General Mitchell International to Missoula Montana Airport MKE → MSO
1,133 nautical miles (1,304 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 291°, about 295° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4W). At 120 knots that is 10 h 02 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 7-knot headwind), arriving about 12:42 pm MDT (18:42 UTC). Right now MKE is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots; MSO is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 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 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 C14C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 35,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 4:55 am CDT (09:55 UTC). Over the route from 596 to 636 nm out.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120755 MKCC WST 120755 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 14C VALID UNTIL 0955Z SD ND FROM 50SE DIK-50ENE DPR-40ENE RAP-50NNW RAP-50SE DIK AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL350.
- 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 40 to 189 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). Over the last 775 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). Near the route, 706 nm along the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 725 to 825 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the last 298 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 219 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 60 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 MKE.
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 08:00–15:00 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 (GRB, DBQ, LSE, MSP, AXN, ABR, PIR, DIK, MLS, BIL, GTF, GPI). 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 | 250° at 9 kt | +7 kt | 4 °C | 113 kt | 10 h 02 min | 12:42 pm MDT (18:42 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 240° at 12 kt | +9 kt | 11 °C | 111 kt | 10 h 12 min | 12:52 pm MDT (18:52 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 240° at 17 kt | +12 kt | 9 °C | 108 kt | 10 h 29 min | 1:09 pm MDT (19:09 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 20 kt | +14 kt | 3 °C | 106 kt | 10 h 41 min | 1:21 pm MDT (19:21 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 22 kt | +16 kt | 0 °C | 104 kt | 10 h 54 min | 1:34 pm MDT (19:34 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 24 kt | +17 kt | -4 °C | 103 kt | 11 h | 1:40 pm MDT (19:40 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 25 kt | +18 kt | -8 °C | 102 kt | 11 h 06 min | 1:46 pm MDT (19:46 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 26 kt | +19 kt | -11 °C | 101 kt | 11 h 13 min | 1:53 pm MDT (19:53 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 35 kt | +25 kt | -23 °C | 95 kt | 11 h 56 min | 2:36 pm MDT (20:36 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 40 kt | +28 kt | -36 °C | 92 kt | 12 h 19 min | 2:59 pm MDT (20:59 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 49 kt | +39 kt | -40 °C | 81 kt | 13 h 59 min | 4:39 pm MDT (22:39 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 58 kt | +52 kt | -46 °C | 68 kt | 16 h 40 min | 7:20 pm MDT (01:20 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRB | used from 0 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 250/32 | 250/22 17° | 240/18 8° | 280/21 6° | 280/34 -11° | 280/35 -21° | 280/39 -37° | 270/52 -45° | 290/60 -49° |
| DBQ | used from 50 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 250/27 | 260/23 17° | 240/26 10° | 260/30 4° | 280/26 -9° | 280/36 -21° | 270/41 -36° | 280/52 -41° | 290/67 -48° |
| LSE | used from 99 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 250/25 | 240/21 17° | 240/28 11° | 250/28 5° | 280/24 -10° | 280/31 -21° | 260/35 -37° | 270/45 -43° | 280/59 -47° |
| MSP | used from 199 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 250/12 | 250/17 17° | 240/26 12° | 250/26 5° | 280/26 -9° | 280/32 -22° | 270/37 -38° | 280/47 -41° | 280/55 -48° |
| AXN | used from 298 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 110/6 | 260/10 16° | 240/17 12° | 250/20 5° | 260/29 -10° | 260/35 -22° | 260/29 -38° | 270/48 -41° | 270/61 -48° |
| ABR | used from 398 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 080/12 | 210/12 17° | 220/22 12° | 230/26 5° | 220/28 -10° | 230/41 -21° | 250/36 -36° | 260/47 -39° | 260/63 -47° |
| PIR | used from 547 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 230/15 15° | 220/22 14° | 220/24 6° | 200/32 -10° | 210/48 -22° | 240/45 -33° | 240/43 -37° | 250/55 -46° | |
| DIK | used from 596 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 190/12 5° | 230/29 7° | 220/33 1° | 220/43 -11° | 210/47 -23° | 220/53 -33° | 240/56 -40° | 250/72 -47° | |
| MLS | used from 745 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 290/17 -1° | 250/18 0° | 230/25 0° | 220/31 -11° | 220/32 -24° | 220/50 -32° | 220/60 -38° | 230/71 -46° | |
| BIL | used from 845 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 300/14 | 270/19 -2° | 260/26 -2° | 220/28 -13° | 210/51 -25° | 220/56 -33° | 220/61 -39° | 220/72 -45° | |
| GTF | used from 944 nm out; 69 nm from the line | L/V | L/V -7° | 240/8 -8° | 240/30 -14° | 240/40 -28° | 210/52 -38° | 210/76 -38° | 220/72 -43° | |
| GPI | used from 1093 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 090/8 -4° | 140/7 -7° | 090/10 -8° | 110/10 -19° | 210/25 -30° | 200/24 -40° | 210/31 -39° | 210/35 -42° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKE Milwaukee, WI | departure | VFR Sky: overcast at 25,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 728 ft | 2:52 am CDT (07:52 UTC) |
| UES Waukesha, WI | 20 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 911 ft | 08:15 UTC |
| LSE La Crosse, WI | 159 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 655 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| FBL Faribault, MN | 248 nm out, 1 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,060 ft | 08:35 UTC |
| GDB Granite Falls, MN | 348 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | calm | 4 mi | 300 ft | 1,047 ft | 08:35 UTC |
| ABR Aberdeen, SD | 477 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (020°) at 10 knots | 3 mi | 300 ft | 1,301 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| LEM Lemmon, SD | 636 nm out, 2 nm east of the line | no report just now | 2,572 ft | ||||
| BWW Bowman, ND | 686 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the east-northeast (070°) at 9 knots | 1.75 mi | 300 ft | 2,965 ft | 08:35 UTC |
| MLS Miles City, MT | 795 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: light rain | from the northeast (050°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 2,634 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| HWQ Harlowton, MT | 954 nm out, 16 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,311 ft | ||||
| HLN Helena, MT | 1044 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,900 feet, overcast at 4,800 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the west (270°) at 9 knots | 4 mi | 4,800 ft | 3,877 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| MSO Missoula, MT | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,600 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 8 mi | 8,000 ft | 3,205 ft | 2:02 am MDT (08:02 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,311 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MSO when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:42 pm MDT (18:42 UTC)
Wind from the east-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MSO
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the east at 2 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm MDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 10,000 feet
The forecast for MKE, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet
- From Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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 MKE 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC), at MSO 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 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: General Mitchell International, Missoula Montana Airport.
