Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field to Dubuque Regional MSN → DBQ
75 nautical miles (86 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 234°, about 237° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 48 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 27-knot headwind), arriving about 1:56 am CDT (06:56 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MSN is VFR, wind variable at 3 knots; DBQ is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 13 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: 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 first 0 nm of the route.
Turbulence No turbulence warning in force along the route. AIRMET in force: 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 first 0 nm of the route. No pilot has reported turbulence near the line in the last three hours. The government's turbulence forecast map ↗
Icing No icing warning in force along the route. No pilot has reported icing near the line in the last three hours. The freezing level is about 14,500 ft (from the winds-aloft temperatures), so icing is possible in cloud above that. The government's icing forecast map ↗
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 MSN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
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 1 forecast point nearest it (DBQ). 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 40 kt | +37 kt | 83 kt | 54 min | 2:02 am CDT (07:02 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 260° at 37 kt | +33 kt | 16 °C | 87 kt | 52 min | 2:00 am CDT (07:00 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 270° at 32 kt | +27 kt | 13 °C | 93 kt | 48 min | 1:56 am CDT (06:56 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 270° at 32 kt | +26 kt | 9 °C | 94 kt | 48 min | 1:56 am CDT (06:56 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 270° at 34 kt | +28 kt | 5 °C | 92 kt | 49 min | 1:57 am CDT (06:57 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 270° at 36 kt | +31 kt | 0 °C | 89 kt | 51 min | 1:59 am CDT (06:59 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 260° at 38 kt | +33 kt | -5 °C | 87 kt | 52 min | 2:00 am CDT (07:00 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 260° at 39 kt | +35 kt | -9 °C | 85 kt | 53 min | 2:01 am CDT (07:01 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 46 kt | +37 kt | -21 °C | 83 kt | 54 min | 2:02 am CDT (07:02 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 62 kt | +43 kt | -31 °C | 77 kt | 58 min | 2:06 am CDT (07:06 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 77 kt | +54 kt | -39 °C | 66 kt | 1 h 08 min | 2:16 am CDT (07:16 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 91 kt | +51 kt | -47 °C | 69 kt | 1 h 05 min | 2:13 am CDT (07:13 UTC) |
Based on data from the 13th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 13th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBQ | used from 0 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 250/42 | 260/38 17° | 270/31 12° | 270/34 6° | 260/39 -9° | 270/46 -21° | 280/62 -31° | 280/77 -39° | 290/91 -47° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSN Madison, WI | departure | VFR | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 886 ft | 12:53 am CDT (05:53 UTC) |
| PVB Platteville, WI | 56 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 13 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | none | 1,025 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| DBQ Dubuque, IA | destination | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,076 ft | 12:53 am CDT (05:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,076 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
The codes as issued, and in English, for every airport in the table
MSN Madison, WI
the observation and the forecast as issued, and in English
METAR KMSN 130553Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 23/18 A2967 RMK AO2 SLP041 T02330178 10272 20233 402940172 56006 $
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KMSN
- the station, KMSN
- 130553Z
- observed 12:53 am CDT (05:53 UTC)
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- VRB03KT
- wind light and variable
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- CLR
- clear skies
- 23/18
- temperature 23 °C (73 °F), dew point 18 °C (64 °F)
- A2967
- altimeter setting 29.67 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP041
- sea-level pressure 1004.1 hPa
- T02330178
- temperature 23.3 °C (74 °F), dew point 17.8 °C (64 °F)
- 10272
- highest temperature in the last six hours 27.2 °C (81 °F)
- 20233
