Plan a flight · Sun 10:39 pm CDT (03:39 UTC)

Chicago Midway International to Los Angeles International MDW → LAX

1,518 nautical miles (1,747 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 262°, about 266° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4W). At 120 knots that is 15 h 29 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 22-knot headwind), arriving about 12:08 pm PDT (19:08 UTC). Right now MDW is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 5 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: 2,573 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 W11W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 11:55 pm CDT (04:55 UTC). Over the route from 859 to 979 nm out.
as issued
```
WSUS33 KKCI 120255
MKCW WST 120255
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 11W
VALID UNTIL 0455Z
CO NM
FROM 20WNW PUB-10ENE CIM-50WNW ABQ-30NNE DVC-20WNW PUB
AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
```
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 route from 250 to 719 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 709 to 1009 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 729 to 1298 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 819 to 999 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 849 to 879 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 1019 to 1179 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 1069 to 1398 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1089 to 1298 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1169 to 1238 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the last 210 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 MDW.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

urgent B407 at 10,000 ft, 14 nm northwest, 9:13 pm CDT (02:13 UTC): moderate to severe turbulence. 799 nm along the route, 14 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UUA /OV 10 W COS/TM 0213/FL100/TP B407/TB MDT-SEV
```
Report
an urgent report filed through COS
Where
10 west cos
Time
02:13 UTC
Height
at 10,000 ft
Aircraft
B407
Turbulence
mdt-sev
B738 at 18,000 ft, 29 nm north, 9:02 pm CDT (02:02 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-41. 819 nm along the route, 29 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UA /OV BRK270030/TM 0202/FL180/TP B738/TB MOD CHOP 180-250/RM DURC ZDVWC-41
```
Report
a routine report filed through COS
Where
30 nm west (270°) of BRK
Time
02:02 UTC
Height
at 18,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
moderate chop from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft
Remarks
during the climb ZDVWC-41
BE9L at 24,500 ft, 21 nm south, 9:21 pm CDT (02:21 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 829 nm along the route, 21 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0221/FL245/TP BE9L/TB OCNL MOD/RM ZDVWC-41
```
Report
a routine report filed through PUB
Where
40 nm west (250°) of PUB
Time
02:21 UTC
Height
at 24,500 ft
Aircraft
BE9L
Turbulence
occasional moderate
Remarks
ZDVWC-41
SW4 at 15,000 ft, 4 nm north, 8:39 pm CDT (01:39 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, freezing, rain, 0 °C, remarks: instrument conditions ZDVWC-36. 969 nm along the route, 4 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CEZ UA /OV CEZ030030/TM 0139/FL150/TP SW4/SK BASE150/WX FZ RA/TA 00/TB CONS MOD/IC LGT RIME/RM IMC ZDVWC-36
```
Report
a routine report filed through CEZ
Where
30 nm northeast (030°) of CEZ
Time
01:39 UTC
Height
at 15,000 ft
Aircraft
SW4
Sky
BASE150
Weather
freezing, rain
Temperature
0 °C
Turbulence
continuous moderate
Icing
light rime
Remarks
instrument conditions ZDVWC-36
E145 at 15,000 ft, 32 nm northwest, 8:45 pm CDT (01:45 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, light rime icing, -9 °C. 1358 nm along the route, 32 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LAS UA /OV LAS213045/TM 0145/FL150/TP E145/TA M09/TB MOD CHOP/IC LGT RIME
```
Report
