Plan a flight · Mon 5:44 am EDT (09:44 UTC)

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 24 min at the quickest height in today's winds (6,500 ft, a 18-knot headwind), arriving about 1:08 pm CDT (18:08 UTC). Right now ORF is marginal VFR, wind from the west (260°) at 9 knots, gusting to 17; DSM is VFR, wind from the south (190°) 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

SIGMET E31E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, until 6:55 am EDT (10:55 UTC). Near the route, 60 nm along the route.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 120855
MKCE WST 120855
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 31E
VALID UNTIL 1055Z
MD VA DC
FROM 20NNE DCA-30WSW SBY-RIC-CSN-20NNE DCA
AREA TS MOV LTL. TOPS TO FL300.

AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 41,000 ft. Over the first 60 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, fog). Over the route from 20 to 538 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 110 to 229 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 179 to 289 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 last 140 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

B738 at 1,200 ft, 0 nm south, 5:07 am EDT (09:07 UTC): overcast from 1,200 ft to 3,000 ft; scattered clouds above 8,500 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ORF UA /OV ORF/TM 0907/FL012/TP B738/SK OVC012-TOP030/SCT085/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ORF
Where
over ORF
Time
09:07 UTC
Height
at 1,200 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
overcast from 1,200 ft, tops 3,000 ft; scattered clouds from 8,500 ft
Remarks
during the climb
B738 at 33,000 ft, 14 nm northeast, 4:44 am EDT (08:44 UTC): -39 °C, wind 350° at 65 knots, remarks: produced by skypath. 209 nm along the route, 14 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EKN UA /OV EKN188027 /TM 0844 /FL330 /TP B738 /TA M39 /WV 35065KT /TB MOD-CONS /RM PRODUCED BY SKYPATH
```
Report
a routine report filed through EKN
Where
27 nm south (188°) of EKN
Time
08:44 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Temperature
−39 °C
Wind
from 350° at 65 knots
Turbulence
mod-cons
Remarks
produced by skypath
B763 at 100 ft, 31 nm southwest, 5:05 am EDT (09:05 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: during the climb. 419 nm along the route, 31 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CVG UA /OV CVG270001/TM 0905/FL001/TP B763/SK VV001/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through CVG
Where
1 nm west (270°) of CVG
Time
09:05 UTC
Height
at 100 ft
Aircraft
B763
Sky
sky obscured from 100 ft
Remarks
during the climb
B763 at 200 ft, 31 nm southwest, 4:05 am EDT (08:05 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: during the climb. 419 nm along the route, 31 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, 33 nm south, 3:37 am EDT (07:37 UTC): overcast. 428 nm along the route, 33 nm south 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
B739 at 35,000 ft, 33 nm northeast, 3:05 am EDT (07:05 UTC): no turbulence. 608 nm along the route, 33 nm northeast 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

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 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	300° at 20 kt	+20 kt	10 °C	100 kt	8 h 34 min	1:18 pm CDT (18:18 UTC)
6,500 ft	310° at 19 kt	+18 kt	13 °C	102 kt	8 h 24 min	1:08 pm CDT (18:08 UTC)
8,500 ft	310° at 18 kt	+18 kt	10 °C	102 kt	8 h 24 min	1:08 pm CDT (18:08 UTC)
10,500 ft	310° at 19 kt	+19 kt	6 °C	101 kt	8 h 29 min	1:13 pm CDT (18:13 UTC)
12,500 ft	310° at 21 kt	+21 kt	3 °C	99 kt	8 h 39 min	1:23 pm CDT (18:23 UTC)
14,500 ft	310° at 24 kt	+23 kt	-1 °C	97 kt	8 h 50 min	1:34 pm CDT (18:34 UTC)