- lowest temperature in the last six hours 23.3 °C (74 °F)
- 402940172
- 24-hour highest 29.4 °C (85 °F), lowest 17.2 °C (63 °F)
- 56006
- pressure in the last three hours falling, then steady, change 0.6 hPa
- $
- the station needs maintenance
TAF KMSN 130520Z 1306/1406 23010KT P6SM SKC WS020/25045KT FM130900 30010KT P6SM FEW250 FM140000 00000KT P6SM SCT100
- TAF
- a terminal aerodrome forecast: the weather expected at the airport, usually for the next 24 or 30 hours
- KMSN
- the station, KMSN
- 130520Z
- issued 12:20 am CDT (05:20 UTC)
- 1306/1406 23010KT P6SM SKC WS020/25045KT
- valid from Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC) to Wed 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies, wind shear below 2,000 feet: wind from 250° at 45 knots above it
- FM130900 30010KT P6SM FEW250
- from Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- FM140000 00000KT P6SM SCT100
- from Tue 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
PVB Platteville, WI
the observation as issued, and in English
METAR KPVB 130555Z AUTO 23013G17KT 10SM CLR 24/19 A2972 RMK AO1 T02370190 10257 20226 402950171
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KPVB
- the station, KPVB
- 130555Z
- observed 05:55 UTC on the 13th
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 23013G17KT
- wind from the southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 17
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- CLR
- clear skies
- 24/19
- temperature 24 °C (75 °F), dew point 19 °C (66 °F)
- A2972
- altimeter setting 29.72 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO1
- automated station without a precipitation sensor (it cannot tell rain from snow)
- T02370190
- temperature 23.7 °C (75 °F), dew point 19 °C (66 °F)
- 10257
- highest temperature in the last six hours 25.7 °C (78 °F)
- 20226
- lowest temperature in the last six hours 22.6 °C (73 °F)
- 402950171
- 24-hour highest 29.5 °C (85 °F), lowest 17.1 °C (63 °F)
DBQ Dubuque, IA
the observation and the forecast as issued, and in English
METAR KDBQ 130553Z AUTO 23013KT 10SM CLR 22/17 A2972 RMK AO2 SLP056 T02220172 10250 20222 403000161 58002 $
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KDBQ
- the station, KDBQ
- 130553Z
- observed 12:53 am CDT (05:53 UTC)
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 23013KT
- wind from the southwest at 13 knots
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- CLR
- clear skies
- 22/17
- temperature 22 °C (72 °F), dew point 17 °C (63 °F)
- A2972
- altimeter setting 29.72 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
- SLP056
- sea-level pressure 1005.6 hPa
- T02220172
- temperature 22.2 °C (72 °F), dew point 17.2 °C (63 °F)
- 10250
- highest temperature in the last six hours 25 °C (77 °F)
- 20222
- lowest temperature in the last six hours 22.2 °C (72 °F)
- 403000161
- 24-hour highest 30 °C (86 °F), lowest 16.1 °C (61 °F)
- 58002
- pressure in the last three hours falling, faster lately, change 0.2 hPa
- $
- the station needs maintenance
TAF KDBQ 130520Z 1306/1406 23010KT P6SM SCT250 FM130800 28010KT P6SM SCT250 FM131000 31008KT P6SM SCT013 BKN250 FM131500 30008KT P6SM FEW014 SCT250 FM140000 34007KT P6SM BKN100 OVC250 PROB30 1402/1406 4SM -TSRA BR BKN030CB
- TAF
- a terminal aerodrome forecast: the weather expected at the airport, usually for the next 24 or 30 hours
- KDBQ
- the station, KDBQ
- 130520Z
- issued 12:20 am CDT (05:20 UTC)
- 1306/1406 23010KT P6SM SCT250
- valid from Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC) to Wed 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- FM130800 28010KT P6SM SCT250
- from Tue 3:00 am CDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- FM131000 31008KT P6SM SCT013 BKN250
- from Tue 5:00 am CDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,300 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- FM131500 30008KT P6SM FEW014 SCT250
- from Tue 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,400 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- FM140000 34007KT P6SM BKN100 OVC250
- from Tue 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet, overcast at 25,000 feet
- PROB30 1402/1406 4SM -TSRA BR BKN030CB
- a 30% chance from Tue 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC) to Wed 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, mist, a broken layer at 3,000 feet (thunderheads)
At DBQ when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:56 am CDT (06:56 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for DBQ
