Plan a flight · Sun 8:05 pm CDT (01:05 UTC)

Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain Airport to Sacramento International MSP → SMF

1,316 nautical miles (1,514 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 264°, about 264° magnetic at the departure end (variation 0E). At 120 knots that is 11 h 09 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 2-knot headwind), arriving about 5:14 am PDT (12:14 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MSP is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots; SMF is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 9 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: 1,192 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 route from 309 to 837 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 429 to 1066 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 538 to 867 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 568 to 1017 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: 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 578 to 847 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 708 to 1156 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Near the route, 1236 nm along 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

BE9L at 21,000 ft, 48 nm south, 6:22 pm CDT (23:22 UTC): light chop turbulence above 21,000 ft, moderate icing above 21,000 ft, -21 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 548 nm along the route, 48 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DGW UA /OV IIP200020/TM 2322/FL210/TP BE9L/SK BASE 200/TA M21/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 210/IC MOD MIX 210/RM ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through DGW
Where
20 nm south (200°) of IIP
Time
23:22 UTC
Height
at 21,000 ft
Aircraft
BE9L
Sky
base 20,000 ft
Temperature
−21 °C
Turbulence
occasional light chop at 21,000 ft
Icing
moderate mix at 21,000 ft
Remarks
zdvwc
A339 at 16,000 ft, 29 nm southeast, 6:35 pm CDT (23:35 UTC): moderate chop turbulence up to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb zlc. 847 nm along the route, 29 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OGD UA /OV OGD063012/TM 2335/FL160/TP A339/TB MOD CHOP 160 BLO/RM DURC /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through OGD
Where
12 nm northeast (063°) of OGD
Time
23:35 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
A339
Turbulence
moderate chop at 16,000 ft below
Remarks
during the climb zlc
E75L at 14,500 ft, 31 nm south, 6:05 pm CDT (23:05 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 15,800 ft, heavy rain, remarks: during the climb zlc. 847 nm along the route, 31 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OGD UA /OV OGD086008/TM 2305/FL145/TP E75L/WX +RA/TB MOD 158 BLO/RM DURC /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through OGD
Where
8 nm east (086°) of OGD
Time
23:05 UTC
Height
at 14,500 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Weather
heavy rain
Turbulence
moderate at 15,800 ft below
Remarks
during the climb zlc
E75L at 12,500 ft, 39 nm south, 5:25 pm CDT (22:25 UTC): moderate turbulence. 847 nm along the route, 39 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HIF UA /OV HIF103005/TM 2225/FL125/TP E75L/TB MOD /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through HIF
Where
5 nm east (103°) of HIF
Time
22:25 UTC
Height
at 12,500 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
moderate zlc
B739 at 11,000 ft, 49 nm south, 5:40 pm CDT (22:40 UTC): moderate turbulence, no icing, -4 °C, wind 180° at 40 knots, remarks: during the descent. 867 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH240014/TM 2240/FL110/TP B739/TA M04/WV 180040/TB CONT MOD /IC NEG/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
14 nm southwest (240°) of TCH
Time
22:40 UTC
Height
at 11,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Temperature
−4 °C
Wind
from 180° at 40 knots
Turbulence
continuous moderate
Icing
none
Remarks
during the descent
B39M at 34,000 ft, 14 nm south, 6:25 pm CDT (23:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the departure end, 14 nm south 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
BE20 at 14,000 ft, 18 nm south, 7:20 pm CDT (00:20 UTC): light turbulence. 159 nm along the route, 18 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FSD UA /OV FSD340035/TM 0020/FL140/TP BE20/TB CONS LGT/ NEG 120
```
Report
a routine report filed through FSD
Where
35 nm north (340°) of FSD
Time
00:20 UTC
Height
at 14,000 ft
Aircraft
BE20
Turbulence
continuous light no at 12,000 ft
PC12 at 100 ft, 17 nm north, 5:34 pm CDT (22:34 UTC): no icing. 299 nm along the route, 17 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PIR UA /OV PIR/TM 2234/FL001/TP PC12/SK BASE030-TOP045/IC NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through PIR
Where
over PIR
Time
22:34 UTC
Height
at 100 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Sky
BASE030-TOP045
Icing
none
CRJ2 at 9,000 ft, 13 nm south, 7:35 pm CDT (00:35 UTC): light chop turbulence, vmc, remarks: occasional moderate turbulence at at 15,000 ft. 598 nm along the route, 13 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CPR UA /OV CPR215015/TM 0035/FL090/TP CRJ2/WX VMC/TB LGT CHOP/RM OCNL MOD TURB AT 150
```
Report
a routine report filed through CPR
Where
15 nm southwest (215°) of CPR
Time
00:35 UTC
Height
at 9,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ2
Weather
visual conditions
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
occasional moderate turbulence at at 15,000 ft
A320 at 33,000 ft, 24 nm south, 5:24 pm CDT (22:24 UTC): light to moderate turbulence. 728 nm along the route, 24 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RKS UA /OV OCS306029/TM 2224/FL330/TP A320/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through RKS
Where
29 nm northwest (306°) of OCS
Time
22:24 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate zlc
BCS1 at 12,500 ft, 37 nm south, 6:09 pm CDT (23:09 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb from 8,000 ft to 12,500 ft. 847 nm along the route, 37 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH350015/TM 2309/FL125/TP BCS1/TB LGT TO MOD TURB/RM DURC 080-125
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
15 nm north (350°) of TCH
Time
23:09 UTC
Height
at 12,500 ft
Aircraft
BCS1
Turbulence
light to moderate turbulence
Remarks
during the climb from 8,000 ft to 12,500 ft
CRJ7 at 12,000 ft, 49 nm south, 5:14 pm CDT (22:14 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: during the climb. 867 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH240014/TM 2214/FL120/TP CRJ7/TB LGT CHOP-SMOOTH ABV 120/IC NET/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
14 nm southwest (240°) of TCH
Time
22:14 UTC
Height
at 12,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ7
Turbulence
light chop-smooth above 12,000 ft
Icing
net
Remarks
during the climb

