Missoula Montana Airport to Grand Forks International MSO → GFK
688 nautical miles (792 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 079°, about 066° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 56 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 55-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:32 pm CDT (19:32 UTC). Right now MSO is VFR, wind calm; GFK is low IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 12 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: 2 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 C22C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 37,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 10:55 am MDT (16:55 UTC). Near the route, 629 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 121455 MKCC WST 121455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 22C VALID UNTIL 1655Z SD ND FROM 60W GFK-30WNW FAR-40NNE PIR-50NNE DPR-30NNW BIS-60W GFK AREA TS MOV FROM 21040KT. TOPS TO FL370.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 449 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 100 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 200 nm of the route.
- 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 last 648 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 229 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 MSO.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C25B at 11,000 ft, 1 nm southeast, 8:13 am MDT (14:13 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 1 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 1413/FL110/TP C25B/SK TOP 110
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSO
- Where
- over MSO
- Time
- 14:13 UTC
- Height
- at 11,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25B
- Sky
- top 11,000 ft
- BE9L at 7,500 ft, 42 nm south, 6:45 am MDT (12:45 UTC): no turbulence, light rime icing, overcast from 7,500 ft to 9,000 ft, -6 °C, remarks: during the climb. 90 nm along the route, 42 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
HLN UA /OV HLN120010/TM 1245/FL075/TP BE9L/SK OVC075-TOPS090/TA M06/TB NEG/IC LGT RIME/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through HLN
- Where
- 10 nm southeast (120°) of HLN
- Time
- 12:45 UTC
- Height
- at 7,500 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Sky
- overcast from 7,500 ft, tops 9,000 ft
- Temperature
- −6 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the climb
- DC3T at 8,500 ft, 12 nm north, 8:03 am MDT (14:03 UTC): light to moderate rime icing above 8,000 ft, -8 °C. 110 nm along the route, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
GTF UA /OV 300025/TM 1403/FL085/TP DC3T/TA M8/IC LGT-MOD RIME 080
- Report
- a routine report filed through GTF
- Where
- wind from 300° at 25 knots
- Time
- 14:03 UTC
- Height
- at 8,500 ft
- Aircraft
- DC3T
- Temperature
- −8 °C
- Icing
- light to moderate rime at 8,000 ft
- A319 at 7,500 ft, 12 nm north, 7:41 am MDT (13:41 UTC): overcast from 30,000 ft to 7,500 ft. 110 nm along the route, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
GTF UA /OV 180010/TM 1341/FL075/TP A319/SK OVC003-TOPS075
- Report
- a routine report filed through GTF
- Where
- wind from 180° at 10 knots
- Time
- 13:41 UTC
- Height
- at 7,500 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- overcast from 300 ft, tops 7,500 ft
- P212 at 8,000 ft, 46 nm north, 8:45 am MDT (14:45 UTC): no turbulence, light icing, -5 °C. 210 nm along the route, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
HVR UA /OV HVR110030/TM 1445/FL080/TP P212/TA M5/TB NEG/IC LGT CLR /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through HVR
- Where
- 30 nm east (110°) of HVR
- Time
- 14:45 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- P212
- Temperature
- −5 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- light clear zlc
- C340 at 6,000 ft, 20 nm south, 8:55 am MDT (14:55 UTC): no turbulence, light icing, -2 °C. 369 nm along the route, 20 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
SDY UA /OV SDY240043/TM 1455/FL060/TP C340/TA M02/TB NEG/IC LGT CLR/ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through SDY
- Where
- 43 nm southwest (240°) of SDY
- Time
- 14:55 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C340
- Temperature
- −2 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- light clr/zlc
- UNKN , 8 nm southwest, 9:10 am MDT (15:10 UTC): no icing. 409 nm along the route, 8 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SDY UA /OV SDY/TM 1510/FLUNKN/TP UNKN/SK BASE027 TOP057/IC NEG/ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through SDY
- Where
- over SDY
- Time
- 15:10 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- UNKN
- Sky
- BASE027 TOP057
- Icing
- neg/zlc