- From Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Tue 3:00 am CDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Tue 5:00 am CDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,300 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Tue 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,400 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Tue 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet, overcast at 25,000 feet
- 30% chance between Tue 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC) and 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, mist, a broken layer at 3,000 feet (thunderheads)
The forecast for MSN, the departure
- From Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies
- From Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Tue 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
DBQ: the forecast as issued, and in English
TAF KDBQ 130520Z 1306/1406 23010KT P6SM SCT250 FM130800 28010KT P6SM SCT250 FM131000 31008KT P6SM SCT013 BKN250 FM131500 30008KT P6SM FEW014 SCT250 FM140000 34007KT P6SM BKN100 OVC250 PROB30 1402/1406 4SM -TSRA BR BKN030CB
MSN: the forecast as issued, and in English
TAF KMSN 130520Z 1306/1406 23010KT P6SM SKC WS020/25045KT FM130900 30010KT P6SM FEW250 FM140000 00000KT P6SM SCT100
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Notices to air missions closures and things out of service at both ends; airspace, navigation aids and obstructions near the line
MSN: 18 notices in force. all of them, grouped →
DBQ: 13 notices in force. all of them, grouped →
4 notices near the line (airspace and special activity within 25 nm, navigation aids within 25 nm, obstructions within 5 nm):
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1051548) 42°42′N 89°59′W (15.3 nautical miles southeast MRJ) 1375.0FT (313.0FT above ground level) out of service until Sat 28 Nov, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 37 nm along the route, 4 nm off the line · MRJ 09/009
as issued
!MRJ 09/009 MRJ OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1051548) 424215.00N0895942.00W (15.3NM SE MRJ) 1375.0FT (313.0FT AGL) U/S 2609281435-2611282359
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1232945) 42°34′N 90°14′W (11.4 nautical miles southeast PVB) 1349.7FT (324.8FT above ground level) out of service until Mon 7 Dec, 9:15 pm CST (03:15 UTC) · 56 nm along the route, 6 nm off the line · PVB 10/120
as issued
!GRB 10/120 PVB OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1232945) 423409.50N0901440.50W (11.4NM SE PVB) 1349.7FT (324.8FT AGL) U/S 2610080315-2612080315
- Obstruction tower lights (ASR 1230580) 42°42′N 90°29′W (2.1 nautical miles WNW PVB) 1221.8FT (259.8FT above ground level) out of service until Tue 20 Oct, 8:43 am CDT (13:43 UTC) · 56 nm along the route, 9 nm off the line · PVB 09/091
as issued
!GRB 09/091 PVB OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1230580) 424218.80N0902913.70W (2.1NM WNW PVB) 1221.8FT (259.8FT AGL) U/S 2609051344-2610201343
- Airspace unmanned aircraft (drones) within an area defined as.7 nautical miles radius of 42°48′N 89°06′W (4.5 nautical miles south 58C) the surface-225 ft above ground level until Thu 31 Dec, 5:59 pm CST (23:59 UTC) · 0 nm along the route, 20 nm off the line · 58C 12/896
as issued
!GRB 12/896 58C AIRSPACE UAS WI AN AREA DEFINED AS .7NM RADIUS OF 424836N0890607W (4.5NM S 58C) SFC-225FT AGL 2512220400-2612312359
From the FAA's notice service (NOTAMs), the site's copy refreshed every few minutes; last checked 2 minutes ago. The FAA has so far issued eFlight its test feed, which misses some notices (checked against the FAA's own search on 12 October: about a third missing at Santa Barbara and Burbank, none at Atlanta or Las Vegas); the request for the full feed is with the FAA. Times are local to the field. This is for planning; the legal briefing comes from Flight Service or the FAA's own tools.
Daylight
Sunset at MSN 6:18 pm CDT (23:18 UTC), at DBQ 6:24 pm CDT (23:24 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:52 pm CDT (23:52 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DBQ is before sunrise there (7:13 am CDT (12:13 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times.
The wind over the route live wind map, from Windy.com · drag the time bar for the coming hours; the level menu changes the height
Colours show wind speed, the moving lines its direction, at the surface unless you pick a height. Map and forecast by Windy.com; a second opinion beside the government's winds-aloft table above.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads · the turbulence and icing forecasts: turbulence ↗ · icing ↗
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: Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field, Dubuque Regional.