Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field to Seattle-Tacoma International MSN → SEA
1,406 nautical miles (1,617 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 292°, about 295° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 11 h 10 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 6-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:22 am PDT (16:22 UTC). Right now MSN is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 8 knots; SEA is VFR, wind from the east (090°) at 6 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: 8 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 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 10 to 159 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 route from 299 to 1136 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 728 to 758 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 857 to 1156 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 947 to 1136 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 189 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
- A321 at 16,500 ft, 7 nm north, 10:25 pm CDT (03:25 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: during the climb. 219 nm along the route, 7 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSP UA /OV MSP235040/TM 0325/FL165/TP A321/TB CONS LGT /RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSP
- Where
- 40 nm southwest (235°) of MSP
- Time
- 03:25 UTC
- Height
- at 16,500 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- during the climb
- CL30 at 4,200 ft, 25 nm south, 10:16 pm CDT (03:16 UTC): no icing, overcast above 4,200 ft, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. 1067 nm along the route, 25 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 0316/FL042/TP CL30/SK OVC042/WX 2 1/2SM/IC NEG/RM DURD ILS RY 12
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSO
- Where
- over MSO
- Time
- 03:16 UTC
- Height
- at 4,200 ft
- Aircraft
- CL30
- Sky
- overcast from 4,200 ft
- Weather
- 2, 1/2SM
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent ils runway 12
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 14 forecast points nearest it (DBQ, LSE, MSP, AXN, ABR, PIR, DIK, MLS, BIL, GTF, GPI, GEG, YKM, SEA). 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 | 150° at 7 kt | −6 kt | 2 °C | 126 kt | 11 h 10 min | 9:22 am PDT (16:22 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 180° at 6 kt | −3 kt | 7 °C | 123 kt | 11 h 26 min | 9:38 am PDT (16:38 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 200° at 7 kt | 0 | 5 °C | 120 kt | 11 h 43 min | 9:55 am PDT (16:55 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 11 kt | +3 kt | 1 °C | 117 kt | 12 h 01 min | 10:13 am PDT (17:13 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 15 kt | +7 kt | -2 °C | 113 kt | 12 h 27 min | 10:39 am PDT (17:39 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 18 kt | +10 kt | -6 °C | 110 kt | 12 h 47 min | 10:59 am PDT (17:59 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 20 kt | +13 kt | -10 °C | 107 kt | 13 h 08 min | 11:20 am PDT (18:20 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 22 kt | +15 kt | -13 °C | 105 kt | 13 h 23 min | 11:35 am PDT (18:35 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 24 kt | +15 kt | -23 °C | 105 kt | 13 h 23 min | 11:35 am PDT (18:35 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 28 kt | +18 kt | -37 °C | 102 kt | 13 h 47 min | 11:59 am PDT (18:59 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 38 kt | +30 kt | -42 °C | 90 kt | 15 h 37 min | 1:49 pm PDT (20:49 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 48 kt | +40 kt | -46 °C | 80 kt | 17 h 34 min | 3:46 pm PDT (22:46 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBQ | used from 0 nm out; 65 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 50 nm out; 22 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 150 nm out; 43 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° |
| AXN | used from 249 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 100/14 | 250/21 14° | 240/24 12° | 240/31 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/40 -21° | 250/42 -36° | 260/48 -45° | 260/53 -50° |
| ABR | used from 349 nm out; 40 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 498 nm out; 93 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° | |
| DIK | used from 548 nm out; 53 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 648 nm out; 59 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 797 nm out; 65 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° | |
| GTF | used from 897 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 070/11 | 080/15 -7° | 110/19 -9° | 190/25 -14° | 200/34 -23° | 200/54 -39° | 220/66 -40° | 220/77 -44° | |
| GPI | used from 1047 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 070/19 -5° | 100/16 -7° | 080/10 -8° | 130/8 -19° | 170/37 -28° | 200/50 -40° | 210/43 -40° | 220/41 -42° | |
| GEG | used from 1146 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 080/16 -2° | 050/17 -7° | 080/9 -10° | 190/33 -21° | 180/31 -32° | L/V -35° | L/V -37° | 270/8 -40° | |
| YKM | used from 1296 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° |
| SEA | used from 1346 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 050/7 | 050/11 1° | 050/12 -5° | 030/31 -7° | 010/61 -15° | 010/69 -26° | 360/73 -40° | 360/62 -47° | 330/21 -43° |
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 | from the south-southwest (200°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 886 ft | 11:53 pm CDT (04:53 UTC) |
| LSE La Crosse, WI | 90 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 655 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| RST Rochester, MN | 150 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 12 knots | 9 mi | none | 1,317 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| GDB Granite Falls, MN | 289 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the west (280°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,047 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| MBG Mobridge, SD | 498 nm out, 12 nm south of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet Weather: mist | from the northeast (050°) at 9 knots | 3 mi | 900 ft | 1,716 ft | 04:52 UTC |
| BHK Baker, MT | 668 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet | from the east (090°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 2,980 ft | 04:51 UTC |
| MLS Miles City, MT | 728 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain | from the east-northeast (060°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 2,634 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| GTF Great Falls, MT | 967 nm out, 21 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the north (010°) at 11 knots | 1.75 mi | 800 ft | 3,680 ft | 05:04 UTC |
| MSO Missoula, MT | 1067 nm out, 24 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,600 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 3,205 ft | 05:07 UTC |
| GEG Spokane, WA | 1216 nm out, 11 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,385 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| MWH Moses Lake, WA | 1286 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 9,000 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 1,188 ft | 04:52 UTC |
| SEA Seattle, WA | destination | VFR | from the east (090°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 432 ft | 9:53 pm PDT (04:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 3,680 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SEA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:22 am PDT (16:22 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for SEA
- From Sun 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, patches of fog, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for MSN, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm CDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
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 MSN 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC), at SEA 6:27 pm PDT (01:27 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: Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field, Seattle-Tacoma International.