Modesto City-County-Harry Sham Field to Brown Field Municipal MOD → SDM
361 nautical miles (415 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 146°, about 130° magnetic at the departure end (variation 16E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 19 min at the quickest height in today's winds (24,000 ft, a 11-knot headwind), arriving about 3:44 am PDT (10:44 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MOD is VFR, wind from the north-northwest (340°) at 5 knots; SDM is marginal VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) 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: 1 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 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 19 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 195 to 263 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 331 to 351 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 MOD.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- GLF5 at 3,500 ft, 12 nm southwest, 9:54 pm PDT (04:54 UTC): overcast above 3,600 ft. 234 nm along the route, 12 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
VNY UA /OV VNY36006/TM 0454/FL035/TP GLF5/SK OVC036
- Report
- a routine report filed through VNY
- Where
- VNY36006
- Time
- 04:54 UTC
- Height
- at 3,500 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Sky
- overcast from 3,600 ft
- B38M at 3,000 ft, 25 nm northeast, 10:47 pm PDT (05:47 UTC): a broken layer from 2,900 ft to 8,000 ft, remarks: BASE030. 273 nm along the route, 25 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV KONT080005/TM 0547/FL030/TP B38M/SK BKN029-TOP080/RM BASE030
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 5 nm east (080°) of KONT
- Time
- 05:47 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,900 ft, tops 8,000 ft
- Remarks
- BASE030
- A321 at 3,300 ft, 27 nm northeast, 9:59 pm PDT (04:59 UTC): a broken layer above 3,300 ft, remarks: during the descent. 273 nm along the route, 27 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT078008/TM 0459/FL033/TP A321/SK BKN033-TOPUNKN/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 8 nm east (078°) of ONT
- Time
- 04:59 UTC
- Height
- at 3,300 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,300 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent
- E75L at 700 ft, 6 nm west, 11:40 pm PDT (06:40 UTC): a broken layer, 18 °C, wind 170° at 6 knots, remarks: rain bases 700 ft to the east. At the destination end, 6 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV FINAL RWY 27/TM 0640/FL007/TP E75L/SK BKN/WX 5SM/TA 18/WV 17006/RM -RA BASES 007 TO THE EAST
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- final runway 27
- Time
- 06:40 UTC
- Height
- at 700 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Sky
- a broken layer
- Weather
- 5SM
- Temperature
- 18 °C
- Wind
- from 170° at 6 knots
- Remarks
- rain bases 700 ft to the east
- BCS3 at 1,000 ft, 6 nm west, 11:20 pm PDT (06:20 UTC): remarks: during the descent runway 27. At the destination end, 6 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0620/FL010/TP BCS3/SK BASE010/RM DURD RY27
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 06:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Sky
- BASE010
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 27
- B737 at 2,500 ft, 6 nm west, 10:07 pm PDT (05:07 UTC): a broken layer from 3,000 ft to 5,000 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 27. At the destination end, 6 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0507/FL025/TP B737/SK BKN030-TOP050/RM DURD RY27
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAN
- Where
- over SAN
- Time
- 05:07 UTC
- Height
- at 2,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft, tops 5,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 27
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 eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 4 forecast points nearest it (FAT, WJF, ONT, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 160° at 12 kt | +12 kt | 108 kt | 3 h 21 min | 3:46 am PDT (10:46 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 180° at 20 kt | +16 kt | 6 °C | 104 kt | 3 h 28 min | 3:53 am PDT (10:53 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 190° at 24 kt | +16 kt | 4 °C | 104 kt | 3 h 28 min | 3:53 am PDT (10:53 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 27 kt | +15 kt | 1 °C | 105 kt | 3 h 26 min | 3:51 am PDT (10:51 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 28 kt | +13 kt | -3 °C | 107 kt | 3 h 22 min | 3:47 am PDT (10:47 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 210° at 30 kt | +13 kt | -7 °C | 107 kt | 3 h 22 min | 3:47 am PDT (10:47 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 210° at 32 kt | +13 kt | -10 °C | 107 kt | 3 h 22 min | 3:47 am PDT (10:47 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 35 kt | +13 kt | -13 °C | 107 kt | 3 h 22 min | 3:47 am PDT (10:47 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 35 kt | +13 kt | -14 °C | 107 kt | 3 h 22 min | 3:47 am PDT (10:47 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 37 kt | +11 kt | -22 °C | 109 kt | 3 h 19 min | 3:44 am PDT (10:44 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 46 kt | +14 kt | -29 °C | 106 kt | 3 h 24 min | 3:49 am PDT (10:49 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 49 kt | +15 kt | -36 °C | 105 kt | 3 h 26 min | 3:51 am PDT (10:51 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 52 kt | +15 kt | -44 °C | 105 kt | 3 h 26 min | 3:51 am PDT (10:51 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAT | used from 0 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 130/16 | 160/20 5° | 190/28 -1° | 210/25 -5° | 220/27 -15° | 230/21 -26° | 220/42 -29° | 220/44 -35° | 220/44 -44° |
| WJF | used from 146 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 200/28 6° | 210/28 3° | 210/29 -4° | 210/28 -14° | 220/41 -20° | 220/47 -29° | 220/46 -37° | 220/53 -44° | |
| ONT | used from 244 nm out; 21 nm from the line | 190/8 | 190/19 6° | 210/23 4° | 210/29 -3° | 210/47 -13° | 210/49 -19° | 220/47 -30° | 220/50 -36° | 220/55 -43° |
| SAN | used from 292 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 200/11 | 200/23 7° | 210/27 4° | 210/31 -3° | 220/56 -10° | 220/56 -19° | 220/52 -30° | 220/64 -37° | 220/67 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOD Modesto, CA | departure | VFR | from the north-northwest (340°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 99 ft | 11:53 pm PDT (06:53 UTC) |
| MER Atwater, CA | 19 nm out, 8 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 190 ft | 23:55 UTC |
| FAT Fresno, CA | 78 nm out, 21 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,500 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 14 knots | 9 mi | 12,000 ft | 335 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| HJO Hanford, CA | 97 nm out, 10 nm east of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 239 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| BFL Bakersfield, CA | 156 nm out, 6 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 8,000 feet | from the north (350°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 509 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| TSP Tehachapi, CA | 195 nm out, 20 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,900 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 3,900 ft | 4,001 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| WHP Los Angeles, CA | 234 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,000 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots, gusting to 11 | 10+ mi | 4,000 ft | 1,003 ft | 02:00 UTC |
| EMT El Monte, CA | 253 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,400 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet | from the south (170°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 295 ft | 02:45 UTC |
| SNA Santa Ana, CA | 283 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,100 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 55 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| MYF San Diego, CA | 341 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,900 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots | 3 mi | 1,200 ft | 427 ft | 07:19 UTC |
| SDM San Diego, CA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet, overcast at 3,600 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 3,000 ft | 526 ft | 12:10 am PDT (07:10 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,001 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SDM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:44 am PDT (10:44 UTC)
SDM has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
The forecast for MOD, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA on the route, 273 nm along the route · security · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at MOD 6:29 pm PDT (01:29 UTC), at SDM 6:17 pm PDT (01:17 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm PDT (01:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SDM is before sunrise there (6:49 am PDT (13:49 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: Modesto City-County-Harry Sham Field, Brown Field Municipal.