- B38M at 34,000 ft, 5 nm south, 8:49 am MDT (14:49 UTC): no turbulence. 549 nm along the route, 5 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MOT UA /OV MOT120035/TM 1449/FL340/TP B38M/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through MOT
- Where
- 35 nm southeast (120°) of MOT
- Time
- 14:49 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- none
- PA44 descending, 1 nm south, 9:23 am MDT (15:23 UTC): no icing, overcast from 1,000 ft to 3,900 ft, remarks: during the descent rnav 35L visibility reported 1/2SM. At the destination end, 1 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
GFK UA /OV KGFK175001/TM 1523/FLUNKN/TP PA44/SK OVC010-TOP039/WX FV00SM/IC NEG/RM DURD RNAV 35L VIS REPORTED 1/2SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through GFK
- Where
- 1 nm south (175°) of KGFK
- Time
- 15:23 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- PA44
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft, tops 3,900 ft
- Weather
- flight visibility 0 miles
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent rnav 35L visibility reported 1/2SM
- PC12 at 1,300 ft, 1 nm north, 8:55 am MDT (14:55 UTC): overcast above 1,200 ft, remarks: ceiling indefinite between from 1,100 ft to 1,200 ft. At the destination end, 1 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
GFK UA /OV KGFK360001/TM 1455/FL013/TP PC12/SK OVC012-TOPUNKN/RM CEILING INDEFINITE BTWN 011-012
- Report
- a routine report filed through GFK
- Where
- 1 nm north (360°) of KGFK
- Time
- 14:55 UTC
- Height
- at 1,300 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- overcast from 1,200 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- ceiling indefinite between from 1,100 ft to 1,200 ft
- PA44 climbing, 1 nm north, 8:07 am MDT (14:07 UTC): overcast above 1,100 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 1 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
GFK UA /OV KGFK360001/TM 1407/FLUNKN/TP PA44/SK OVC011-TOPUNKN/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GFK
- Where
- 1 nm north (360°) of KGFK
- Time
- 14:07 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- PA44
- Sky
- overcast from 1,100 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the climb
- P28A at 5,000 ft, 3 nm northeast, 7:27 am MDT (13:27 UTC): no icing, overcast above 1,000 ft, 5 °C, remarks: during the climb indefinite ceiling visibility 1/2SM. At the destination end, 3 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
GFK UA /OV GFK030003/TM 1327/FL050/TP P28A/SK OVC010/WX FV00SM/TA 05/IC NEG/RM DURC INDEFINITE CEILING VIS 1/2SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through GFK
- Where
- 3 nm northeast (030°) of GFK
- Time
- 13:27 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- P28A
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft
- Weather
- flight visibility 0 miles
- Temperature
- 5 °C
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the climb indefinite ceiling visibility 1/2SM
- PRM1 at 5,000 ft, 5 nm east, 7:10 am MDT (13:10 UTC): no icing, overcast from 1,200 ft to 5,000 ft, 9 °C. At the destination end, 5 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
GFK UA /OV KGFK090005/TM 1310/FL050/TP PRM1/SK OVC012-TOP050/TA 09/IC NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through GFK
- Where
- 5 nm east (090°) of KGFK
- Time
- 13:10 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PRM1
- Sky
- overcast from 1,200 ft, tops 5,000 ft
- Temperature
- 9 °C
- Icing
- none
- P28A at 1,900 ft, 1 nm north, 6:38 am MDT (12:38 UTC): no icing, overcast above 1,200 ft, 5 °C. At the destination end, 1 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
GFK UA /OV KGFK360001/TM 1238/FL019/TP P28A/SK OVC012-TOPUNKN/TA 05/IC NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through GFK
- Where
- 1 nm north (360°) of KGFK
- Time
- 12:38 UTC
- Height
- at 1,900 ft
- Aircraft
- P28A
- Sky
- overcast from 1,200 ft, tops unknown
- Temperature
- 5 °C
- Icing
- none
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 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 6 forecast points nearest it (GPI, GTF, GGW, DIK, MOT, GFK). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 010° at 2 kt | +1 kt | -1 °C | 119 kt | 5 h 47 min | 4:23 pm CDT (21:23 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 230° at 2 kt | −2 kt | 0 °C | 122 kt | 5 h 38 min | 4:14 pm CDT (21:14 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 8 kt | −5 kt | -1 °C | 125 kt | 5 h 30 min | 4:06 pm CDT (21:06 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 15 kt | −12 kt | -2 °C | 132 kt | 5 h 13 min | 3:49 pm CDT (20:49 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 19 kt | −15 kt | -5 °C | 135 kt | 5 h 06 min | 3:42 pm CDT (20:42 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 22 kt | −18 kt | -9 °C | 138 kt | 4 h 59 min | 3:35 pm CDT (20:35 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | −21 