Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field to Palm Springs International MSN → PSP
1,386 nautical miles (1,595 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 255°, about 258° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 14 h 17 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 23-knot headwind), arriving about 10:20 pm PDT (05:20 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MSN is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots; PSP is VFR, wind calm. 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 2W: 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 319 to 319 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 628 to 1167 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 728 to 917 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 847 to 1256 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 937 to 1196 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1127 to 1216 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the last 40 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 0 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 MSN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent C172 at 6,700 ft, 36 nm northwest, 7:54 am CDT (12:54 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 10 knots during the climb. 728 nm along the route, 36 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV KAPA/TM 1254/FL067/TP C172/RM LLWS +/- 10 KTS DURC
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- over KAPA
- Time
- 12:54 UTC
- Height
- at 6,700 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 10 knots during the climb
- urgent FA7X at 6,800 ft, 36 nm northwest, 7:40 am CDT (12:40 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear a 40-knot loss of airspeed knots during the climb runway 35R. 728 nm along the route, 36 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV KAPA/TM 1240/FL068/TP FA7X/RM LLWS -40 KTS DURC RY 35R
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- over KAPA
- Time
- 12:40 UTC
- Height
- at 6,800 ft
- Aircraft
- FA7X
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 40-knot loss of airspeed knots during the climb runway 35R
- urgent TBM7 at 100 ft, 35 nm northwest, 7:30 am CDT (12:30 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 10-knot loss of airspeed. 728 nm along the route, 35 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV APA140001/TM 1230/FL001/TP TBM7/TB LGT CHOP/RM LLWS +-10KTS
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- 1 nm southeast (140°) of APA
- Time
- 12:30 UTC
- Height
- at 100 ft
- Aircraft
- TBM7
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 10-knot loss of airspeed
- urgent E75L at 6,600 ft, 10 nm south, 9:08 am CDT (14:08 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 25-knot gain of airspeed during the climb 17L. 738 nm along the route, 10 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UUA /OV COS/TM 1408/FL066/TP E75L/TB LGT/RM LLWS +25KTS DURC 17L
- Report
- an urgent report filed through COS
- Where
- over COS
- Time
- 14:08 UTC
- Height
- at 6,600 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- light
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 25-knot gain of airspeed during the climb 17L
- B38M at 12,000 ft, 32 nm north, 9:07 am CDT (14:07 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 11,000 ft to 12,000 ft. 698 nm along the route, 32 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN090025/TM 1407/FL120/TP B38M/TB MOD/RM 110-120
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm east (090°) of DEN
- Time
- 14:07 UTC
- Height
- at 12,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- from 11,000 ft to 12,000 ft
- C172 at 200 ft, 37 nm northwest, 7:35 am CDT (12:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear a 15-knot loss of airspeed. 728 nm along the route, 37 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UA /OV APA350001/TM 1235/FL002/TP C172/TB MOD TURB/RM LLWS +-15KTS
- Report
- a routine report filed through APA
- Where
- 1 nm north (350°) of APA
- Time
- 12:35 UTC
- Height
- at 200 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 15-knot loss of airspeed
- C172 at 9,500 ft, 4 nm northeast, 7:43 am CDT (12:43 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 738 nm along the route, 4 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK348/005/TM 1243/FL095/TP C172/TB TB MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- BRK348/005
- Time
- 12:43 UTC
- Height
- at 9,500 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Turbulence
- turbulence moderate chop
- E55P at 8,000 ft, 13 nm southeast, 9:30 am CDT (14:30 UTC): moderate turbulence. 748 nm along the route, 13 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV 5S COS/TM 1430/FL080/TP E55P/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 5S cos
