Plan a flight · Sun 8:22 pm CDT (01:22 UTC)

Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain Airport to Buffalo Niagara International MSP → BUF

637 nautical miles (733 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 095°, about 095° magnetic at the departure end (variation 0E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 37 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 56-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:59 am EDT (04:59 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MSP is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots; BUF is VFR, wind from the east (090°) at 7 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: 277 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 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 468 to 477 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 10 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the destination end.
AIRMET ZULU 1C: moderate icing up to 24,000 ft. Near the route, at the destination end.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Near the route, at the destination end.

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 MSP.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

DH8D at 19,000 ft, 48 nm east, 6:35 pm CDT (23:35 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zob. At the destination end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 2335/FL190/TP DH8D/TB CONS MOD CHOP/RM ZOB
```
Report
a routine report filed through ROC
Where
over ROC
Time
23:35 UTC
Height
at 19,000 ft
Aircraft
DH8D
Turbulence
continuous moderate chop
Remarks
zob
E170 at 25,000 ft, 10 nm east, 5:37 pm CDT (22:37 UTC): moderate turbulence above 25,000 ft, remarks: zob. At the destination end, 10 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BUF UA /OV BUF120010/TM 2237/FL250/TP E170/TB MOD 250/RM ZOB
```
Report
a routine report filed through BUF
Where
10 nm southeast (120°) of BUF
Time
22:37 UTC
Height
at 25,000 ft
Aircraft
E170
Turbulence
moderate at 25,000 ft
Remarks
zob
B39M at 34,000 ft, 40 nm southwest, 6:25 pm CDT (23:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the departure end, 40 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MSP UA /OV MSP240040/TM 2325/FL340/TP B39M/TB LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through MSP
Where
40 nm southwest (240°) of MSP
Time
23:25 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Turbulence
light chop
A21N at 31,000 ft, 22 nm south, 7:39 pm CDT (00:39 UTC): light turbulence above 31,000 ft, remarks: zob. 368 nm along the route, 22 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MOP UA /OV MOP/TM 0039/FL310/TP A21N/TB CONS LGT 310/RM ZOB
```
Report
a routine report filed through MOP
Where
over MOP
Time
00:39 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
continuous light at 31,000 ft
Remarks
zob
A319 at 4,300 ft, 9 nm south, 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC): overcast above 4,300 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 9 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BUF UA /OV BUF270020/TM 2314/FL043/TP A319/SK OVC 043/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through BUF
Where
20 nm west (270°) of BUF
Time
23:14 UTC
Height
at 4,300 ft
Aircraft
A319
Sky
overcast from 4,300 ft
Remarks
during the descent
B738 at 4,700 ft, 10 nm southeast, 7:59 pm CDT (00:59 UTC): a broken layer from 4,700 ft to 5,300 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 10 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BUF UA /OV BUF140010/TM 0059/FL047/TP B738/SK BKN 047 TOPS 053/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through BUF
Where
10 nm southeast (140°) of BUF
Time
00:59 UTC
Height
at 4,700 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
a broken layer from 4,700 ft, tops 5,300 ft
Remarks
during the descent
B38M at 500 ft, 48 nm east, 6:52 pm CDT (23:52 UTC): a broken layer above 500 ft. At the destination end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 2352/FL005/TP B38M/SK BKN005-TOPUNKN
```
Report
a routine report filed through ROC
Where
over ROC
Time
23:52 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Sky
a broken layer from 500 ft, tops unknown
A21N at 30,000 ft, 27 nm south, 6:36 pm CDT (23:36 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zob. At the destination end, 27 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
JHW UA /OV JHW050025/TM 2336/FL300/TP A21N/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZOB
```
Report
a routine report filed through JHW
Where
25 nm northeast (050°) of JHW
Time
23:36 UTC
Height
at 30,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
light to moderate chop
Remarks
zob
B38M at 30,000 ft, 39 nm south, 5:54 pm CDT (22:54 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zob. At the destination end, 39 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
JHW UA /OV JHW080020/TM 2254/FL300/TP B38M/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZOB
```
Report
a routine report filed through JHW
Where
20 nm east (080°) of JHW
Time
22:54 UTC
Height
at 30,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
light to moderate chop
Remarks
zob

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 (MSP, LSE, GRB, TVC, CLE, BUF). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

