Missoula Montana Airport to General Mitchell International MSO → MKE
1,133 nautical miles (1,304 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 093°, about 080° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 38 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 51-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:33 am CDT (13:33 UTC). Right now MSO is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots; MKE is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 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
- 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 first 775 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the first 288 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 129 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 219 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 298 to 348 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Near the route, 358 nm along the route.
- 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 914 to 1063 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 MSO.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
No pilot reports within 50 nautical miles of the line in the last three hours.
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 12 forecast points nearest it (GPI, GTF, BIL, MLS, DIK, PIR, ABR, AXN, MSP, LSE, DBQ, GRB). 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 | 200° at 9 kt | 0 | 6 °C | 120 kt | 9 h 26 min | 11:21 am CDT (16:21 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 11 kt | −3 kt | 10 °C | 123 kt | 9 h 13 min | 11:08 am CDT (16:08 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 15 kt | −6 kt | 5 °C | 126 kt | 9 h | 10:55 am CDT (15:55 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 21 kt | −11 kt | 2 °C | 131 kt | 8 h 39 min | 10:34 am CDT (15:34 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | −15 kt | -2 °C | 135 kt | 8 h 24 min | 10:19 am CDT (15:19 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −18 kt | -6 °C | 138 kt | 8 h 13 min | 10:08 am CDT (15:08 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 29 kt | −21 kt | -10 °C | 141 kt | 8 h 02 min | 9:57 am CDT (14:57 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 30 kt | −22 kt | -11 °C | 142 kt | 7 h 59 min | 9:54 am CDT (14:54 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 33 kt | −24 kt | -22 °C | 144 kt | 7 h 52 min | 9:47 am CDT (14:47 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 39 kt | −26 kt | -37 °C | 146 kt | 7 h 46 min | 9:41 am CDT (14:41 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 49 kt | −39 kt | -42 °C | 159 kt | 7 h 08 min | 9:03 am CDT (14:03 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 59 kt | −51 kt | -48 °C | 171 kt | 6 h 38 min | 8:33 am CDT (13:33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPI | used from 0 nm out; 91 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° | |
| GTF | used from 50 nm out; 53 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° | |
| BIL | used from 199 nm out; 49 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° | |
| MLS | used from 298 nm out; 16 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° | |
| DIK | used from 398 nm out; 60 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° | |
| PIR | used from 547 nm out; 77 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° | |
| ABR | used from 596 nm out; 36 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° |
| AXN | used from 745 nm out; 63 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° |
| MSP | used from 795 nm out; 66 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° |
| LSE | used from 944 nm out; 8 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° |
| DBQ | used from 1044 nm out; 84 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° |
| GRB | used from 1093 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 250/36 | 270/23 16° | 270/14 9° | 240/18 4° | 280/26 -9° | 280/29 -20° | 290/42 -36° | 290/51 -45° | 290/72 -55° |
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: a few clouds at 200 feet, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 3,205 ft | 12:42 am MDT (06:42 UTC) |
| HLN Helena, MT | 89 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,100 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the west (270°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 3,877 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| HWQ Harlowton, MT | 179 nm out, 16 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,311 ft | ||||
| MLS Miles City, MT | 338 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 2,634 ft | 06:12 UTC |
| BWW Bowman, ND | 447 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the east (100°) at 10 knots | 6 mi | 400 ft | 2,965 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| LEM Lemmon, SD | 497 nm out, 2 nm east of the line | no report just now | 2,572 ft | ||||
| ABR Aberdeen, SD | 656 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 11 knots | 6 mi | 400 ft | 1,301 ft | 06:20 UTC |
| GDB Granite Falls, MN | 785 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 500 ft | 1,047 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| FBL Faribault, MN | 884 nm out, 1 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,060 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| LSE La Crosse, WI | 974 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 655 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| UES Waukesha, WI | 1113 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 911 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| MKE Milwaukee, WI | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 728 ft | 12:52 am CDT (05:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,311 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MKE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:33 am CDT (13:33 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MKE
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet
- From Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for MSO, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 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 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the east at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light snow, mist, overcast at 1,500 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
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at MSO 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC), at MKE 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 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, General Mitchell International.