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 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 12 forecast points nearest it (MSP, AXN, FSD, ABR, PIR, RAP, LND, RKS, SLC, BAM, RNO, SAC). 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	200° at 4 kt	+2 kt	14 °C	118 kt	11 h 09 min	5:14 am PDT (12:14 UTC)
6,500 ft	210° at 8 kt	+5 kt	13 °C	115 kt	11 h 27 min	5:32 am PDT (12:32 UTC)
8,500 ft	210° at 18 kt	+12 kt	9 °C	108 kt	12 h 11 min	6:16 am PDT (13:16 UTC)
10,500 ft	210° at 25 kt	+19 kt	4 °C	101 kt	13 h 02 min	7:07 am PDT (14:07 UTC)
12,500 ft	220° at 32 kt	+25 kt	0 °C	95 kt	13 h 51 min	7:56 am PDT (14:56 UTC)
14,500 ft	220° at 34 kt	+28 kt	-4 °C	92 kt	14 h 18 min	8:23 am PDT (15:23 UTC)
16,500 ft	220° at 37 kt	+31 kt	-8 °C	89 kt	14 h 47 min	8:52 am PDT (15:52 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	220° at 39 kt	+34 kt	-12 °C	86 kt	15 h 18 min	9:23 am PDT (16:23 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	220° at 40 kt	+35 kt	-23 °C	85 kt	15 h 29 min	9:34 am PDT (16:34 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	230° at 48 kt	+45 kt	-32 °C	75 kt	17 h 33 min	11:38 am PDT (18:38 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	230° at 56 kt	+54 kt	-38 °C	66 kt	19 h 56 min	2:01 pm PDT (21:01 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	240° at 60 kt	+59 kt	-47 °C	61 kt	21 h 34 min	3:39 pm PDT (22:39 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°
AXN	used from 50 nm out; 71 nm from the line	L/V	220/23 17°	230/24 12°	240/25 5°	260/32 -11°	260/40 -21°	270/50 -35°	270/57 -45°	270/81 -55°
FSD	used from 100 nm out; 67 nm from the line	200/16	220/20 17°	240/26 13°	230/19 6°	240/25 -9°	240/28 -20°	250/39 -33°	250/44 -43°	260/63 -52°
ABR	used from 199 nm out; 66 nm from the line	030/24	220/5 16°	230/18 12°	230/32 5°	240/38 -10°	250/37 -20°	240/40 -35°	240/56 -44°	250/72 -52°
PIR	used from 249 nm out; 33 nm from the line		L/V 17°	230/13 12°	220/22 6°	250/31 -9°	250/34 -21°	240/50 -35°	230/61 -43°	240/62 -51°
RAP	used from 349 nm out; 55 nm from the line		120/15 12°	180/22 11°	220/26 5°	230/35 -9°	240/40 -22°	240/50 -37°	240/51 -41°	240/47 -47°
LND	used from 548 nm out; 110 nm from the line			180/33 10°	190/50 3°	210/59 -9°	200/50 -21°	190/41 -34°	230/55 -39°	240/65 -47°
RKS	used from 747 nm out; 74 nm from the line			190/43	210/65 3°	210/57 -9°	210/56 -21°	210/47 -33°	230/63 -37°	240/77 -46°
SLC	used from 797 nm out; 64 nm from the line		280/8	210/39 5°	210/52 -1°	200/50 -11°	200/56 -23°	220/61 -28°	230/73 -37°	230/73 -45°
BAM	used from 947 nm out; 99 nm from the line			270/8 4°	230/27 -4°	220/49 -18°	210/52 -26°	220/77 -29°	220/71 -33°	220/63 -43°
RNO	used from 1146 nm out; 48 nm from the line		320/7	260/13 1°	230/21 -7°	210/38 -17°	220/43 -26°	230/54 -29°	230/59 -32°	230/54 -41°
SAC	used from 1246 nm out; 47 nm from the line	270/5	L/V 5°	L/V -1°	240/11 -5°	250/22 -15°	270/25 -24°	260/31 -27°	240/39 -33°	240/39 -42°

