General Mitchell International to Portland International MKE → PDX
1,489 nautical miles (1,713 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 288°, about 292° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4W). At 120 knots that is 12 h 18 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 1-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:03 pm PDT (20:03 UTC). Right now MKE is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 10 knots; PDX 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: 5 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 C13C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 3:55 am CDT (08:55 UTC). Over the route from 629 to 649 nm out.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120655 MKCC WST 120655 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 13C VALID UNTIL 0855Z SD FROM 50NW DPR-30ESE DPR-20SE RAP-50WNW RAP-50NW DPR AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL300.
- 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), from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 70 to 230 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), from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 360 to 1189 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), from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 729 to 789 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Near the route, 749 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 769 to 839 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 779 to 899 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 909 to 1389 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 909 to 1309 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 1019 to 1219 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 180 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
- E73L descending, 8 nm south, 1:20 am CDT (06:20 UTC): remarks: breaking action good broke out about 600FT above ground. 1009 nm along the route, 8 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0620/FLDURD/TP E73L/RM BREAKING ACTION GOOD. BROKE OUT ABOUT 600FT AGL
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 06:20 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E73L
- Remarks
- breaking action good broke out about 600FT above ground
- B737 , 8 nm south, 12:31 am CDT (05:31 UTC): remarks: saw the light at 500FT braking good no icing. 1009 nm along the route, 8 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0531/FLBURD/TP B737/RM SAW THE LIGHT AT 500FT. BRAKING GOOD. NEG ICING
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 05:31 UTC
- Height
- at BURD
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- saw the light at 500FT braking good no icing
- E75L at 1,500 ft, 25 nm north, 11:49 pm CDT (04:49 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear loss of 8 knots on final. 1339 nm along the route, 25 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PSC UA /OV PSC120003/TM 0449/FL015/TP E75L/RM LLWS LOSS OF 8 KTS ON FINAL
- Report
- a routine report filed through PSC
- Where
- 3 nm southeast (120°) of PSC
- Time
- 04:49 UTC
- Height
- at 1,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear loss of 8 knots on final
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 15 forecast points nearest it (GRB, DBQ, LSE, MSP, FSD, ABR, PIR, RAP, DIK, MLS, BIL, DLN, LWS, YKM, PDX). 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 | 190° at 9 kt | −1 kt | 9 °C | 121 kt | 12 h 18 min | 1:03 pm PDT (20:03 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 200° at 8 kt | +1 kt | 9 °C | 119 kt | 12 h 31 min | 1:16 pm PDT (20:16 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 210° at 8 kt | +3 kt | 5 °C | 117 kt | 12 h 44 min | 1:29 pm PDT (20:29 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 13 kt | +7 kt | 1 °C | 113 kt | 13 h 11 min | 1:56 pm PDT (20:56 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 18 kt | +11 kt | -1 °C | 109 kt | 13 h 40 min | 2:25 pm PDT (21:25 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 20 kt | +13 kt | -5 °C | 107 kt | 13 h 55 min | 2:40 pm PDT (21:40 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 21 kt | +14 kt | -9 °C | 106 kt | 14 h 03 min | 2:48 pm PDT (21:48 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 22 kt | +16 kt | -13 °C | 104 kt | 14 h 19 min | 3:04 pm PDT (22:04 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 24 kt | +16 kt | -23 °C | 104 kt | 14 h 19 min | 3:04 pm PDT (22:04 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 31 kt | +22 kt | -36 °C | 98 kt | 15 h 12 min | 3:57 pm PDT (22:57 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 41 kt | +34 kt | -40 °C | 86 kt | 17 h 19 min | 6:04 pm PDT (01:04 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 49 kt | +44 kt | -46 °C | 76 kt | 19 h 36 min | 8:21 pm PDT (03:21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRB | used from 0 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 250/36 | 270/23 16° | 270/14 9° | 240/18 4° | 280/26 -9° | 280/29 -20° | 290/42 -36° | 290/51 -45° | 290/72 -55° |
