Harrisburg International to Chicago/Rockford International MDT → RFD
570 nautical miles (655 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 286°, about 297° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 5 h at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 6-knot headwind), arriving about 12:26 am CDT (05:26 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MDT is marginal VFR, wind from the north (010°) at 3 knots; RFD is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) 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: 262 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 E17E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Near the route, 190 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 112355 MKCE WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 17E VALID UNTIL 0155Z PA MD VA NC WV OH KY FROM 30WSW EWC-20E RIC-70NNE ILM-70W BKW-10ESE APE-30WSW EWC AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- 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 110 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 90 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 170 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 80 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 10 to 160 nm out.
- 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 route from 270 to 330 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 MDT.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C25B at 25,000 ft, 27 nm northeast, 5:47 pm EDT (21:47 UTC): moderate rime icing, 0 °C. 70 nm along the route, 27 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PSB UA /OV PSB/TM 2147/FL250/TP C25B/TA 0/IC MOD RIME
- Report
- a routine report filed through PSB
- Where
- over PSB
- Time
- 21:47 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25B
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime
- A321 at 30,000 ft, 44 nm south, 7:49 pm EDT (23:49 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: zob. 110 nm along the route, 44 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
2G9 UA /OV IHD/TM 2349/FL300/TP A321/TB MOD 300/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through 2G9
- Where
- over IHD
- Time
- 23:49 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- moderate at 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- P28R at 1,000 ft, 22 nm east, 7:31 pm EDT (23:31 UTC): a broken layer above 1,000 ft. At the departure end, 22 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
MDT UA /OV LRP/TM 2331/FL010/TP P28R/SK BKN010
- Report
- a routine report filed through MDT
- Where
- over LRP
- Time
- 23:31 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- P28R
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,000 ft
- C680 at 1,400 ft, 38 nm east, 7:20 pm EDT (23:20 UTC): a broken layer above 1,400 ft, remarks: reported 30 knots crosswind until at 40,000 ft feet above ground, wind calm below 40,000 ft feet above ground final runway 36. At the departure end, 38 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RDG UA /OV 2 S RDG/TM 2320/FL014/TP C680/SK BKN014/RM REPORTED 30KT CROSSWIND UNTIL 400 FEET AGL, WIND CALM BELOW 400 FEET AGL. FNL RWY 36
- Report
- a routine report filed through RDG
- Where
- 2 south rdg
- Time
- 23:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,400 ft
- Aircraft
- C680
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,400 ft
- Remarks
- reported 30 knots crosswind until at 40,000 ft feet above ground, wind calm below 40,000 ft feet above ground final runway 36
- P28R at 1,000 ft, 22 nm east, 6:30 pm EDT (22:30 UTC): a broken layer above 1,000 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 08 lns. At the departure end, 22 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
LNS UA /OV LNS/TM 2230/FL010/TP P28R/SK BKN010-TOPSUNKN/RM DURD RY 08 LNS
- Report
- a routine report filed through LNS
- Where
- over LNS
- Time
- 22:30 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- P28R
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,000 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 08 lns
- PC24 at 1,000 ft, 22 nm east, 5:41 pm EDT (21:41 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 08 lns. At the departure end, 22 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
LNS UA /OV LNS/TM 2141/FL010/TP PC24/SK OVC010-TOPSUNKN/RM DURD RY 08 LNS
- Report
- a routine report filed through LNS
- Where
- over LNS
- Time
- 21:41 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC24
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 08 lns
- CRJ7 at 1,100 ft, 5 nm east, 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC): a broken layer above 1,200 ft; a broken layer above 4,100 ft. At the departure end, 5 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
MDT UA /OV HAR/TM 2243/FL011/TP CRJ7/SK BKN012 BKN041
- Report
- a routine report filed through MDT
- Where
- over HAR
- Time
- 22:43 UTC
- Height
- at 1,100 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- BKN012 BKN041
- E170 at 20,000 ft, 45 nm north, 5:40 pm EDT (21:40 UTC): light rime icing, -11 °C. 50 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
IPT UA /OV ETG110030/TM 2140/FL200/TP E170/TA M11/IC LGT RIME
- Report
- a routine report filed through IPT
- Where
- 30 nm east (110°) of ETG
- Time
- 21:40 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Temperature
- −11 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- CRJ7 at 1,600 ft, 23 nm north, 8:20 pm EDT (00:20 UTC): overcast above 1,600 ft, remarks: during the descent RY06 KUNV. 60 nm along the route, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
UNV UA /OV KUNV240002/TM 0020/FL016/TP CRJ7/SK BKN-OVC016/RM DURD RY06 KUNV
- Report
- a routine report filed through UNV
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (240°) of KUNV
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,600 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- BKN-OVC016
- Remarks
- during the descent RY06 KUNV
- E145 at 2,000 ft, 23 nm north, 7:10 pm EDT (23:10 UTC): overcast above 2,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY06 KUNV. 60 nm along the route, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
UNV UA /OV KUNV240002/TM 2310/FL020/TP E145/SK OVC020/RM DURD RY06 KUNV
- Report
- a routine report filed through UNV
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (240°) of KUNV
- Time
- 23:10 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- overcast from 2,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent RY06 KUNV
- E145 at 2,300 ft, 24 nm north, 6:25 pm EDT (22:25 UTC): overcast above 2,300 ft, remarks: during the descent RY06 KUNV. 60 nm along the route, 24 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
UNV UA /OV KUNV20004/TM 2225/FL023/TP E145/SK BKN-OVC023/RM DURD RY06 KUNV
- Report
- a routine report filed through UNV
- Where
- KUNV20004
- Time
- 22:25 UTC
- Height
- at 2,300 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- BKN-OVC023
- Remarks
- during the descent RY06 KUNV
- CRJ7 at 2,300 ft, 26 nm north, 6:03 pm EDT (22:03 UTC): overcast above 2,300 ft, remarks: during the climb RY06 KUNV. 60 nm along the route, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
UNV UA /OV KUNV060002/TM 2203/FL023/TP CRJ7/SK BKN-OVC023/RM DURC RY06 KUNV
- Report
- a routine report filed through UNV
- Where
- 2 nm northeast (060°) of KUNV
- Time
- 22:03 UTC
- Height
- at 2,300 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- BKN-OVC023
- Remarks
- during the climb RY06 KUNV
- CRJ2 at 23,000 ft, 14 nm southwest, 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zob. 140 nm along the route, 14 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PIT UA /OV EWC140020/TM 2254/FL230/TP CRJ2/TB LGT-MOD/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through PIT
- Where
- 20 nm southeast (140°) of EWC
- Time
- 22:54 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- zob
- CL35 climbing, 34 nm south, 5:36 pm EDT (21:36 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 150 nm along the route, 34 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PIT UA /OV AGC/TM 2136/FLDURC/TP CL35/SK BASE 027
- Report
- a routine report filed through PIT
- Where
- over AGC
- Time
- 21:36 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- CL35
- Sky
- base 2,700 ft
16 more routine reports are on the map.