- Time
- 14:30 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E55P
- Turbulence
- moderate
- F2TH at 36,300 ft, 42 nm southeast, 8:15 am CDT (13:15 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence above 36,300 ft, wind 255° at 90 knots. 748 nm along the route, 42 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB /TM 1315 /FL363 /TP F2TH /WV 25590KT /TB MOD CAT 363
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- over PUB
- Time
- 13:15 UTC
- Height
- at 36,300 ft
- Aircraft
- F2TH
- Wind
- from 255° at 90 knots
- Turbulence
- moderate clear-air turbulence at 36,300 ft
- B738 descending, 37 nm north, 7:55 am CDT (12:55 UTC): moderate turbulence from 16,000 ft to 20,000 ft. 758 nm along the route, 37 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV 40SW DEN/TM 1255/FLDURD/TP B738/TB MOD 200-160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40SW den
- Time
- 12:55 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate from 20,000 ft to 16,000 ft
- BE20 at 15,000 ft, 33 nm south, 9:45 am CDT (14:45 UTC): moderate turbulence, light icing, 0 °C, remarks: ice 150-125-ZDVWC-36. 917 nm along the route, 33 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK008025/TM 1445/FL150/TP BE20/SK TOP 160 BASE 115/TA 00/TB OCNL MOD/IC LGT MX/RM ICE 150-125-ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 25 nm north (008°) of RSK
- Time
- 14:45 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Sky
- top 16,000 ft base 11,500 ft
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate
- Icing
- light mixed
- Remarks
- ice 150-125-ZDVWC-36
- A321 at 19,000 ft, 30 nm northwest, 7:39 am CDT (12:39 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zlawc. 1216 nm along the route, 30 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CDC UA /OV PGS275017/TM 1239/FL190/TP A321/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through CDC
- Where
- 17 nm west (275°) of PGS
- Time
- 12:39 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- zlawc
- C510 at 17,000 ft, 14 nm northwest, 8:27 am CDT (13:27 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 14 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LNR UA /OV LNR/TM 1327/FL170/TP C510/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through LNR
- Where
- over LNR
- Time
- 13:27 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C510
- Turbulence
- none
- PC12 at 20,000 ft, 14 nm northwest, 8:27 am CDT (13:27 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 14 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LNR UA /OV 0WI4/TM 1327/FL200/TP PC12/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through LNR
- Where
- over 0WI4
- Time
- 13:27 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Turbulence
- none
16 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 14 forecast points nearest it (DBQ, MCW, DSM, OMA, GRI, GLD, DEN, PUB, ALS, FMN, BCE, PRC, BLH, ONT). 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 | 240° at 23 kt | +23 kt | 19 °C | 97 kt | 14 h 17 min | 10:20 pm PDT (05:20 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 240° at 27 kt | +26 kt | 16 °C | 94 kt | 14 h 45 min | 10:48 pm PDT (05:48 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +25 kt | 10 °C | 95 kt | 14 h 35 min | 10:38 pm PDT (05:38 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | +30 kt | 6 °C | 90 kt | 15 h 24 min | 11:27 pm PDT (06:27 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 35 kt | +34 kt | 2 °C | 86 kt | 16 h 07 min | 12:10 am PDT (07:10 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 39 kt | +38 kt | -2 °C | 82 kt | 16 h 54 min | 12:57 am PDT (07:57 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 43 kt | +41 kt | -6 °C | 79 kt | 17 h 33 min | 1:36 am PDT (08:36 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 45 kt | +44 kt | -9 °C | 76 kt | 18 h 14 min | 2:17 am PDT (09:17 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 57 kt | +56 kt | -21 °C | 64 kt | 21 h 39 min | 5:42 am PDT (12:42 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 71 kt | +71 kt | -30 °C | 49 kt | 28 h 17 min | 12:20 pm PDT (19:20 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 81 kt | +82 kt | -37 °C | 38 kt | 36 h 28 min | 8:31 pm PDT (03:31 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 81 kt | +82 kt | -47 °C | 38 kt | 36 h 28 min | 8:31 pm PDT (03:31 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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 | 250/26 | 240/32 19° | 250/35 11° | 260/37 5° | 270/35 -9° | 270/40 -21° | 270/43 -35° | 280/49 -37° | 280/58 -46° |
