Kansas City International to Seattle Paine Field International MCI → PAE
1,296 nautical miles (1,492 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 303°, about 301° magnetic at the departure end (variation 2E). At 120 knots that is 10 h 27 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 4-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:36 am PDT (18:36 UTC). Right now MCI is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 16 knots, gusting to 23; PAE 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: 8 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 first 329 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 319 to 937 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 469 to 618 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 42,000 ft. Near the route, 479 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 499 to 638 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 598 to 748 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 638 to 1047 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 877 to 1137 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the route from 877 to 1256 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 MCI.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E73L descending, 16 nm northeast, 1:20 am CDT (06:20 UTC): remarks: breaking action good broke out about 600FT above ground. 828 nm along the route, 16 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0620/FLDURD/TP E73L/RM BREAKING ACTION GOOD. BROKE OUT ABOUT 600FT AGL
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 06:20 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E73L
- Remarks
- breaking action good broke out about 600FT above ground
- B737 , 16 nm northeast, 12:31 am CDT (05:31 UTC): remarks: saw the light at 500FT braking good no icing. 828 nm along the route, 16 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0531/FLBURD/TP B737/RM SAW THE LIGHT AT 500FT. BRAKING GOOD. NEG ICING
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 05:31 UTC
- Height
- at BURD
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- saw the light at 500FT braking good no icing
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 12 forecast points nearest it (MKC, OMA, GRI, ONL, BFF, RAP, BIL, DLN, LWS, GEG, YKM, SEA). 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 | 190° at 11 kt | −4 kt | 15 °C | 124 kt | 10 h 27 min | 11:36 am PDT (18:36 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 190° at 10 kt | −3 kt | 9 °C | 123 kt | 10 h 32 min | 11:41 am PDT (18:41 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 210° at 9 kt | −1 kt | 4 °C | 121 kt | 10 h 43 min | 11:52 am PDT (18:52 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 12 kt | +1 kt | 2 °C | 119 kt | 10 h 53 min | 12:02 pm PDT (19:02 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 16 kt | +2 kt | -1 °C | 118 kt | 10 h 59 min | 12:08 pm PDT (19:08 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 18 kt | +4 kt | -6 °C | 116 kt | 11 h 10 min | 12:19 pm PDT (19:19 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 20 kt | +5 kt | -9 °C | 115 kt | 11 h 16 min | 12:25 pm PDT (19:25 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 21 kt | +6 kt | -13 °C | 114 kt | 11 h 22 min | 12:31 pm PDT (19:31 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 25 kt | +6 kt | -24 °C | 114 kt | 11 h 22 min | 12:31 pm PDT (19:31 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 32 kt | +14 kt | -35 °C | 106 kt | 12 h 14 min | 1:23 pm PDT (20:23 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 41 kt | +26 kt | -38 °C | 94 kt | 13 h 47 min | 2:56 pm PDT (21:56 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 47 kt | +30 kt | -44 °C | 90 kt | 14 h 24 min | 3:33 pm PDT (22:33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKC | used from 0 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/28 18° | 250/18 13° | 240/12 6° | 280/24 -6° | 240/34 -18° | 260/47 -30° | 260/51 -40° | 270/58 -50° |
| OMA | used from 50 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 220/47 | 240/33 19° | 250/18 11° | 230/17 6° | 260/29 -8° | 250/33 -19° | 250/51 -33° | 260/61 -40° | 270/62 -49° |
| GRI | used from 100 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 230/35 21° | 230/23 13° | 220/20 7° | 240/25 -8° | 240/37 -20° | 250/49 -33° | 260/57 -38° | 260/58 -47° | |
| ONL | used from 249 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 210/31 20° | 230/27 13° | 230/18 7° | 220/19 -8° | 240/26 -20° | 250/44 -35° | 270/52 -39° | 260/57 -47° | |
| BFF | used from 349 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° | |
| RAP | used from 449 nm out; 62 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° | |
| BIL | used from 598 nm out; 115 nm from the line | 080/13 | 180/9 -2° | 210/38 0° | 220/51 -11° | 210/46 -22° | 210/58 -35° | 230/73 -39° | 230/72 -45° | |
| DLN | used from 798 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 090/6 -6° | 240/22 -4° | 210/34 -16° | 210/62 -25° | 210/66 -34° | 210/82 -36° | 220/77 -42° | ||
| LWS | used from 947 nm out; 98 nm from the line | 070/10 | 080/12 -2° | 030/12 -6° | 080/7 -10° | 170/34 -21° | 160/46 -32° | 200/33 -35° | 220/22 -35° | 230/18 -38° |
| GEG | used from 1097 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 080/16 -2° | 050/17 -7° | 080/9 -10° | 190/33 -21° | 180/31 -32° | L/V -35° | L/V -37° | 270/8 -40° | |
| YKM | used from 1147 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 070/10 | 040/15 -1° | 020/27 -8° | 030/25 -13° | 020/48 -20° | 010/83 -27° | 010/77 -37° | 010/49 -40° | 350/14 -41° |
| SEA | used from 1246 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 050/7 | 050/11 1° | 050/12 -5° | 030/31 -7° | 010/61 -15° | 010/69 -26° | 360/73 -40° | 360/62 -47° | 330/21 -43° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCI Kansas City, MO | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 20,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 16 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 1,027 ft | 2:53 am CDT (07:53 UTC) |
| STJ St Joseph, MO | 20 nm out, 19 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 826 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| GRI Grand Island, NE | 189 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,847 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| TIF Thedford, NE | 309 nm out, 3 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet | from the east (100°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 300 ft | 2,925 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| CDR Chadron, NE | 439 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (020°) at 6 knots | 2.5 mi | 300 ft | 3,297 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| BYG Buffalo, WY | 618 nm out, 11 nm northeast of the line | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 300 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet | from the north-northwest (330°) at 14 knots, gusting to 22 | 7 mi | 300 ft | 4,970 ft | 08:04 UTC |
| POY Powell, WY | 708 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the northwest (320°) at 19 knots, gusting to 24 | 4 mi | 300 ft | 5,096 ft | 07:50 UTC |
| BZN Bozeman, MT | 818 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 4,600 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the south (180°) at 3 knots | 6 mi | 4,600 ft | 4,473 ft | 07:56 UTC |
| HRF Hamilton, MT | 947 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 200 feet, overcast at 2,200 feet Weather: light snow | from the west-northwest (300°) at 5 knots | 7 mi | 2,200 ft | 3,635 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| PUW Pullman/Moscow, WA | 1077 nm out, 12 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 2,566 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| MWH Moses Lake, WA | 1167 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (350°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,188 ft | 07:52 UTC |
| PAE Everett, WA | destination | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 606 ft | 12:53 am PDT (07:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,096 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PAE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:36 am PDT (18:36 UTC)
Wind from the east-southeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for PAE
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, patches of fog, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 3 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, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for MCI, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 17 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at MCI 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC), at PAE 6:24 pm PDT (01:24 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 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: Kansas City International, Seattle Paine Field International.