Ontario International to Buffalo Niagara International ONT → BUF
1,884 nautical miles (2,168 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 062°, about 050° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 10 h 25 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 61-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ONT is marginal VFR, wind from the west (270°) at 9 knots; BUF is IFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) 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: 1 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 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the first 70 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 50 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 189 to 568 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 209 to 309 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 259 to 788 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 259 to 489 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Near the route, 309 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 508 to 698 nm out.
- 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 1027 to 1176 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). Over the last 20 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 ONT.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
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 16 forecast points nearest it (ONT, LAS, PRC, BCE, FMN, ALS, PUB, GLD, GRI, OMA, DSM, DBQ, JOT, MKG, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 250° at 21 kt | −22 kt | 15 °C | 142 kt | 13 h 16 min | 11:25 pm EDT (03:25 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 250° at 20 kt | −21 kt | 11 °C | 141 kt | 13 h 22 min | 11:31 pm EDT (03:31 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 240° at 20 kt | −21 kt | 8 °C | 141 kt | 13 h 22 min | 11:31 pm EDT (03:31 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 24 kt | −24 kt | 4 °C | 144 kt | 13 h 05 min | 11:14 pm EDT (03:14 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 240° at 26 kt | −27 kt | 0 °C | 147 kt | 12 h 49 min | 10:58 pm EDT (02:58 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 240° at 28 kt | −29 kt | -5 °C | 149 kt | 12 h 39 min | 10:48 pm EDT (02:48 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 31 kt | −32 kt | -9 °C | 152 kt | 12 h 24 min | 10:33 pm EDT (02:33 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 31 kt | −33 kt | -10 °C | 153 kt | 12 h 19 min | 10:28 pm EDT (02:28 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 41 kt | −43 kt | -21 °C | 163 kt | 11 h 33 min | 9:42 pm EDT (01:42 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 52 kt | −55 kt | -32 °C | 175 kt | 10 h 46 min | 8:55 pm EDT (00:55 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 58 kt | −61 kt | -39 °C | 181 kt | 10 h 25 min | 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 56 kt | −60 kt | -48 °C | 180 kt | 10 h 28 min | 8:37 pm EDT (00:37 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONT | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 250/11 | 200/20 4° | 210/27 3° | 220/26 -4° | 240/32 -13° | 220/52 -21° | 220/67 -30° | 220/72 -37° | 220/65 -46° |
| LAS | used from 100 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 210/20 8° | 210/29 4° | 200/32 -3° | 200/51 -15° | 210/64 -21° | 220/70 -30° | 220/66 -38° | 220/55 -44° | |
| PRC | used from 249 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| BCE | used from 299 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 200/32 -2° | 210/57 -15° | 220/71 -22° | 220/69 -30° | 220/64 -38° | 220/67 -44° | |||
| FMN | used from 399 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° | ||
| ALS | used from 548 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 240/35 3° | 230/54 -9° | 240/66 -19° | 230/85 -26° | 240/87 -34° | 240/70 -47° | |||
| PUB | used from 648 nm out; 31 nm from the line | 260/45 11° | 240/38 6° | 230/47 -8° | 230/51 -19° | 240/74 -29° | 240/82 -35° | 250/72 -48° | ||
| GLD | used from 748 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 260/37 | 260/25 14° | 250/27 8° | 230/36 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 250/71 -30° | 260/82 -36° | 250/73 -48° | |
| GRI | used from 897 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 230/39 23° | 230/32 15° | 210/29 7° | 230/31 -8° | 230/43 -21° | 250/52 -31° | 260/59 -35° | 260/59 -46° | |
| OMA | used from 1047 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 230/47 | 240/33 21° | 230/22 13° | 220/27 5° | 240/35 -8° | 250/43 -21° | 260/47 -33° | 260/59 -36° | 270/58 -46° |
| DSM | used from 1147 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 250/47 | 260/25 20° | 240/19 11° | 240/31 5° | 250/26 -9° | 260/38 -20° | 260/47 -34° | 270/58 -37° | 270/61 -47° |
| DBQ | used from 1296 nm out; 50 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 1396 nm out; 53 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° |
| MKG | used from 1495 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 260/28 | 260/18 15° | 250/16 9° | 260/22 4° | 280/31 -9° | 270/35 -21° | 270/44 -35° | 270/42 -45° | 290/61 -51° |
| CLE | used from 1645 nm out; 106 nm from the line | 310/7 | 350/20 14° | 340/16 9° | 320/21 2° | 320/32 -8° | 330/34 -20° | 330/45 -36° | 320/60 -45° | 320/64 -51° |
| BUF | used from 1795 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 300/11 | 330/15 11° | 340/26 8° | 330/28 2° | 340/31 -10° | 340/32 -21° | 340/52 -37° | 340/59 -46° | 330/66 -53° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONT Ontario, CA | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 2,700 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet | from the west (270°) at 9 knots | 9 mi | 2,700 ft | 944 ft | 6:53 am PDT (13:53 UTC) |
| SBD San Bernardino, CA | 20 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: rain | from the southwest (220°) at 3 knots | 3 mi | 700 ft | 1,159 ft | 14:00 UTC |
| GCN Grand Canyon, AZ | 289 nm out, 18 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,100 feet Weather: mist | from the south-southwest (210°) at 11 knots, gusting to 17 | 4 mi | 600 ft | 6,608 ft | 13:54 UTC |
| TEX Telluride, CO | 528 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,500 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 11 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 9,069 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 688 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | none | 6,187 ft | 13:54 UTC |
| OIN Oberlin, KS | 887 nm out, 2 nm south of the line | VFR | from the west (260°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,706 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| LNK Lincoln, NE | 1067 nm out, 8 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 1,218 ft | 13:54 UTC |
| DSM Des Moines, IA | 1216 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 20,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 957 ft | 13:54 UTC |
| PWK Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, IL | 1476 nm out, 4 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,500 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 644 ft | 13:52 UTC |
| PTK Pontiac, MI | 1675 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 18,000 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots | 9 mi | 25,000 ft | 980 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| CYQS St Thomas, | 1775 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 776 ft | ||||
| BUF Buffalo, NY | destination | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light drizzle | from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots | 9 mi | 900 ft | 726 ft | 9:54 am EDT (13:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 9,069 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, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for BUF
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Tue 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet
- 30% chance between Tue 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC) and 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
The forecast for ONT, the departure
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- At times between Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC) and 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 1,800 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 19 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZLA
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 1 nm from the route, 160 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 25 nm from the route, 160 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 20 nm from the route, 658 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
- 6/8992 Monroe, MI, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local 21 nm from the route, 1675 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Thursday 15 October · ZOB
Daylight
Sunset at ONT 6:18 pm PDT (01:18 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 after sunset there (6:37 pm EDT (22:37 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: Ontario International, Buffalo Niagara International.