawc. 78 nm along the route, 6 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
TPH UA /OV UTI250300/TM 0153/FL190/TP BCS3/TA M13/IC LGT-MOD RIME/RM ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through TPH
- Where
- 300 nm west (250°) of UTI
- Time
- 01:53 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Temperature
- −13 °C
- Icing
- light to moderate rime
- Remarks
- zlawc
- E75L climbing, 24 nm northeast, 7:15 pm PDT (02:15 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 216 nm along the route, 24 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT290030/TM 0215/FLDURC/TP E75L/SK T-078
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 30 nm west (290°) of ONT
- Time
- 02:15 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Sky
- T-078
- B739 at 4,000 ft, 10 nm northeast, 5:32 pm PDT (00:32 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. 216 nm along the route, 10 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUR UA /OV BUR/TM 0032/FL040/TP B739/SK OVC040
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUR
- Where
- over BUR
- Time
- 00:32 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- overcast from 4,000 ft
- SLG4 at 3,000 ft, 26 nm east, 6:33 pm PDT (01:33 UTC): scattered clouds above 4,000 ft. At the destination end, 26 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
EMT UA /OV EMT070006/TM 0133/FL030/TP SLG4/SK SCT040
- Report
- a routine report filed through EMT
- Where
- 6 nm east (070°) of EMT
- Time
- 01:33 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SLG4
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 4,000 ft
- B737 at 6,400 ft, 15 nm southeast, 6:30 pm PDT (01:30 UTC): a broken layer from 3,300 ft to 6,400 ft. At the destination end, 15 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGB UA /OV LGB/TM 0130/FL064/TP B737/SK BKN033-TOP064
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGB
- Where
- over LGB
- Time
- 01:30 UTC
- Height
- at 6,400 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,300 ft, tops 6,400 ft
- A21N at 2,000 ft, 29 nm east, 6:06 pm PDT (01:06 UTC): remarks: ils 25L haze below the ceiling. At the destination end, 29 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV LAX070030/TM 0106/FL020/TP A21N/SK TOPS068 BASES040/RM ILS 25L - HZ BELOW THE CEILING
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- 30 nm east (070°) of LAX
- Time
- 01:06 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- TOPS068 BASES040
- Remarks
- ils 25L haze below the ceiling
- A20N at 5,300 ft, 31 nm southeast, 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): a broken layer from 4,300 ft to 5,300 ft. At the destination end, 31 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SNA UA /OV SNA/TM 0100/FL053/TP A20N/SK BKN043-TOP053
- Report
- a routine report filed through SNA
- Where
- over SNA
- Time
- 01:00 UTC
- Height
- at 5,300 ft
- Aircraft
- A20N
- Sky
- a broken layer from 4,300 ft, tops 5,300 ft
- A21B at 4,000 ft, 1 nm southwest, 5:11 pm PDT (00:11 UTC): a broken layer above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 25L. At the destination end, 1 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV LAX/TM 0011/FL040/TP A21B/SK BKN-BASE040/RM DURD RY25L
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- over LAX
- Time
- 00:11 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21B
- Sky
- BKN-BASE040
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 25L
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 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 3 forecast points nearest it (FAT, SBA, WJF). 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 | 140° at 11 kt | +11 kt | 109 kt | 2 h 04 min | 10:04 pm PDT (05:04 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 180° at 19 kt | +17 kt | 6 °C | 103 kt | 2 h 11 min | 10:11 pm PDT (05:11 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 190° at 23 kt | +17 kt | 3 °C | 103 kt | 2 h 11 min | 10:11 pm PDT (05:11 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 26 kt | +17 kt | 0 °C | 103 kt | 2 h 11 min | 10:11 pm PDT (05:11 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 26 kt | +14 kt | -3 °C | 106 kt | 2 h 07 min | 10:07 pm PDT (05:07 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 210° at 25 kt | +12 kt | -7 °C | 108 kt | 2 h 05 min | 10:05 pm PDT (05:05 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | +11 kt | -10 °C | 109 kt | 2 h 04 min | 10:04 pm PDT (05:04 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | +9 kt | -13 °C | 111 kt | 2 h 02 min | 10:02 pm PDT (05:02 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 25 kt | +9 kt | -14 °C | 111 kt | 2 h 02 min | 10:02 pm PDT (05:02 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 31 kt | +9 kt | -23 °C | 111 kt | 2 h 02 min | 10:02 pm PDT (05:02 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 44 kt | +17 kt | -29 °C | 103 kt | 2 h 11 min | 10:11 pm PDT (05:11 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 45 kt | +17 kt | -36 °C | 103 kt | 2 h 11 min | 10:11 pm PDT (05:11 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 47 kt | +18 kt | -44 °C | 102 kt | 2 h 12 min | 10:12 pm PDT (05:12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAT | used from 0 nm out; 28 nm from the line | 130/16 | 160/20 5° | 190/28 -1° | 210/25 -5° | 220/27 -15° | 230/21 -26° | 220/42 -29° | 220/44 -35° | 220/44 -44° |
| SBA | used from 98 nm out; 67 nm from the line | L/V | 190/13 5° | 210/20 2° | 220/22 -3° | 260/19 -13° | 230/35 -22° | 220/43 -28° | 220/46 -36° | 220/45 -44° |
| WJF | used from 147 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 200/28 6° | 210/28 3° | 210/29 -4° | 210/28 -14° | 220/41 -20° | 220/47 -29° | 220/46 -37° | 220/53 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCE Merced, CA | departure | VFR | from the west (260°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 155 ft | 7:53 pm PDT (02:53 UTC) |
| MAE Madera, CA | 29 nm out, 10 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 255 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| FAT Fresno, CA | 49 nm out, 20 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,100 feet | from the south (190°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 3,100 ft | 335 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| BFL Bakersfield, CA | 127 nm out, 12 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (360°) at 15 knots, gusting to 21 | 9 mi | none | 509 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| VNY Van Nuys, CA | 206 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,500 feet, overcast at 7,500 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 802 ft | 02:51 UTC |
| LAX Los Angeles, CA | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,600 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 127 ft | 7:53 pm PDT (02:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 802 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At LAX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:02 pm PDT (05:02 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Sun 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC) and 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC): light rain showers
The whole forecast for LAX
- From Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Sun 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC) and 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 4:00 am PDT (11:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 4:00 am PDT (11:00 UTC) and 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC) and 4:00 pm PDT (23:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
The forecast for MCE, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 23 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at MCE 6:29 pm PDT (01:29 UTC), at LAX 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:48 pm PDT (01:48 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at LAX is after sunset there (6:24 pm PDT (01:24 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: Merced Yosemite Regional, Los Angeles International.