Chicago Midway International to San Diego International MDW → SAN
1,499 nautical miles (1,725 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 258°, about 262° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4W). At 120 knots that is 14 h 50 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 19-knot headwind), arriving about 9:12 am PDT (16:12 UTC). Right now MDW is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 4 knots; SAN is marginal VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 7 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: 2,160 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 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 779 to 1259 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 889 to 1379 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 929 to 1289 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). Near the route, 939 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 1089 to 1109 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 1209 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Near the route, 1259 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1379 to 1479 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 40 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 GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 47 nm northwest, 6:57 pm CDT (23:57 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv. 1019 nm along the route, 47 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UUA /OV RSK280050/TM 2357/FL450/TP GLF6/TB SEV/RM A/C HAD TO EXIT AUTO PILOT, 45 DEGREE PITCH-ZDV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm west (280°) of RSK
- Time
- 23:57 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- severe
- Remarks
- a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 48 nm northwest, 7:09 pm CDT (00:09 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-38. 959 nm along the route, 48 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK360050/TM 0009/FL430/TP GLF4/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-38
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm north (360°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:09 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-38
- E545 at 45,000 ft, 12 nm north, 5:29 pm CDT (22:29 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 999 nm along the route, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK2950301/TM 2229/FL450/TP E545/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 301 nm southwest (950°) of RSK2
- Time
- 22:29 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E545
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 48 nm northwest, 7:15 pm CDT (00:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 1009 nm along the route, 48 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK290045/TM 0015/FL430/TP GLF4/TB CONS MOD/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 45 nm west (290°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- B39M at 35,000 ft, 18 nm southeast, 7:29 pm CDT (00:29 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: smooth. At the departure end, 18 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
IKK UA /OV CGT/TM 0029/FL350/TP B39M/TB NEG/RM SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through IKK
- Where
- over CGT
- Time
- 00:29 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- smooth
- CRJ7 at 17,000 ft, 39 nm northeast, 7:04 pm CDT (00:04 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 39 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BEH UA /OV ELX270040/TM 0004/FL170/TP CRJ7/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through BEH
- Where
- 40 nm west (270°) of ELX
- Time
- 00:04 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Turbulence
- none
- A21N at 31,000 ft, 25 nm northwest, 7:24 pm CDT (00:24 UTC): remarks: mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29. 789 nm along the route, 25 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB/TM 0024/FL310/TP A21N/RM MTN WAVE +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- over PUB
- Time
- 00:24 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Remarks
- mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- CL35 at 43,000 ft, 32 nm northwest, 7:21 pm CDT (00:21 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-300FT zdvwc. 829 nm along the route, 32 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0021/FL430/TP CL35/RM MTW +/-300FT ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 00:21 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL35
- Remarks
- mtw +/-300FT zdvwc
- BE9L at 20,000 ft, 33 nm northwest, 7:34 pm CDT (00:34 UTC): light rime icing, -9 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 869 nm along the route, 33 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS330035/TM 0034/FL200/TP BE9L/TA M09/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm northwest (330°) of ALS
- Time
- 00:34 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-41
- E145 at 7,400 ft, 4 nm east, 7:15 pm CDT (00:15 UTC): remarks: reported below minimums visibility 1/2SM ZDVWC-41. 879 nm along the route, 4 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS/TM 0015/FL074/TP E145/SK VASE UNKN/RM REPORTED BLO MINIMUMS VIS 1/2SM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- over ALS
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 7,400 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- vase unknown
- Remarks
- reported below minimums visibility 1/2SM ZDVWC-41
- E145 at 7,400 ft, 5 nm north, 7:15 pm CDT (00:15 UTC): remarks: base reported below minimums 1/2 miles visibility ZDVWC-41. 879 nm along the route, 5 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV KALS/TM 0015/FL074/TP E145/RM BASE REPORTED BELOW MINIMUMS 1/2 SM VIS ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- over KALS
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 7,400 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Remarks
- base reported below minimums 1/2 miles visibility ZDVWC-41
- PRM1 at 41,000 ft, 27 nm north, 6:38 pm CDT (23:38 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 899 nm along the route, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS290035/TM 2338/FL410/TP PRM1/TB LGT-MOD CAT/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm west (290°) of ALS
- Time
- 23:38 UTC
- Height
- at 41,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PRM1
- Turbulence
- light to moderate clear-air turbulence
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- BE9L at 20,000 ft, 25 nm north, 7:59 pm CDT (00:59 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: instrument conditions ZDVWC-36. 969 nm along the route, 25 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DRO UA /OV DRO/TM 0059/FL200/TP BE9L/TB LGT CHOP/RM IMC ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through DRO
- Where
- over DRO
- Time
- 00:59 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- instrument conditions ZDVWC-36