kt | -12 °C | 141 kt | 4 h 53 min | 3:29 pm CDT (20:29 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 26 kt | −21 kt | -13 °C | 141 kt | 4 h 53 min | 3:29 pm CDT (20:29 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 28 kt | −21 kt | -26 °C | 141 kt | 4 h 53 min | 3:29 pm CDT (20:29 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 43 kt | −30 kt | -36 °C | 150 kt | 4 h 35 min | 3:11 pm CDT (20:11 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 55 kt | −43 kt | -39 °C | 163 kt | 4 h 13 min | 2:49 pm CDT (19:49 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 60 kt | −55 kt | -44 °C | 175 kt | 3 h 56 min | 2:32 pm CDT (19:32 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPI | used from 0 nm out; 85 nm from the line | L/V -3° | L/V -4° | L/V -6° | 210/19 -17° | 220/26 -32° | 190/23 -40° | 220/25 -39° | 220/34 -42° | |
| GTF | used from 50 nm out; 43 nm from the line | L/V | L/V -4° | 230/12 -3° | 210/12 -17° | 190/23 -29° | 200/48 -39° | 210/69 -39° | 220/66 -42° | |
| GGW | used from 200 nm out; 92 nm from the line | 360/9 -3° | L/V -4° | 250/12 -4° | 250/21 -12° | 230/25 -27° | 220/53 -34° | 230/59 -38° | 240/64 -44° | |
| DIK | used from 399 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 330/11 1° | 230/20 4° | 220/22 0° | 230/29 -12° | 240/27 -25° | 240/40 -34° | 230/49 -37° | 240/55 -44° | |
| MOT | used from 449 nm out; 54 nm from the line | L/V 2° | 220/12 2° | 220/27 0° | 220/36 -12° | 230/33 -24° | 230/39 -34° | 230/50 -39° | 250/63 -46° | |
| GFK | used from 599 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 100/10 | 150/9 10° | 200/19 7° | 230/27 1° | 240/51 -11° | 230/43 -23° | 230/40 -36° | 240/56 -40° | 260/67 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSO Missoula, MT | departure | VFR Sky: overcast at 6,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 3,205 ft | 8:53 am MDT (14:53 UTC) |
| GTF Great Falls, MT | 120 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 300 feet Weather: freezing fog | from the northwest (310°) at 4 knots | 0.25 mi | 300 ft | 3,680 ft | 15:08 UTC |
| LWT Lewistown, MT | 190 nm out, 24 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,170 ft | ||||
| JDN Jordan, MT | 289 nm out, 20 nm south of the line | reported, no category | from the northwest (310°) at 9 knots | none | 2,667 ft | 14:48 UTC | |
| SDY Sidney, MT | 409 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (010°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 1,985 ft | 14:56 UTC |
| XWA Williston, ND | 429 nm out, 25 nm north of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 900 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the northeast (040°) at 8 knots | 3 mi | 600 ft | 2,356 ft | 14:51 UTC |
| MOT Minot, ND | 529 nm out, 20 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 1,000 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the north-northwest (340°) at 7 knots | 4 mi | 1,000 ft | 1,715 ft | 15:16 UTC |
| DVL Devils Lake, ND | 619 nm out, 10 nm north of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 1,469 ft | 14:56 UTC |
| GFK Grand Forks, ND | destination | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 400 feet Weather: fog | from the north-northeast (030°) at 12 knots | 0.25 mi | 400 ft | 845 ft | 9:53 am CDT (14:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,170 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At GFK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:32 pm CDT (19:32 UTC)
Wind from the north-northeast at 12 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, overcast at 700 feet IFR
The whole forecast for GFK
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 12 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, overcast at 700 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 600 feet
The forecast for MSO, the departure
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the east at 2 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm MDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 10,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8927 Kalispell, MT, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 through Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZSE
- 6/8923 Kalispell, MT, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 through Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLC
- 6/4348 GRAND FORKS AFB, ND, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local on the route, at the destination end · security · until 1 November · ZMP
Daylight
Sunset at MSO 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC), at GFK 6:46 pm CDT (23:46 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:17 pm CDT (00:17 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: Missoula Montana Airport, Grand Forks International.





