Chicago Midway International to Salt Lake City International MDW → SLC
1,091 nautical miles (1,255 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 275°, about 279° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4W). At 120 knots that is 10 h 36 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 17-knot headwind), arriving about 11:06 am MDT (17:06 UTC). Right now MDW is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 knots; SLC is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) 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: 1,228 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 SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the departure end.
- 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 119 to 684 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 526 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the route from 674 to 1051 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 377 nm of the route.
- 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 783 to 952 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 248 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the last 228 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 873 to 952 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 MDW.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
No pilot reports within 50 nautical miles of the line in the last three hours.
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 8 forecast points nearest it (JOT, DBQ, DSM, OMA, ONL, BFF, RKS, SLC). 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 | 220° at 27 kt | +17 kt | 20 °C | 103 kt | 10 h 36 min | 11:06 am MDT (17:06 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 220° at 24 kt | +18 kt | 17 °C | 102 kt | 10 h 42 min | 11:12 am MDT (17:12 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 24 kt | +19 kt | 12 °C | 101 kt | 10 h 48 min | 11:18 am MDT (17:18 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 24 kt | +18 kt | 9 °C | 102 kt | 10 h 42 min | 11:12 am MDT (17:12 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 24 kt | +18 kt | 4 °C | 102 kt | 10 h 42 min | 11:12 am MDT (17:12 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +20 kt | -1 °C | 100 kt | 10 h 55 min | 11:25 am MDT (17:25 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | +22 kt | -5 °C | 98 kt | 11 h 08 min | 11:38 am MDT (17:38 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 27 kt | +24 kt | -9 °C | 96 kt | 11 h 22 min | 11:52 am MDT (17:52 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 33 kt | +29 kt | -21 °C | 91 kt | 11 h 59 min | 12:29 pm MDT (18:29 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 40 kt | +36 kt | -32 °C | 84 kt | 12 h 59 min | 1:29 pm MDT (19:29 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 50 kt | +49 kt | -38 °C | 71 kt | 15 h 22 min | 3:52 pm MDT (21:52 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 55 kt | +56 kt | -48 °C | 64 kt | 17 h 03 min | 5:33 pm MDT (23:33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOT | used from 0 nm out; 19 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° |
| DBQ | used from 99 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 230/33 | 250/30 16° | 280/15 9° | 260/15 5° | 260/21 -7° | 260/24 -20° | 250/37 -33° | 270/42 -43° | 280/63 -52° |
| DSM | used from 198 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 298 nm out; 60 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° |
| ONL | used from 446 nm out; 34 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 595 nm out; 88 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° | |
| RKS | used from 843 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 200/41 | 220/44 1° | 220/35 -11° | 220/46 -24° | 210/53 -27° | 220/62 -35° | 230/61 -44° | ||
| SLC | used from 1041 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/5 | 230/8 2° | 220/20 -2° | 210/40 -12° | 190/53 -25° | 210/62 -30° | 220/69 -34° | 220/64 -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 Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 619 ft | 12:53 am CDT (05:53 UTC) |
| ARR Chicago/Aurora, IL | 30 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 712 ft | 05:52 UTC |
| CID Cedar Rapids, IA | 179 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 869 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| EFW Jefferson, IA | 298 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | no report just now | 1,047 ft | ||||
| SUX Sioux City, IA | 387 nm out, 23 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 9 mi | none | 1,098 ft | 05:52 UTC |
| BUB Burwell, NE | 506 nm out, 12 nm south of the line | no report just now | 2,183 ft | ||||
| TIF Thedford, NE | 575 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the east (080°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 500 ft | 2,925 ft | 06:15 UTC |
| BFF Scottsbluff, NE | 704 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the west-northwest (300°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,967 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| SAA Saratoga, WY | 853 nm out, 2 nm west of the line | reported, no category | from the south (190°) at 20 knots, gusting to 36 | 10+ mi | none | 7,014 ft | 06:10 UTC |
| DWX Dixon, WY | 893 nm out, 20 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 10 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | 12,000 ft | 6,548 ft | 06:15 UTC |
| EVW Evanston, WY | 1041 nm out, 21 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 7,142 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| SLC Salt Lake City, UT | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,700 feet, a few clouds at 4,400 feet, overcast at 17,000 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 17,000 ft | 4,230 ft | 11:54 pm MDT (05:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,142 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SLC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:06 am MDT (17:06 UTC)
Wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SLC
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind variable at 10 knots, gusting to 25, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
The forecast for MDW, the departure
- 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 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 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
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at MDW 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC), at SLC 6:50 pm MDT (00:50 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:18 pm MDT (01:18 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, Salt Lake City International.