| DBQ | used from 50 nm out; 76 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° |
| LSE | used from 100 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 230/40 | 240/24 17° | 240/13 10° | 250/13 6° | 280/22 -9° | 250/28 -21° | 250/41 -34° | 260/42 -44° | 270/62 -53° |
| MSP | used from 200 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 230/26 | 240/30 17° | 240/24 12° | 250/22 5° | 250/35 -10° | 260/36 -21° | 250/41 -36° | 250/49 -45° | 260/58 -52° |
| FSD | used from 350 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -47° |
| ABR | used from 400 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 070/14 | 250/10 17° | 270/16 11° | 260/28 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/41 -22° | 270/33 -37° | 260/42 -42° | 260/50 -48° |
| PIR | used from 500 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 170/22 19° | 190/25 13° | 210/32 6° | 240/23 -9° | 250/32 -21° | 250/38 -36° | 260/44 -40° | 260/52 -47° | |
| RAP | used from 599 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 180/23 12° | 200/38 13° | 210/38 6° | 220/28 -10° | 230/34 -21° | 230/37 -36° | 250/52 -38° | 250/59 -46° | |
| DIK | used from 649 nm out; 82 nm from the line | 150/24 7° | 200/38 6° | 220/53 0° | 230/51 -9° | 230/49 -21° | 240/37 -37° | 240/47 -44° | 250/65 -48° | |
| MLS | used from 699 nm out; 82 nm from the line | 150/23 2° | 190/29 4° | 210/44 2° | 220/32 -10° | 210/36 -21° | 200/48 -37° | 230/63 -40° | 240/71 -47° | |
| BIL | used from 849 nm out; 26 nm from the line | 080/13 | 180/9 -2° | 210/38 0° | 220/51 -11° | 210/46 -22° | 210/58 -35° | 230/73 -39° | 230/72 -45° | |
| DLN | used from 999 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 090/6 -6° | 240/22 -4° | 210/34 -16° | 210/62 -25° | 210/66 -34° | 210/82 -36° | 220/77 -42° | ||
| LWS | used from 1149 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 070/10 | 080/12 -2° | 030/12 -6° | 080/7 -10° | 170/34 -21° | 160/46 -32° | 200/33 -35° | 220/22 -35° | 230/18 -38° |
| YKM | used from 1349 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 070/10 | 040/15 -1° | 020/27 -8° | 030/25 -13° | 020/48 -20° | 010/83 -27° | 010/77 -37° | 010/49 -40° | 350/14 -41° |
| PDX | used from 1449 nm out; 20 nm from the line | L/V | 030/7 1° | 020/12 -6° | 020/29 -9° | 010/69 -16° | 010/81 -25° | 360/83 -40° | 360/67 -46° | 320/29 -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 10 knots | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 728 ft | 1:52 am CDT (06:52 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 | 07:35 UTC |
| RST Rochester, MN | 210 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 12 knots | 9 mi | none | 1,317 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| ULM New Ulm, MN | 300 nm out, 1 nm east of the line | VFR | from the west (270°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,011 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| MBG Mobridge, SD | 559 nm out, 22 nm north of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 11 knots, gusting to 18 | 9 mi | 500 ft | 1,716 ft | 07:22 UTC |
| BIL Billings, MT | 899 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light rain, light snow, mist | from the north-northwest (330°) at 6 knots | 6 mi | 1,300 ft | 3,662 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| BTM Butte, MT | 1069 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,800 feet, overcast at 2,800 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,800 ft | 5,550 ft | 07:29 UTC |
| PDT Pendleton, OR | 1329 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 6,500 feet | from the south (180°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 1,494 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| CZK Cascade Locks, OR | 1459 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | no report just now | 151 ft | ||||
| PDX Portland, OR | destination | VFR | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 30 ft | 11:53 pm PDT (06:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,550 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PDX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:03 pm PDT (20:03 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for PDX
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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 PDX 6:28 pm PDT (01:28 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:58 pm PDT (01:58 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, Portland International.