Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport to Tucson International MEM → TUS
1,061 nautical miles (1,221 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 266°, about 267° magnetic at the departure end (variation 1W). At 120 knots that is 9 h 28 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 8-knot headwind), arriving about 2:16 am MST (09:16 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MEM is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots; TUS is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 16 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: 465 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 W64W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 37,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm CDT (00:55 UTC). Over the route from 823 to 1031 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112255 MKCW WST 112255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 64W VALID UNTIL 0055Z TX NM AZ FROM 50ENE PGS-60SE ABQ-10W ELP-30E TUS-70SE EED-50ENE PGS AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL370.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the last 268 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 813 to 1051 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 893 to 1051 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 MEM.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A319 at 39,000 ft, 2 nm south, 6:11 pm CDT (23:11 UTC): no chop turbulence, remarks: smooth. At the departure end, 2 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MEM UA /OV MEM/TM 2311/FL390/TP A319/TB NEG CHOP/RM SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through MEM
- Where
- over MEM
- Time
- 23:11 UTC
- Height
- at 39,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- no chop
- Remarks
- smooth
- B38M at 35,000 ft, 43 nm northeast, 4:34 pm CDT (21:34 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zme. At the departure end, 43 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MKL UA /OV MKL225020/TM 2134/FL350/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through MKL
- Where
- 20 nm southwest (225°) of MKL
- Time
- 21:34 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- Remarks
- zme
- G280 at 41,000 ft, 46 nm south, 5:12 pm CDT (22:12 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ZME44. 99 nm along the route, 46 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PBF UA /OV PBF180005/TM 2212/FL410/TP G280/TB CONS LGT/RM ZME44
- Report
- a routine report filed through PBF
- Where
- 5 nm south (180°) of PBF
- Time
- 22:12 UTC
- Height
- at 41,000 ft
- Aircraft
- G280
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- ZME44
- GLF4 at 45,000 ft, 22 nm north, 6:01 pm CDT (23:01 UTC): light to moderate turbulence from 40,000 ft to 45,000 ft, remarks: south zab fdcs. 863 nm along the route, 22 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TCS UA /OV TCS/TM 2301/FL450/TP GLF4/TB OCNL LGT-MOD 450-400/RM S - ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through TCS
- Where
- over TCS
- Time
- 23:01 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- occasional light to moderate from 45,000 ft to 40,000 ft
- Remarks
- south zab fdcs
- B739 at 31,000 ft, 7 nm southwest, 3:59 pm CDT (20:59 UTC): remarks: zab fdcs. 912 nm along the route, 7 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SVC UA /OV SVC/TM 2059/FL310/TP B739/SK TOP310/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through SVC
- Where
- over SVC
- Time
- 20:59 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- TOP310
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
- F2TH descending, 2 nm southeast, 5:58 pm CDT (22:58 UTC): light turbulence. At the destination end, 2 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TUS UA /OV R22 FINAL/TM 2258/FLDURD/TP F2TH/TB LT TURBULENCE 14000 TO 9000FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through TUS
- Where
- R22 final
- Time
- 22:58 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- F2TH
- Turbulence
- lt turbulence wind from 140° at 0 knots to 9000FT
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 9 forecast points nearest it (MEM, LIT, FSM, OKC, SPS, LBB, ROW, ELP, TUS). 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 | 200° at 19 kt | +8 kt | 18 °C | 112 kt | 9 h 28 min | 2:16 am MST (09:16 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 200° at 19 kt | +10 kt | 16 °C | 110 kt | 9 h 39 min | 2:27 am MST (09:27 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 210° at 20 kt | +14 kt | 13 °C | 106 kt | 10 h 01 min | 2:49 am MST (09:49 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 21 kt | +16 kt | 10 °C | 104 kt | 10 h 12 min | 3:00 am MST (10:00 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 22 kt | +19 kt | 6 °C | 101 kt | 10 h 30 min | 3:18 am MST (10:18 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | +21 kt | 2 °C | 99 kt | 10 h 43 min | 3:31 am MST (10:31 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +23 kt | -3 °C | 97 kt | 10 h 56 min | 3:44 