a routine report filed through LAS
Where
45 nm southwest (213°) of LAS
Time
01:45 UTC
Height
at 15,000 ft
Aircraft
E145
Temperature
−9 °C
Turbulence
moderate chop
Icing
light rime
E75L climbing, 36 nm southeast, 10:22 pm CDT (03:22 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 1428 nm along the route, 36 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PSP UA /OV PSP345013/TM 0322/FLDURC/TP E75L/TB MOD CHOP/LT TURBU SFC-60
```
Report
a routine report filed through PSP
Where
13 nm north (345°) of PSP
Time
03:22 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
moderate chop/lt turbu SFC-60
B737 at 13,000 ft, 31 nm southeast, 10:30 pm CDT (03:30 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 31 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLI UA /OV SLI180020/TM 0330/FL130/TP B737/TB MOD
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLI
Where
20 nm south (180°) of SLI
Time
03:30 UTC
Height
at 13,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
moderate
A321 at 32,000 ft, 23 nm north, 8:56 pm CDT (01:56 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: pocket continuous light turbulence. 80 nm along the route, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RPJ UA /OV PLL/TM 0156/FL320/TP A321/TB CONS LGT/RM POCKET CONS LGT TB
```
Report
a routine report filed through RPJ
Where
over PLL
Time
01:56 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
continuous light
Remarks
pocket continuous light turbulence
UAL2499 at 28,000 ft, 19 nm north, 9:15 pm CDT (02:15 UTC): light chop turbulence. 170 nm along the route, 19 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL2499 4138N 09137W 0215 F280 TB INTMT LGT CHOP IC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
CL60 at 33,000 ft, 11 nm north, 9:35 pm CDT (02:35 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-100FT zdvwc. 779 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UA /OV BRK080015/TM 0235/FL330/TP CL60/RM MTW +/-100FT ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through COS
Where
15 nm east (080°) of BRK
Time
02:35 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
CL60
Remarks
mtw +/-100FT zdvwc
GLF6 at 40,000 ft, 28 nm northwest, 7:48 pm CDT (00:48 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 789 nm along the route, 28 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UA /OV COS340020/TM 0048/FL400/TP GLF6/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-46
```
Report
a routine report filed through COS
Where
20 nm north (340°) of COS
Time
00:48 UTC
Height
at 40,000 ft
Aircraft
GLF6
Turbulence
light to moderate chop
Remarks
ZDVWC-46
E55P at 38,000 ft, 32 nm north, 8:23 pm CDT (01:23 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-05. 809 nm along the route, 32 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV FQF200040/TM 0123/FL380/TP E55P/TB LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-05
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
40 nm south (200°) of FQF
Time
01:23 UTC
Height
at 38,000 ft
Aircraft
E55P
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
ZDVWC-05
B38M at 36,000 ft, 28 nm southeast, 9:22 pm CDT (02:22 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-200FT ZDVWC-30. 859 nm along the route, 28 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ALS UA /OV ALS360035/TM 0222/FL360/TP B38M/TB LGT/RM MTW +/-200FT ZDVWC-30
```
Report
a routine report filed through ALS
Where
35 nm north (360°) of ALS
Time
02:22 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
light
Remarks
mtw +/-200FT ZDVWC-30
SW4 at 20,000 ft, 28 nm north, 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-12. 899 nm along the route, 28 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GUC UA /OV GUC/TM 0100/FL200/TP SW4/TA 00/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-12
```
Report
a routine report filed through GUC
Where
over GUC
Time
01:00 UTC
Height
at 20,000 ft
Aircraft
SW4
Temperature
0 °C
Icing
light rime
Remarks
ZDVWC-12

