Merced Yosemite Regional to Phoenix Sky Harbor International MCE → PHX
476 nautical miles (548 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 117°, about 102° magnetic at the departure end (variation 15E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 33 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 14-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:21 pm MST (04:21 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MCE is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots; PHX is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (300°) at 10 knots, gusting to 21. 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: 3 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 W69W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Over the last 69 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 69W VALID UNTIL 0155Z TX NM AZ FROM 50ENE PGS-60SE ABQ-20ENE ELP-70SSW SSO-50SE BZA-50ENE PGS AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 89 to 159 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 169 to 297 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 188 to 357 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 218 to 387 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 288 to 307 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 317 to 317 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 MCE.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A21N at 29,500 ft, 26 nm southwest, 3:50 pm PDT (22:50 UTC): remarks: mountain wave 10-15 kts/zlawc. 238 nm along the route, 26 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DAG UA /OV DAG045010/TM 2250/FL295/TP A21N/RM MTN WAVE /- 10-15 KTS/ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through DAG
- Where
- 10 nm northeast (045°) of DAG
- Time
- 22:50 UTC
- Height
- at 29,500 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Remarks
- mountain wave 10-15 kts/zlawc
- BCS3 at 31,000 ft, 5 nm north, 3:44 pm PDT (22:44 UTC): remarks: mountain wave 20 kts/zlawc. 248 nm along the route, 5 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DAG UA /OV DAG030040/TM 2244/FL310/TP BCS3/RM MTN WAVE /- 20 KTS/ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through DAG
- Where
- 40 nm northeast (030°) of DAG
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Remarks
- mountain wave 20 kts/zlawc
- G280 at 41,000 ft, 23 nm north, 4:37 pm PDT (23:37 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 268 nm along the route, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV LAS190035/TM 2337/FL410/TP G280/TB LGT-MOD CAT/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm south (190°) of LAS
- Time
- 23:37 UTC
- Height
- at 41,000 ft
- Aircraft
- G280
- Turbulence
- light to moderate clear-air turbulence
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- B738 at 17,000 ft, 21 nm northeast, 4:54 pm PDT (23:54 UTC): light rime icing, 9 °C, remarks: during the descent. 456 nm along the route, 21 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR330030/TM 2354/FL170/TP B738/TA 09/IC LGT RIME/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 30 nm northwest (330°) of PXR
- Time
- 23:54 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Temperature
- 9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent
- A320 at 14,000 ft, 49 nm northeast, 5:39 pm PDT (00:39 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. At the destination end, 49 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR005050/TM 0039/FL140/TP A320/TB LGT-MOD/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 50 nm north (005°) of PXR
- Time
- 00:39 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 7 forecast points nearest it (FAT, BIH, WJF, LAS, BLH, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 210° at 18 kt | +1 kt | 10 °C | 119 kt | 4 h | 9:48 pm MST (04:48 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 21 kt | −1 kt | 7 °C | 121 kt | 3 h 56 min | 9:44 pm MST (04:44 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | −4 kt | 4 °C | 124 kt | 3 h 50 min | 9:38 pm MST (04:38 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 27 kt | −6 kt | 0 °C | 126 kt | 3 h 47 min | 9:35 pm MST (04:35 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | −7 kt | -4 °C | 127 kt | 3 h 45 min | 9:33 pm MST (04:33 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | −8 kt | -7 °C | 128 kt | 3 h 43 min | 9:31 pm MST (04:31 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | −9 kt | -11 °C | 129 kt | 3 h 41 min | 9:29 pm MST (04:29 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 37 kt | −9 kt | -12 °C | 129 kt | 3 h 41 min | 9:29 pm MST (04:29 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 48 kt | −12 kt | -21 °C | 132 kt | 3 h 36 min | 9:24 pm MST (04:24 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 58 kt | −9 kt | -27 °C | 129 kt | 3 h 41 min | 9:29 pm MST (04:29 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 58 kt | −12 kt | -34 °C | 132 kt | 3 h 36 min | 9:24 pm MST (04:24 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 54 kt | −14 kt | -44 °C | 134 kt | 3 h 33 min | 9:21 pm MST (04:21 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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; 25 nm from the line | 180/7 | 170/9 7° | 200/20 3° | 210/27 -3° | 240/27 -14° | 230/38 -24° | 220/57 -27° | 230/42 -33° | 230/41 -44° |
| BIH | used from 99 nm out; 62 nm from the line | L/V | 210/14 6° | 210/20 -2° | 230/26 -14° | 220/32 -24° | 220/63 -27° | 220/56 -35° | 230/50 -44° | |
| WJF | used from 149 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 220/30 8° | 240/28 5° | 230/34 -2° | 220/34 -13° | 220/48 -20° | 220/47 -29° | 210/48 -34° | 220/52 -44° | |
| LAS | used from 198 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 200/25 11° | 230/22 5° | 240/25 -1° | 220/37 -12° | 220/44 -21° | 210/52 -27° | 210/60 -34° | 220/58 -44° | |
| BLH | used from 297 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 230/22 | 210/24 11° | 230/23 5° | 230/26 0° | 220/38 -10° | 230/52 -19° | 220/58 -28° | 220/69 -34° | 220/59 -45° |
| PRC | used from 397 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 200/36 6° | 210/46 0° | 220/60 -10° | 220/75 -19° | 220/66 -26° | 230/70 -33° | 230/59 -45° | ||
| PHX | used from 446 nm out; 15 nm from the line | 210/19 | 210/20 14° | 200/20 6° | 210/40 1° | 220/58 -8° | 220/68 -20° | 220/82 -26° | 230/83 -34° | 230/69 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCE Merced, CA | departure | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 155 ft | 4:53 pm PDT (23:53 UTC) |
| MAE Madera, CA | 30 nm out, 9 nm southwest of the line | VFR | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 255 ft | 23:55 UTC |
| FAT Fresno, CA | 50 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 13,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 335 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 317 nm out, 24 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet, a broken layer at 4,600 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 27 knots, gusting to 32 | 10+ mi | 4,600 ft | 707 ft | 20:47 UTC |
| HII Lake Havasu City, AZ | 337 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 4,200 feet | from the south (170°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 4,200 ft | 782 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| GEU Glendale, AZ | 456 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,071 ft | 23:47 UTC |
| PHX Phoenix, AZ | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,500 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 10 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 1,134 ft | 4:51 pm MST (23:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,134 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, 9:21 pm MST (04:21 UTC)
Wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for PHX
- From Sun 5:00 pm MST (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MST (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 10 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 west-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, 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 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
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, 317 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at MCE 6:29 pm PDT (01:29 UTC), at PHX 5:58 pm MST (00:58 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:23 pm MST (01:23 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at PHX is after sunset there (5:59 pm MST (00:59 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, Phoenix Sky Harbor International.