am MST (10:44 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 26 kt | +25 kt | -6 °C | 95 kt | 11 h 10 min | 3:58 am MST (10:58 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 36 kt | +36 kt | -16 °C | 84 kt | 12 h 38 min | 5:26 am MST (12:26 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 46 kt | +47 kt | -28 °C | 73 kt | 14 h 32 min | 7:20 am MST (14:20 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 47 kt | +48 kt | -39 °C | 72 kt | 14 h 44 min | 7:32 am MST (14:32 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 46 kt | +47 kt | -50 °C | 73 kt | 14 h 32 min | 7:20 am MST (14:20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEM | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 240/9 | 280/14 17° | 280/20 12° | 290/25 5° | 320/25 -6° | 330/31 -18° | 320/52 -32° | 330/58 -41° | 320/42 -50° |
| LIT | used from 50 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 220/12 | 250/12 17° | 250/18 12° | 260/22 6° | 310/14 -5° | 310/25 -17° | 310/40 -31° | 310/38 -41° | 310/46 -52° |
| FSM | used from 149 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 200/18 | 210/19 15° | 230/22 13° | 250/18 7° | 270/20 -5° | 280/24 -16° | 280/35 -30° | 290/37 -40° | 300/40 -52° |
| OKC | used from 298 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 190/29 | 200/29 16° | 230/22 14° | 240/17 9° | 240/28 -6° | 250/35 -15° | 270/42 -29° | 270/43 -39° | 280/38 -51° |
| SPS | used from 347 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 180/26 | 200/25 16° | 220/19 13° | 220/20 9° | 230/26 -5° | 230/34 -15° | 260/37 -28° | 270/42 -39° | 280/40 -51° |
| LBB | used from 496 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 180/26 20° | 210/21 13° | 230/21 7° | 250/25 -5° | 250/34 -16° | 250/52 -28° | 260/47 -38° | 260/49 -50° | |
| ROW | used from 645 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 180/23 | 190/24 15° | 210/27 7° | 230/35 -6° | 240/53 -17° | 240/62 -27° | 250/64 -38° | 260/60 -50° | |
| ELP | used from 793 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 200/15 | 200/16 15° | 200/17 6° | 220/40 -6° | 240/53 -16° | 230/62 -27° | 240/63 -38° | 250/59 -49° | |
| TUS | used from 942 nm out; 94 nm from the line | 220/17 15° | 210/32 7° | 210/43 5° | 210/49 -7° | 220/64 -18° | 220/83 -26° | 230/81 -36° | 230/72 -48° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEM Memphis, TN | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 340 ft | 5:54 pm CDT (22:54 UTC) |
| FCY Forrest City, AR | 40 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | no report just now | 249 ft | ||||
| LIT Little Rock, AR | 109 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 266 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| AQR Atoka, OK | 307 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | no report just now | 590 ft | ||||
| ADM Ardmore, OK | 347 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 13 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | none | 776 ft | 19:50 UTC |
| SPS Wichita Falls, TX | 426 nm out, 19 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 18 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,019 ft | 22:52 UTC |
| LBB Lubbock, TX | 595 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 21 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | none | 3,282 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| ROW Roswell, NM | 734 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,671 ft | 22:51 UTC |
| SRR Ruidoso, NM | 774 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,813 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| SVC Silver City, NM | 912 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 9,500 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 18 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 5,445 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| TUS Tucson, AZ | destination | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,643 ft | 3:53 pm MST (22:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,813 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At TUS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:16 am MST (09:16 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for TUS
- From Sun 5:00 pm MST (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MST (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am MST (14:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MST (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet
The forecast for MEM, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8722 ALAMOGORDO, NM, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 784 nm along the route · security · starts Tuesday 13 October · ZAB
Daylight
Sunset at MEM 6:30 pm CDT (23:30 UTC), at TUS 5:55 pm MST (00:55 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:19 pm MST (01:19 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at TUS is before sunrise there (6:25 am MST (13:25 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: Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport, Tucson International.