Plan a flight · Mon 1:50 am EDT (05:50 UTC)

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 11 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 10-knot headwind), arriving about 6:01 am CDT (11:01 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MDT is marginal VFR, wind variable at 3 knots; RFD 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: 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 E19E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 43,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 2:55 am EDT (06:55 UTC). Over the first 20 nm of the route.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 120455
MKCE WST 120455
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 19E
VALID UNTIL 0655Z
CT NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND DE NJ NY MD CT VA CSTL WTRS
FROM 20NNW HTO-70SSE HTO-90SE SIE-20WNW LYH-40ESE AIR-20NNW HTO
AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL430.

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 470 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 90 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 20 to 160 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

E145 at 600 ft, 0 nm northeast, 11:20 pm EDT (03:20 UTC): overcast above 600 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MDT UA /OV MDT/TM 0320/FL006/TP E145/SK OVC 006
```
Report
a routine report filed through MDT
Where
over MDT
Time
03:20 UTC
Height
at 600 ft
Aircraft
E145
Sky
overcast from 600 ft
E75S at 22,000 ft, 19 nm southwest, 10:51 pm EDT (02:51 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zob. 90 nm along the route, 19 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
JST UA /OV JST/TM 0251/FL220/TP E75S/TB LGHT-MOD/RM ZOB
```
Report
a routine report filed through JST
Where
over JST
Time
02:51 UTC
Height
at 22,000 ft
Aircraft
E75S
Turbulence
lght-mod
Remarks
zob
A333 descending, 45 nm north, 1:44 am EDT (05:44 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 320 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0544/FLDURD/TP A333/SK TOPS 025
```
Report
a routine report filed through DTW
Where
over DTW
Time
05:44 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
A333
Sky
tops 2,500 ft
B739 descending, 45 nm north, 12:54 am EDT (04:54 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 320 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0454/FLDURD/TP B739/SK BASES 011
```
Report
a routine report filed through DTW
Where
over DTW
Time
04:54 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B739
Sky
bases 1,100 ft
A320 descending, 45 nm north, 11:27 pm EDT (03:27 UTC): overcast above 1,400 ft. 320 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0327/FLDURD/TP A320/SK 014 OVC
```
Report
a routine report filed through DTW
Where
over DTW
Time
03:27 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
A320
Sky
at 1,400 ft overcast
B738 at 1,800 ft, 4 nm north, 1:18 am EDT (05:18 UTC): overcast from 1,800 ft to 2,700 ft, remarks: during the climb. 330 nm along the route, 4 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TOL UA /OV KTOL/TM 0518/FL018/TP B738/SK OVC018-TOP027/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through TOL
Where
over KTOL
Time
05:18 UTC
Height
at 1,800 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
overcast from 1,800 ft, tops 2,700 ft
Remarks
during the climb
B738 at 1,300 ft, 4 nm north, 12:45 am EDT (04:45 UTC): overcast from 1,300 ft to 3,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 330 nm along the route, 4 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TOL UA /OV KTOL/TM 0445/FL013/TP B738/SK OVC013-TOP030/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through TOL
Where
over KTOL
Time
04:45 UTC
Height
at 1,300 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
overcast from 1,300 ft, tops 3,000 ft
Remarks
during the descent
LJ45 at 10,000 ft, 30 nm south, 12:31 am EDT (04:31 UTC): no turbulence, clear, remarks: ground fog at fwa FV10SM on final runway 14. 400 nm along the route, 30 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FWA UA /OV OLK/TM 0431/FL100/TP LJ45/SK CLR/TB SMOOTH/RM GROUND FOG AT FWA. FV10SM ON FINAL RY 14
```
Report
a routine report filed through FWA
Where
over OLK
Time
04:31 UTC
Height
at 10,000 ft
Aircraft
LJ45
Sky
clear
Turbulence
smooth
Remarks
ground fog at fwa FV10SM on final runway 14

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 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 13 kt	+11 kt	13 °C	109 kt	5 h 14 min	6:04 am CDT (11:04 UTC)
6,500 ft	320° at 15 kt	+12 kt	13 °C	108 kt	5 h 17 min	6:07 am CDT (11:07 UTC)
8,500 ft	320° at 15 kt	+11 kt	10 °C	109 kt	5 h 14 min	6:04 am CDT (11:04 UTC)
10,500 ft	320° at 13 kt	+10 kt	6 °C	110 kt	5 h 11 min	6:01 am CDT (11:01 UTC)
12,500 ft	320° at 13 kt	+10 kt	2 °C	110 kt	5 h 11 min	6:01 am CDT (11:01 UTC)
14,500 ft	320° at 16 kt	+13 kt	-2 °C	107 kt	5 h 20 min	6:10 am CDT (11:10 UTC)
16,500 ft	320° at 19 kt	+16 kt	-6 °C	104 kt	5 h 29 min	6:19 am CDT (11:19 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	310° at 21 kt	+18 kt	-9 °C	102 kt	5 h 35 min	6:25 am CDT (11:25 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	310° at 28 kt	+24 kt	-21 °C	96 kt	5 h 56 min	6:46 am CDT (11:46 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	320° at 37 kt	+28 kt	-36 °C	92 kt	6 h 12 min	7:02 am CDT (12:02 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	310° at 45 kt	+40 kt	-42 °C	80 kt	7 h 08 min	7:58 am CDT (12:58 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	310° at 48 kt	+42 kt	-49 °C	78 kt	7 h 18 min	8:08 am CDT (13:08 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
PSB	used from 0 nm out; 50 nm from the line		360/13 13°	330/14 7°	300/11 3°	290/12 -11°	240/23 -23°	270/25 -36°	250/34 -40°	250/45 -48°
AGC	used from 100 nm out; 34 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°
CLE	used from 200 nm out; 22 nm from the line	340/7	010/16 13°	350/18 8°	350/20 3°	340/31 -10°	340/46 -21°	340/54 -37°	330/62 -44°	340/65 -49°
FWA	used from 300 nm out; 74 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 450 nm out; 59 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°

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	variable at 3 knots	10+ mi	1,000 ft	310 ft	1:08 am EDT (05:08 UTC)
RVL Reedsville, PA	50 nm out, 18 nm northeast of the line	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,000 feet	calm	10+ mi	1,000 ft	818 ft	05:35 UTC
JST Johnstown, PA	90 nm out, 19 nm southwest of the line, tower	low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog	calm	0.25 mi	200 ft	2,284 ft	04:54 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	low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 400 feet, overcast at 1,600 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the west-northwest (300°) at 6 knots	4 mi	400 ft	1,225 ft	05:38 UTC
CLE Cleveland, OH	240 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet Weather: light drizzle	from the west-northwest (300°) at 6 knots	9 mi	1,900 ft	799 ft	05:33 UTC
TOL Toledo, OH	330 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,500 feet	from the west-southwest (240°) at 3 knots	7 mi	1,500 ft	683 ft	05:09 UTC
ANQ Angola, IN	390 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line	reported, no category	calm	0.25 mi	none	995 ft	05:35 UTC
EKM Elkhart, IN	430 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower	marginal VFR Weather: mist	calm	4 mi	none	777 ft	05:35 UTC
MDW Chicago, IL	510 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south-southwest (200°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	619 ft	04:53 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	calm	10+ mi	none	644 ft	04:52 UTC
RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL	destination	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet	calm	10+ mi	25,000 ft	742 ft	11:54 pm CDT (04:54 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, 6:01 am CDT (11:01 UTC)

Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for RFD

From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet

The forecast for MDT, the departure

From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,000 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
From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 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

Radar now, the Northeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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.