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)
GYL Glencoe, MN	40 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	992 ft	00:55 UTC
HON Huron, SD	219 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the north (350°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	none	1,288 ft	23:55 UTC
PHP Philip, SD	359 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,100 feet	from the east-northeast (060°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	1,100 ft	2,209 ft	00:55 UTC
RAP Rapid City, SD	419 nm out, 23 nm northwest of the line, tower	IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet	from the northeast (050°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	900 ft	3,203 ft	00:52 UTC
CPR Casper, WY	588 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: overcast at 10,000 feet	from the northwest (310°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	10,000 ft	5,344 ft	00:53 UTC
EMM Kemmerer, WY	777 nm out, 16 nm south of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23	10+ mi	7,000 ft	7,288 ft	00:55 UTC
LGU Logan, UT	837 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,100 feet, a broken layer at 2,900 feet, overcast at 4,800 feet Weather: rain, mist	from the east (090°) at 3 knots	6 mi	2,900 ft	4,456 ft	01:00 UTC
EKO Elko, NV	1017 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,400 feet, scattered clouds at 5,500 feet, scattered clouds at 7,500 feet	from the south (170°) at 14 knots, gusting to 17	10+ mi	none	5,139 ft	00:56 UTC
FLX Fallon, NV	1176 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line	no report just now				3,966 ft
TRK Truckee, CA	1236 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet	from the south-southwest (210°) at 15 knots	10+ mi	5,500 ft	5,904 ft	00:50 UTC
SMF Sacramento, CA	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south (190°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	26 ft	5:53 pm PDT (00:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 7,288 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At SMF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:14 am PDT (12:14 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for SMF

From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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
6/3475 BEALE AFB, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 11 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 1 November · ZOA
6/6740 SACRAMENTO, CA, Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local 7 nm from the route, at the destination end · air shows/sports · ended 11 October · ZOA

Daylight

Sunset at MSP 6:33 pm CDT (23:33 UTC), at SMF 6:32 pm PDT (01:32 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:59 pm PDT (01:59 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SMF is before sunrise there (7:12 am PDT (14:12 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 northern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Rockies · 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, Sacramento International.