- G280 at 45,000 ft, 3 nm southeast, 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 1119 nm along the route, 3 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
INW UA /OV INW015040/TM 2344/FL450/TP G280/TB LGT-MOD/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through INW
- Where
- 40 nm north (015°) of INW
- Time
- 23:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- G280
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
12 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 12 forecast points nearest it (JOT, BRL, DSM, OMA, SLN, GLD, PUB, ALS, FMN, PRC, BLH, SAN). 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 | 210° at 24 kt | +19 kt | 101 kt | 14 h 50 min | 9:12 am PDT (16:12 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | +22 kt | 15 °C | 98 kt | 15 h 18 min | 9:40 am PDT (16:40 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 24 kt | +22 kt | 11 °C | 98 kt | 15 h 18 min | 9:40 am PDT (16:40 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | +23 kt | 7 °C | 97 kt | 15 h 27 min | 9:49 am PDT (16:49 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +25 kt | 3 °C | 95 kt | 15 h 47 min | 10:09 am PDT (17:09 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 29 kt | +28 kt | -1 °C | 92 kt | 16 h 18 min | 10:40 am PDT (17:40 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | +32 kt | -5 °C | 88 kt | 17 h 02 min | 11:24 am PDT (18:24 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 35 kt | +34 kt | -8 °C | 86 kt | 17 h 26 min | 11:48 am PDT (18:48 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 40 kt | +40 kt | -19 °C | 80 kt | 18 h 44 min | 1:06 pm PDT (20:06 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 50 kt | +51 kt | -30 °C | 69 kt | 21 h 43 min | 4:05 pm PDT (23:05 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 55 kt | +56 kt | -38 °C | 64 kt | 23 h 25 min | 5:47 pm PDT (00:47 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 50 kt | +53 kt | -48 °C | 67 kt | 22 h 22 min | 4:44 pm PDT (23:44 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOT | used from 0 nm out; 12 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° |
| BRL | used from 100 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 200/20 | 250/21 16° | 240/22 10° | 260/20 5° | 270/16 -7° | 290/22 -18° | 320/41 -34° | 320/56 -43° | 310/68 -53° |
| DSM | used from 200 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 200/32 | 240/27 17° | 260/19 10° | 260/16 5° | 260/19 -7° | 240/22 -19° | 270/20 -32° | 270/38 -42° | 290/58 -53° |
| OMA | used from 300 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 190/34 | 230/34 19° | 250/25 12° | 250/18 6° | 250/22 -7° | 250/28 -19° | 260/34 -32° | 260/39 -41° | 280/56 -51° |
| SLN | used from 400 nm out; 82 nm from the line | 190/37 | 220/39 20° | 240/31 14° | 250/24 7° | 260/25 -7° | 250/26 -17° | 250/44 -31° | 260/47 -40° | 260/47 -50° |
| GLD | used from 550 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 190/29 | 200/30 15° | 240/23 8° | 250/39 -7° | 230/39 -19° | 230/57 -31° | 240/67 -39° | 250/62 -49° | |
| PUB | used from 699 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° | ||
| ALS | used from 849 nm out; 4 nm from the line | 210/32 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/49 -20° | 230/78 -30° | 240/74 -36° | 240/61 -47° | |||
| FMN | used from 949 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 220/25 13° | 220/28 4° | 210/51 -9° | 220/59 -21° | 230/78 -30° | 230/77 -36° | 230/66 -46° | ||
| PRC | used from 1099 nm out; 111 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° | ||
| BLH | used from 1299 nm out; 43 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° |
| SAN | used from 1449 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/10 | 240/19 9° | 240/27 5° | 230/22 -1° | 220/40 -10° | 220/49 -19° | 220/54 -29° | 220/61 -35° | 220/56 -44° |
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 southeast (130°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 619 ft | 7:53 pm CDT (00:53 UTC) |
| ARR Chicago/Aurora, IL | 30 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 712 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| LWD Lamoni, IA | 290 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,130 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| EVU Maryville, MO | 340 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,145 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| RCP Stockton, KS | 550 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | no report just now | 1,999 ft | ||||
| OEL Oakley, KS | 620 nm out, 10 nm north of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 12 knots, gusting to 16 | 10+ mi | none | 3,045 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| ALS Alamosa, CO | 879 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,500 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,539 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| FMN Farmington, NM | 999 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (270°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,506 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| FLG Flagstaff, AZ | 1189 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the south-southwest (210°) at 18 knots, gusting to 31 | 4 mi | 700 ft | 7,014 ft | 00:57 UTC |
| PRC Prescott, AZ | 1239 nm out, 13 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,600 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the south-southwest (210°) at 11 knots | 5 mi | 5,000 ft | 5,045 ft | 01:00 UTC |
| RNM Ramona, CA | 1479 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,600 feet, a broken layer at 2,600 feet, overcast at 3,700 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots, gusting to 12 | 6 mi | 1,600 ft | 1,394 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| SAN San Diego, CA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,900 feet, overcast at 4,300 feet Weather: light rain | from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots | 6 mi | 2,900 ft | 16 ft | 6:12 pm PDT (01:12 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,539 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SAN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:12 am PDT (16:12 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SAN
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,800 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet and more above
- From Sun 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for MDW, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- 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, 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
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/4812 El Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 Local 12 nm from the route, 1429 nm along the route · security · until 13 July · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at MDW 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC), at SAN 6:19 pm PDT (01:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:44 pm PDT (01:44 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: Chicago Midway International, San Diego International.