Height	Average wind	Head- or tailwind	Temperature	Ground speed	Time en route	Arrival
3,500 ft	220° at 17 kt	−9 kt		129 kt	4 h 56 min	2:18 am EDT (06:18 UTC)
5,500 ft	250° at 14 kt	−13 kt		133 kt	4 h 47 min	2:09 am EDT (06:09 UTC)
7,500 ft	270° at 13 kt	−13 kt	12 °C	133 kt	4 h 47 min	2:09 am EDT (06:09 UTC)
9,500 ft	280° at 12 kt	−12 kt	8 °C	132 kt	4 h 50 min	2:12 am EDT (06:12 UTC)
11,500 ft	280° at 11 kt	−11 kt	4 °C	131 kt	4 h 52 min	2:14 am EDT (06:14 UTC)
13,500 ft	280° at 13 kt	−13 kt	0 °C	133 kt	4 h 47 min	2:09 am EDT (06:09 UTC)
15,500 ft	280° at 16 kt	−16 kt	-5 °C	136 kt	4 h 41 min	2:03 am EDT (06:03 UTC)
17,500 ft	280° at 18 kt	−18 kt	-9 °C	138 kt	4 h 37 min	1:59 am EDT (05:59 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	280° at 19 kt	−19 kt	-10 °C	139 kt	4 h 35 min	1:57 am EDT (05:57 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	290° at 26 kt	−25 kt	-21 °C	145 kt	4 h 24 min	1:46 am EDT (05:46 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	290° at 38 kt	−36 kt	-37 °C	156 kt	4 h 05 min	1:27 am EDT (05:27 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	290° at 42 kt	−41 kt	-45 °C	161 kt	3 h 57 min	1:19 am EDT (05:19 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	280° at 58 kt	−56 kt	-51 °C	176 kt	3 h 37 min	12:59 am EDT (04:59 UTC)

Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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
MSP	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	200/28	240/30 19°	240/24 12°	240/17 5°	270/24 -10°	270/33 -20°	280/48 -35°	290/55 -45°	280/84 -54°
LSE	used from 50 nm out; 53 nm from the line	220/33	250/29 17°	250/15 9°	260/12 6°	280/21 -9°	280/33 -20°	300/43 -36°	310/56 -45°	300/79 -53°
GRB	used from 149 nm out; 45 nm from the line	240/24	260/18 16°	270/20 11°	290/14 4°	280/24 -9°	300/34 -21°	310/51 -38°	310/54 -48°	300/71 -51°
TVC	used from 298 nm out; 38 nm from the line	210/17	290/14 15°	310/20 9°	310/18 2°	310/24 -11°	320/35 -22°	320/53 -39°	310/45 -49°	290/58 -51°
CLE	used from 448 nm out; 134 nm from the line	340/5	320/13 14°	300/12 8°	310/10 2°	310/14 -10°	340/14 -23°	320/27 -35°	260/28 -40°	250/36 -48°
BUF	used from 497 nm out; 114 nm from the line	170/19	L/V 10°	040/9 6°	220/8 2°	230/15 -11°	220/33 -22°	220/47 -35°	230/55 -41°	230/56 -50°

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
MSP Minneapolis, MN	departure	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet	from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	25,000 ft	841 ft	7:53 pm CDT (00:53 UTC)
LUM Menomonie, WI	60 nm out, 7 nm north of the line	VFR	from the east-southeast (120°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	895 ft	01:15 UTC
EAU Eau Claire, WI	70 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	913 ft	00:56 UTC
CWA Mosinee, WI	149 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	1,277 ft	00:50 UTC
GRB Green Bay, WI	219 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	695 ft	00:53 UTC
MBL Manistee, MI	298 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	621 ft	00:56 UTC
GDW Gladwin, MI	378 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	774 ft	01:15 UTC
MBS Saginaw, MI	398 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	668 ft	00:53 UTC
BAX Bad Axe, MI	448 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,300 feet	from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	1,300 ft	763 ft	01:15 UTC
CYSN St Catharines,	617 nm out, 10 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,000 feet	from the east (080°) at 6 knots	15 mi	5,000 ft	321 ft	01:00 UTC
BUF Buffalo, NY	destination	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet	from the east (090°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	5,000 ft	726 ft	8:54 pm EDT (00:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 1,277 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At BUF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:59 am EDT (04:59 UTC)

Wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,500 feet VFR

The whole forecast for BUF

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,000 feet
30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain, overcast at 1,500 feet
From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,500 feet
From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 300 feet
From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet

The forecast for MSP, the departure

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
From Mon 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/6656 ANOKA, MN, Monday, October 5, 2026 through Monday, October 19, 2026 Local 19 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 19 October · ZMP

Daylight

Sunset at MSP 6:33 pm CDT (23:33 UTC), at BUF 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm EDT (23:06 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at BUF is before sunrise there (7:24 am EDT (11:24 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

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the Northeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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: Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain Airport, Buffalo Niagara International.