16,500 ft	310° at 26 kt	+26 kt	-5 °C	94 kt	9 h 07 min	1:51 pm CDT (18:51 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	310° at 29 kt	+28 kt	-7 °C	92 kt	9 h 19 min	2:03 pm CDT (19:03 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	300° at 33 kt	+33 kt	-20 °C	87 kt	9 h 51 min	2:35 pm CDT (19:35 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	300° at 39 kt	+39 kt	-34 °C	81 kt	10 h 35 min	3:19 pm CDT (20:19 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	300° at 49 kt	+49 kt	-41 °C	71 kt	12 h 04 min	4:48 pm CDT (21:48 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	300° at 51 kt	+50 kt	-49 °C	70 kt	12 h 15 min	4:59 pm CDT (21:59 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
ORF	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	310/30	320/27 11°	310/30 8°	320/30 3°	290/36 -8°	270/40 -21°	250/52 -32°	250/50 -39°	260/42 -48°
RIC	used from 50 nm out; 16 nm from the line	350/34	340/27 12°	340/36 8°	330/31 3°	310/32 -9°	320/34 -21°	300/37 -34°	290/37 -39°	290/42 -46°
ROA	used from 149 nm out; 47 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°
EKN	used from 199 nm out; 45 nm from the line		330/20 10°	350/29 7°	340/32 2°	340/44 -8°	350/50 -21°	350/63 -35°	340/69 -40°	330/42 -50°
CRW	used from 249 nm out; 17 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°
CMH	used from 349 nm out; 54 nm from the line	320/12	340/26 15°	340/22 9°	320/24 3°	320/32 -7°	320/36 -20°	330/42 -35°	320/59 -44°	320/57 -50°
CVG	used from 399 nm out; 29 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°
IND	used from 448 nm out; 34 nm from the line	270/22	290/19 15°	270/19 8°	270/18 4°	290/28 -7°	280/35 -20°	270/37 -34°	300/51 -42°	300/61 -51°
SPI	used from 598 nm out; 62 nm from the line	260/28	250/22 15°	250/14 9°	260/20 6°	280/27 -7°	280/34 -19°	280/48 -32°	280/59 -41°	300/60 -49°
BRL	used from 698 nm out; 20 nm from the line	250/32	250/19 17°	260/15 11°	270/16 3°	290/23 -7°	260/42 -20°	270/52 -34°	280/63 -39°	290/64 -48°
DSM	used from 797 nm out; 35 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°

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	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet	from the west (260°) at 9 knots, gusting to 17	10+ mi	1,400 ft	26 ft	5:02 am EDT (09:02 UTC)
PHF Newport News, VA	20 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 1,800 feet	from the west-northwest (290°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	1,200 ft	42 ft	08:54 UTC
FVX Farmville, VA	110 nm out, 18 nm south of the line	low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 200 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet Weather: fog	calm	0.5 mi	200 ft	415 ft	09:35 UTC
HSP Hot Springs, VA	179 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line	reported, no category	from the west (280°) at 18 knots, gusting to 22	0.25 mi	none	3,792 ft	06:15 UTC
CRW Charleston, WV	269 nm out, 17 nm southwest of the line, tower	IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the west-northwest (300°) at 7 knots, gusting to 16	1 mi	800 ft	947 ft	09:14 UTC
ILN Wilmington, OH	389 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower	IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet	from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots	9 mi	600 ft	1,076 ft	08:54 UTC
IND Indianapolis, IN	508 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 400 feet Weather: mist	from the southwest (220°) at 3 knots	3 mi	none	796 ft	08:54 UTC
LAF Lafayette, IN	548 nm out, 17 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	605 ft	08:54 UTC
PIA Peoria, IL	668 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	660 ft	08:54 UTC
GBG Galesburg, IL	708 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	764 ft	09:35 UTC
PEA Pella, IA	827 nm out, 3 nm east of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	885 ft	09:35 UTC
DSM Des Moines, IA	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south (190°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	957 ft	3:54 am CDT (08:54 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, 1:08 pm CDT (18:08 UTC)

Wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 19, 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

Radar now, the Southeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the Northeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · 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: Norfolk International, Des Moines International.