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 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 5 forecast points nearest it (PSB, AGC, CLE, FWA, JOT). 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 | 310° at 7 kt | +6 kt | 13 °C | 114 kt | 5 h | 12:26 am CDT (05:26 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 320° at 12 kt | +9 kt | 13 °C | 111 kt | 5 h 08 min | 12:34 am CDT (05:34 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 320° at 11 kt | +8 kt | 10 °C | 112 kt | 5 h 05 min | 12:31 am CDT (05:31 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 330° at 11 kt | +7 kt | 6 °C | 113 kt | 5 h 03 min | 12:29 am CDT (05:29 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 330° at 11 kt | +7 kt | 2 °C | 113 kt | 5 h 03 min | 12:29 am CDT (05:29 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 320° at 12 kt | +9 kt | -2 °C | 111 kt | 5 h 08 min | 12:34 am CDT (05:34 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 310° at 12 kt | +10 kt | -7 °C | 110 kt | 5 h 11 min | 12:37 am CDT (05:37 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 13 kt | +11 kt | -10 °C | 109 kt | 5 h 14 min | 12:40 am CDT (05:40 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 16 kt | +14 kt | -22 °C | 106 kt | 5 h 23 min | 12:49 am CDT (05:49 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 29 kt | +27 kt | -35 °C | 93 kt | 6 h 08 min | 1:34 am CDT (06:34 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 270° at 34 kt | +31 kt | -42 °C | 89 kt | 6 h 24 min | 1:50 am CDT (06:50 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 38 kt | +37 kt | -49 °C | 83 kt | 6 h 52 min | 2:18 am CDT (07:18 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSB | used from 0 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 260/13 13° | 220/12 8° | 220/11 4° | 230/27 -11° | 210/31 -21° | 220/73 -32° | 220/75 -40° | 230/66 -50° | |
| AGC | used from 100 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 140/12 | 350/10 12° | L/V 9° | L/V 3° | 200/11 -11° | 220/21 -22° | 220/47 -33° | 230/51 -39° | 230/45 -48° |
| CLE | used from 200 nm out; 22 nm from the line | 340/5 | 320/13 14° | 300/12 8° | 310/10 2° | 310/14 -10° | 340/14 -23° | 320/27 -35° | 260/28 -40° | 250/36 -48° |
| FWA | used from 300 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 350/9 | 350/24 15° | 360/25 9° | 360/29 4° | 350/31 -10° | 340/39 -22° | 330/40 -37° | 320/38 -43° | 320/48 -48° |
| JOT | used from 450 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 230/11 | 290/12 16° | 300/19 10° | 320/19 4° | 300/17 -9° | 330/31 -20° | 320/49 -37° | 320/53 -45° | 320/67 -49° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDT Harrisburg, PA | departure | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,000 feet | from the north (010°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 1,000 ft | 310 ft | 7:56 pm EDT (23:56 UTC) |
| RVL Reedsville, PA | 50 nm out, 18 nm northeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 1,100 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northeast (020°) at 5 knots | 1.75 mi | 1,100 ft | 818 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| JST Johnstown, PA | 90 nm out, 19 nm southwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | from the northeast (050°) at 6 knots | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 2,284 ft | 23:54 UTC |
| BVI Beaver Falls, PA | 170 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | reported, no category | calm | none | 1,252 ft | 19:47 UTC | |
| CAK Akron, OH | 220 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 1,225 ft | 23:51 UTC |
| CLE Cleveland, OH | 240 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | from the north (350°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 799 ft | 23:51 UTC |
| TOL Toledo, OH | 330 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 2,200 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 2,200 ft | 683 ft | 00:21 UTC |
| ANQ Angola, IN | 390 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | reported, no category | calm | 10+ mi | none | 995 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| EKM Elkhart, IN | 430 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Weather: mist | calm | 4 mi | none | 777 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| MDW Chicago, IL | 510 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 619 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| PWK Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, IL | 520 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 644 ft | 23:52 UTC |
| RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 742 ft | 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,284 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RFD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:26 am CDT (05:26 UTC)
Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for RFD
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for MDT, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, thunderstorms nearby, scattered clouds at 800 feet (thunderheads), overcast at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 160 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8888 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, 190 nm along the route · security · today · ZOB
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 190 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
Daylight
Sunset at MDT 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC), at RFD 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:47 pm CDT (23:47 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RFD is before sunrise there (7:05 am CDT (12:05 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: Harrisburg International, Chicago/Rockford International.