| MCW | used from 150 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 220/19 | 210/29 20° | 230/35 13° | 250/35 5° | 250/33 -9° | 260/44 -21° | 260/46 -33° | 270/58 -37° | 270/59 -46° |
| DSM | used from 199 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 230/34 | 230/32 20° | 220/33 12° | 240/35 5° | 250/39 -7° | 250/43 -21° | 280/61 -31° | 280/73 -37° | 280/67 -47° |
| OMA | used from 249 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 210/23 | 240/34 20° | 230/40 14° | 220/43 7° | 240/38 -8° | 250/47 -21° | 270/70 -29° | 270/79 -36° | 270/68 -48° |
| GRI | used from 349 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 270/26 19° | 230/33 13° | 230/39 8° | 230/43 -9° | 240/55 -21° | 250/76 -28° | 260/84 -36° | 260/68 -47° | |
| GLD | used from 499 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 240/22 | 250/24 13° | 250/39 6° | 230/42 -8° | 230/55 -21° | 240/87 -30° | 240/96 -36° | 250/93 -48° | |
| DEN | used from 648 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 230/7 11° | 230/13 4° | 230/40 -9° | 230/48 -20° | 240/66 -32° | 240/88 -38° | 230/100 -47° | ||
| PUB | used from 698 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 250/31 11° | 240/42 5° | 230/46 -7° | 230/59 -20° | 240/77 -30° | 230/94 -37° | 240/95 -49° | ||
| ALS | used from 798 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 230/34 2° | 230/57 -9° | 230/72 -19° | 230/82 -27° | 230/91 -36° | 240/89 -48° | |||
| FMN | used from 897 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 170/14 8° | 210/28 0° | 230/57 -10° | 220/74 -21° | 230/82 -30° | 230/95 -37° | 230/102 -47° | ||
| BCE | used from 1047 nm out; 93 nm from the line | 200/31 -2° | 190/46 -14° | 210/72 -24° | 210/87 -30° | 220/89 -38° | 220/78 -46° | |||
| PRC | used from 1097 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 200/38 5° | 200/44 -1° | 210/72 -11° | 220/78 -20° | 220/85 -29° | 230/99 -36° | 230/105 -47° | ||
| BLH | used from 1246 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 220/16 | 220/25 8° | 210/30 2° | 220/35 -2° | 210/54 -12° | 220/73 -20° | 220/90 -29° | 230/103 -37° | 230/105 -47° |
| ONT | used from 1346 nm out; 72 nm from the line | L/V | 210/13 3° | 220/24 0° | 220/31 -3° | 230/33 -14° | 240/35 -22° | 230/55 -31° | 230/67 -37° | 230/74 -45° |
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 Sky: scattered clouds at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 886 ft | 9:53 am CDT (14:53 UTC) |
| OLZ Oelwein, IA | 120 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,076 ft | 14:55 UTC |
| ALO Waterloo, IA | 140 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 873 ft | 14:54 UTC |
| OMA Omaha, NE | 309 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 984 ft | 14:52 UTC |
| GRI Grand Island, NE | 419 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,847 ft | 14:53 UTC |
| LIC Limon, CO | 688 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 5,374 ft | 14:55 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 738 nm out, 10 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,187 ft | 14:54 UTC |
| CEZ Cortez, CO | 947 nm out, 8 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 5,917 ft | 14:53 UTC |
| GCN Grand Canyon, AZ | 1137 nm out, 1 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: mist | from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots | 1.75 mi | 600 ft | 6,608 ft | 14:54 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 1266 nm out, 18 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 7,000 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 707 ft | 14:47 UTC |
| PSP Palm Springs, CA | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 476 ft | 7:53 am PDT (14:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,608 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PSP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:20 pm PDT (05:20 UTC)
Wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for PSP
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet
The forecast for MSN, the departure
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 9 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
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 11 nm from the route, 768 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 8 nm from the route, 1266 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at MSN 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC), at PSP 6:14 pm PDT (01:14 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:39 pm PDT (01:39 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at PSP is after sunset there (6:16 pm PDT (01:16 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: Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field, Palm Springs International.