Norfolk International to Des Moines International ORF → DSM
857 nautical miles (986 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 294°, about 303° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9W). At 120 knots that is 8 h 05 min at the quickest height in today's winds (12,500 ft, a 14-knot headwind), arriving about 9:02 am CDT (14:02 UTC). Right now ORF is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 13 knots, gusting to 22; DSM is VFR, wind from the south (170°) 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: 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 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 30 to 548 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 30 to 149 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 140 to 209 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 149 to 289 nm out.
- 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 last 120 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 ORF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- MD83 climbing, 42 nm north, 1:04 am EDT (05:04 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 359 nm along the route, 42 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV LCK/TM 0504/FLDURC/TP MD83/SK B010 T037
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over LCK
- Time
- 05:04 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- MD83
- Sky
- B010 T037
- B38M at 29,000 ft, 10 nm north, 12:52 am EDT (04:52 UTC): no turbulence from 23,000 ft to 29,000 ft. 598 nm along the route, 10 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TIP UA /OV RBS/TM 0452/FL290/TP B38M/TB NEG 230-290
- Report
- a routine report filed through TIP
- Where
- over RBS
- Time
- 04:52 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- no from 23,000 ft to 29,000 ft
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 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 11 forecast points nearest it (ORF, RIC, ROA, EKN, CRW, CMH, CVG, IND, SPI, BRL, DSM). 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 | 280° at 17 kt | +18 kt | 12 °C | 102 kt | 8 h 24 min | 9:21 am CDT (14:21 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 290° at 18 kt | +19 kt | 13 °C | 101 kt | 8 h 29 min | 9:26 am CDT (14:26 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 300° at 18 kt | +18 kt | 10 °C | 102 kt | 8 h 24 min | 9:21 am CDT (14:21 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 300° at 16 kt | +15 kt | 6 °C | 105 kt | 8 h 10 min | 9:07 am CDT (14:07 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 300° at 14 kt | +14 kt | 3 °C | 106 kt | 8 h 05 min | 9:02 am CDT (14:02 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 290° at 17 kt | +17 kt | -1 °C | 103 kt | 8 h 19 min | 9:16 am CDT (14:16 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 290° at 20 kt | +20 kt | -5 °C | 100 kt | 8 h 34 min | 9:31 am CDT (14:31 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 290° at 22 kt | +22 kt | -8 °C | 98 kt | 8 h 45 min | 9:42 am CDT (14:42 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 290° at 28 kt | +27 kt | -19 °C | 93 kt | 9 h 13 min | 10:10 am CDT (15:10 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 32 kt | +31 kt | -33 °C | 89 kt | 9 h 38 min | 10:35 am CDT (15:35 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 45 kt | +44 kt | -41 °C | 76 kt | 11 h 17 min | 12:14 pm CDT (17:14 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 45 kt | +44 kt | -50 °C | 76 kt | 11 h 17 min | 12:14 pm CDT (17:14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORF | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 250/24 | 230/32 11° | 220/37 10° | 220/37 6° | 230/47 -5° | 230/62 -17° | 220/89 -30° | 220/93 -40° | 230/77 -51° |
| RIC | used from 50 nm out; 16 nm from the line | 270/23 | 280/19 11° | 270/18 8° | 240/22 4° | 230/39 -7° | 220/55 -18° | 220/75 -30° | 230/83 -39° | 230/64 -50° |
| ROA | used from 149 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 310/29 | 330/31 13° | 340/28 7° | 330/25 3° | 310/32 -8° | 300/32 -22° | 290/32 -31° | 270/35 -38° | 270/32 -47° |
| EKN | used from 199 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 330/21 12° | 330/25 7° | 350/22 2° | 330/24 -10° | 310/27 -21° | 320/33 -35° | 290/31 -39° | 290/34 -47° | |
| CRW | used from 249 nm out; 17 nm from the line | 330/20 | 330/23 11° | 340/25 8° | 340/21 2° | 340/33 -9° | 340/41 -20° | 330/42 -35° | 320/44 -39° | 320/43 -47° |
| CMH | used from 349 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 330/15 | 340/22 14° | 340/24 9° | 340/23 4° | 340/35 -9° | 340/49 -20° | 340/58 -37° | 330/70 -42° | 340/55 -47° |
| CVG | used from 399 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 320/18 | 350/32 16° | 350/35 10° | 350/30 3° | 330/30 -7° | 340/44 -20° | 340/58 -35° | 330/72 -41° | 320/36 -49° |
| IND | used from 448 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 290/16 | 310/20 16° | 320/21 10° | 330/13 3° | 300/25 -7° | 320/32 -19° | 330/46 -34° | 320/61 -43° | 320/63 -50° |
| SPI | used from 598 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 220/21 | 250/23 16° | 260/27 9° | 270/14 6° | 270/23 -7° | 270/31 -19° | 270/28 -33° | 290/48 -42° | 300/55 -52° |
| BRL | used from 698 nm out; 20 nm from the line | 230/24 | 240/29 15° | 290/16 10° | 280/15 4° | 260/23 -7° | 260/32 -19° | 260/36 -33° | 280/48 -41° | 280/59 -52° |
| DSM | used from 797 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 230/40 | 250/33 17° | 250/18 12° | 240/17 5° | 260/28 -8° | 270/34 -19° | 260/41 -33° | 260/55 -41° | 270/62 -51° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORF Norfolk, VA | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,900 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 13 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 4,900 ft | 26 ft | 1:51 am EDT (05:51 UTC) |
| PHF Newport News, VA | 20 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,500 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 42 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| FVX Farmville, VA | 110 nm out, 18 nm south of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 3,200 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 415 ft | 05:35 UTC |
| HSP Hot Springs, VA | 179 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line | reported, no category | from the west (270°) at 10 knots | 0.25 mi | none | 3,792 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| CRW Charleston, WV | 269 nm out, 17 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots | 1 mi | 500 ft | 947 ft | 05:54 UTC |
| ILN Wilmington, OH | 389 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 1,076 ft | 05:54 UTC |
| IND Indianapolis, IN | 508 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (130°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 796 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| LAF Lafayette, IN | 548 nm out, 17 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 200 feet | calm | 9 mi | none | 605 ft | 05:35 UTC |
| PIA Peoria, IL | 668 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 660 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| GBG Galesburg, IL | 708 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 764 ft | 05:35 UTC |
| PEA Pella, IA | 827 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 885 ft | 05:35 UTC |
| DSM Des Moines, IA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 957 ft | 12:54 am CDT (05:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 3,792 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DSM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:02 am CDT (14:02 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for DSM
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Tue 12:00 am CDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for ORF, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 23 nm from the route, 419 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID
Daylight
Sunset at ORF 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC), at DSM 6:38 pm CDT (23:38 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm CDT (00:06 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: Norfolk International, Des Moines International.