16 more routine reports are on the map.

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 13 forecast points nearest it (JOT, BRL, DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, PUB, ALS, FMN, BCE, PRC, LAS, ONT). 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	230° at 31 kt	+28 kt	15 °C	92 kt	16 h 30 min	1:09 pm PDT (20:09 UTC)
6,500 ft	230° at 29 kt	+27 kt	14 °C	93 kt	16 h 19 min	12:58 pm PDT (19:58 UTC)
8,500 ft	230° at 24 kt	+23 kt	10 °C	97 kt	15 h 39 min	12:18 pm PDT (19:18 UTC)
10,500 ft	230° at 24 kt	+22 kt	6 °C	98 kt	15 h 29 min	12:08 pm PDT (19:08 UTC)
12,500 ft	220° at 25 kt	+22 kt	2 °C	98 kt	15 h 29 min	12:08 pm PDT (19:08 UTC)
14,500 ft	220° at 28 kt	+26 kt	-2 °C	94 kt	16 h 09 min	12:48 pm PDT (19:48 UTC)
16,500 ft	230° at 32 kt	+30 kt	-6 °C	90 kt	16 h 52 min	1:31 pm PDT (20:31 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 34 kt	+32 kt	-9 °C	88 kt	17 h 15 min	1:54 pm PDT (20:54 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	230° at 42 kt	+41 kt	-20 °C	79 kt	19 h 13 min	3:52 pm PDT (22:52 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	240° at 55 kt	+54 kt	-30 °C	66 kt	23 h	7:39 pm PDT (02:39 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	240° at 60 kt	+61 kt	-37 °C	59 kt	25 h 44 min	10:23 pm PDT (05:23 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	250° at 54 kt	+56 kt	-47 °C	64 kt	23 h 43 min	8:22 pm PDT (03:22 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
JOT	used from 0 nm out; 14 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°
BRL	used from 100 nm out; 50 nm from the line	230/24	240/29 15°	290/16 10°	280/15 4°	260/23 -7°	260/32 -19°	260/36 -33°	280/48 -41°	280/59 -52°
DSM	used from 200 nm out; 50 nm from the line	230/40	250/33 17°	250/18 12°	240/17 5°	260/28 -8°	270/34 -19°	260/41 -33°	260/55 -41°	270/62 -51°
OMA	used from 300 nm out; 56 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 399 nm out; 69 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°
GLD	used from 549 nm out; 77 nm from the line		230/49	230/42 15°	220/26 8°	240/18 -7°	230/27 -21°	240/62 -30°	240/61 -35°	250/57 -47°
PUB	used from 749 nm out; 33 nm from the line			230/25 13°	230/32 6°	220/44 -8°	230/49 -21°	240/70 -28°	240/67 -34°	240/58 -46°
ALS	used from 849 nm out; 51 nm from the line				230/37 4°	220/54 -9°	230/62 -22°	240/77 -26°	240/74 -33°	230/59 -45°
FMN	used from 949 nm out; 55 nm from the line			220/28 9°	220/40 2°	220/53 -10°	220/62 -22°	230/79 -28°	240/91 -34°	230/71 -45°
BCE	used from 1099 nm out; 77 nm from the line				220/27 -1°	210/40 -13°	220/54 -21°	220/64 -30°	220/64 -34°	220/52 -44°
PRC	used from 1198 nm out; 89 nm from the line			210/25 5°	200/30 1°	220/55 -10°	220/61 -21°	220/84 -28°	230/90 -34°	230/73 -45°
LAS	used from 1248 nm out; 63 nm from the line		210/21 10°	200/18 5°	200/23 -2°	210/49 -14°	210/63 -21°	220/58 -30°	220/61 -35°	210/56 -44°
ONT	used from 1398 nm out; 57 nm from the line	190/8	190/19 6°	210/23 4°	210/29 -3°	210/47 -13°	210/49 -19°	220/47 -30°	220/50 -36°	220/55 -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
MDW Chicago, IL	departure	VFR	from the south (190°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	619 ft	9:53 pm CDT (02:53 UTC)
ARR Chicago/Aurora, IL	30 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	712 ft	02:52 UTC
AWG Washington, IA	180 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line	marginal VFR Weather: haze	from the south (170°) at 6 knots	3 mi	none	754 ft	03:35 UTC
LNK Lincoln, NE	409 nm out, 22 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	1,218 ft	02:54 UTC
NRN Norton, KS	559 nm out, 4 nm west of the line	VFR	from the south (180°) at 13 knots	10+ mi	none	2,384 ft	03:35 UTC
ITR Burlington, CO	679 nm out, 2 nm south of the line	VFR	from the south (180°) at 15 knots, gusting to 23	10+ mi	none	4,218 ft	02:53 UTC
COS Colorado Springs, CO	799 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet, a broken layer at 16,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet	from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	16,000 ft	6,187 ft	02:54 UTC
TEX Telluride, CO	959 nm out, 12 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet	from the south-southeast (160°) at 12 knots, gusting to 18	10+ mi	7,000 ft	9,069 ft	03:15 UTC
GCN Grand Canyon, AZ	1189 nm out, 23 nm southeast of the line, tower	low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet	from the south-southwest (210°) at 10 knots	9 mi	400 ft	6,608 ft	03:22 UTC
IFP Bullhead City, AZ	1318 nm out, 18 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,900 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet	from the south-southeast (160°) at 15 knots	10+ mi	none	707 ft	03:10 UTC
EMT El Monte, CA	1498 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,400 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet	from the south (170°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	5,500 ft	295 ft	02:45 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 9,069 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, 12:08 pm PDT (19:08 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 VFR

30% chance between Mon 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC) and 4:00 pm PDT (23:00 UTC): light rain showers

The whole forecast for LAX

From Sun 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 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 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 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 MDW, the departure

From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 30,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 21 nm from the route, 799 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 8 nm from the route, 1318 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 17 nm from the route, 1318 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 16 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at MDW 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC), at LAX 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:48 pm PDT (01:48 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 upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the northern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Plains · 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: Chicago Midway International, Los Angeles International.