Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain Airport to Wilmington International MSP → ILM
950 nautical miles (1,093 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 127°, about 127° magnetic at the departure end (variation 0E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 33 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 51-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:36 am EDT (14:36 UTC). Right now MSP is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots; ILM is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 10 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: 106 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 40 to 198 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist, fog). Over the route from 386 to 752 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 624 to 752 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 693 to 792 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Near the route, 772 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 41,000 ft. Over the last 79 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 MSP.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B739 at 35,000 ft, 43 nm southwest, 2:05 am CDT (07:05 UTC): no turbulence. 327 nm along the route, 43 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TIP UA /OV RBS010023/TM 0705/FL350/TP B739/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through TIP
- Where
- 23 nm north (010°) of RBS
- Time
- 07:05 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Turbulence
- none
- A21N at 33,000 ft, 49 nm northeast, 3:07 am CDT (08:07 UTC): light chop turbulence. 485 nm along the route, 49 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DAY UA /OV ROD/TM 0807/FL330/TP A21N/TB OCNL LT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through DAY
- Where
- over ROD
- Time
- 08:07 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- occasional lt chop
- B763 at 200 ft, 28 nm southwest, 3:05 am CDT (08:05 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: during the climb. 515 nm along the route, 28 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV CVG270001/TM 0805/FL002/TP B763/SK VV002/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 1 nm west (270°) of CVG
- Time
- 08:05 UTC
- Height
- at 200 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- sky obscured from 200 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B752 climbing, 31 nm southwest, 2:37 am CDT (07:37 UTC): overcast. 515 nm along the route, 31 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV 5 W CVG/TM 0737/FLDURC/TP B752/SK B001 OVC T015
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 5 west cvg
- Time
- 07:37 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B752
- Sky
- B001 overcast T015
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 10 forecast points nearest it (MSP, LSE, DBQ, JOT, FWA, CVG, CRW, ROA, RDU, ILM). 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 | 290° at 19 kt | −18 kt | 138 kt | 6 h 53 min | 11:56 am EDT (15:56 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 300° at 18 kt | −18 kt | 138 kt | 6 h 53 min | 11:56 am EDT (15:56 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 300° at 18 kt | −18 kt | 12 °C | 138 kt | 6 h 53 min | 11:56 am EDT (15:56 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 300° at 18 kt | −18 kt | 8 °C | 138 kt | 6 h 53 min | 11:56 am EDT (15:56 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 300° at 20 kt | −20 kt | 5 °C | 140 kt | 6 h 47 min | 11:50 am EDT (15:50 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 300° at 23 kt | −23 kt | 1 °C | 143 kt | 6 h 39 min | 11:42 am EDT (15:42 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 300° at 25 kt | −25 kt | -3 °C | 145 kt | 6 h 33 min | 11:36 am EDT (15:36 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 300° at 28 kt | −28 kt | -7 °C | 148 kt | 6 h 25 min | 11:28 am EDT (15:28 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 28 kt | −29 kt | -8 °C | 149 kt | 6 h 23 min | 11:26 am EDT (15:26 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 300° at 33 kt | −33 kt | -20 °C | 153 kt | 6 h 13 min | 11:16 am EDT (15:16 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 300° at 34 kt | −34 kt | -35 °C | 154 kt | 6 h 10 min | 11:13 am EDT (15:13 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 300° at 45 kt | −45 kt | -42 °C | 165 kt | 5 h 45 min | 10:48 am EDT (14:48 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 300° at 52 kt | −51 kt | -49 °C | 171 kt | 5 h 33 min | 10:36 am EDT (14:36 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 | 250/12 | 250/17 17° | 240/26 12° | 250/26 5° | 280/26 -9° | 280/32 -22° | 270/37 -38° | 280/47 -41° | 280/55 -48° |
| LSE | used from 49 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 250/25 | 240/21 17° | 240/28 11° | 250/28 5° | 280/24 -10° | 280/31 -21° | 260/35 -37° | 270/45 -43° | 280/59 -47° |
| DBQ | used from 148 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 250/27 | 260/23 17° | 240/26 10° | 260/30 4° | 280/26 -9° | 280/36 -21° | 270/41 -36° | 280/52 -41° | 290/67 -48° |
| JOT | used from 247 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 250/25 | 260/22 14° | 250/17 9° | 270/21 5° | 280/28 -8° | 280/36 -20° | 270/41 -35° | 280/57 -42° | 290/65 -50° |
| FWA | used from 346 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 270/20 | 300/16 15° | 290/14 10° | 280/17 3° | 290/25 -7° | 280/30 -19° | 280/34 -35° | 290/48 -44° | 300/64 -52° |
| CVG | used from 445 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 300/19 | 310/23 15° | 320/20 9° | 310/18 3° | 300/26 -6° | 290/36 -19° | 310/32 -34° | 310/53 -43° | 310/61 -51° |
| CRW | used from 594 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 320/17 | 340/23 12° | 340/32 8° | 340/35 4° | 330/40 -7° | 340/45 -20° | 340/57 -34° | 340/64 -42° | 320/38 -50° |
| ROA | used from 693 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 310/32 | 340/32 14° | 350/25 9° | 340/24 3° | 340/42 -8° | 340/52 -20° | 350/62 -34° | 350/64 -39° | 310/44 -48° |
| RDU | used from 792 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 330/30 | 340/24 12° | 330/26 7° | 320/30 3° | 330/39 -8° | 310/30 -20° | 300/33 -33° | 310/34 -39° | 310/41 -47° |
| ILM | used from 891 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 300/18 | 300/22 13° | 300/21 8° | 290/28 4° | 280/38 -7° | 270/40 -18° | 250/49 -32° | 250/50 -40° | 270/33 -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 18,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 18,000 ft | 841 ft | 3:53 am CDT (08:53 UTC) |
| ONA Winona, MN | 79 nm out, 2 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 656 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| LSE La Crosse, WI | 99 nm out, 6 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 655 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| DPA Chicago/West Chicago, IL | 277 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 758 ft | 08:52 UTC |
| MDW Chicago, IL | 307 nm out, 6 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 619 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| GUS Peru, IN | 406 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 810 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| LUK Cincinnati, OH | 525 nm out, 15 nm southwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 481 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| HTS Huntington, WV | 614 nm out, 13 nm northeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 828 ft | 08:51 UTC |
| HLX Galax Hillsville, VA | 742 nm out, 2 nm east of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,100 feet, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 2,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 13 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 2,693 ft | 06:15 UTC |
| GSO Greensboro, NC | 802 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,600 feet | from the west (270°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 925 ft | 08:54 UTC |
| FAY Fayetteville, NC | 881 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 189 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| ILM Wilmington, NC | destination | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 31 ft | 4:53 am EDT (08:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,693 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ILM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:36 am EDT (14:36 UTC)
Wind from the northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet VFR
The whole forecast for ILM
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for MSP, the departure
- From Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 5 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
- From Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 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
- 6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 20 nm from the route, 515 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID
- 6/8508 Johnsontown, NC 4 nm from the route, 911 nm along the route · security · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at MSP 6:33 pm CDT (23:33 UTC), at ILM 6:41 pm EDT (22:41 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm EDT (23:06 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: Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain Airport, Wilmington International.