Portland International to Chicago O'Hare International PDX → ORD
1,507 nautical miles (1,734 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 086°, about 070° magnetic at the departure end (variation 16E). At 120 knots that is 9 h 15 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 43-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:19 pm CDT (17:19 UTC). Right now PDX is VFR, wind calm; ORD is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) 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: 5,550 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 above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the route from 10 to 419 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 160 to 299 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 180 to 609 nm out.
- 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 260 to 1068 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 539 to 769 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 699 to 809 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 699 to 749 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 route from 1188 to 1437 nm out.
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 PDX.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E73L descending, 10 nm north, 11:20 pm PDT (06:20 UTC): remarks: breaking action good broke out about 600FT above ground. 479 nm along the route, 10 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0620/FLDURD/TP E73L/RM BREAKING ACTION GOOD. BROKE OUT ABOUT 600FT AGL
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 06:20 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E73L
- Remarks
- breaking action good broke out about 600FT above ground
- B737 , 10 nm north, 10:31 pm PDT (05:31 UTC): remarks: saw the light at 500FT braking good no icing. 479 nm along the route, 10 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0531/FLBURD/TP B737/RM SAW THE LIGHT AT 500FT. BRAKING GOOD. NEG ICING
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 05:31 UTC
- Height
- at BURD
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- saw the light at 500FT braking good no icing
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 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 14 forecast points nearest it (PDX, YKM, LWS, DLN, BIL, MLS, RAP, PIR, ABR, FSD, MCW, LSE, DBQ, JOT). 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 | 220° at 10 kt | −3 kt | 123 kt | 12 h 15 min | 3:19 pm CDT (20:19 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 200° at 9 kt | −1 kt | 11 °C | 121 kt | 12 h 27 min | 3:31 pm CDT (20:31 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 8 kt | −2 kt | 6 °C | 122 kt | 12 h 21 min | 3:25 pm CDT (20:25 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 10 kt | −4 kt | 3 °C | 124 kt | 12 h 09 min | 3:13 pm CDT (20:13 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 15 kt | −8 kt | 1 °C | 128 kt | 11 h 46 min | 2:50 pm CDT (19:50 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 17 kt | −10 kt | -3 °C | 130 kt | 11 h 36 min | 2:40 pm CDT (19:40 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 18 kt | −11 kt | -7 °C | 131 kt | 11 h 30 min | 2:34 pm CDT (19:34 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 19 kt | −12 kt | -11 °C | 132 kt | 11 h 25 min | 2:29 pm CDT (19:29 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 19 kt | −13 kt | -12 °C | 133 kt | 11 h 20 min | 2:24 pm CDT (19:24 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 22 kt | −15 kt | -23 °C | 135 kt | 11 h 10 min | 2:14 pm CDT (19:14 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 30 kt | −21 kt | -35 °C | 141 kt | 10 h 41 min | 1:45 pm CDT (18:45 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 40 kt | −35 kt | -40 °C | 155 kt | 9 h 43 min | 12:47 pm CDT (17:47 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 47 kt | −43 kt | -45 °C | 163 kt | 9 h 15 min | 12:19 pm CDT (17:19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDX | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | L/V | 030/7 1° | 020/12 -6° | 020/29 -9° | 010/69 -16° | 010/81 -25° | 360/83 -40° | 360/67 -46° | 320/29 -42° |
| YKM | used from 50 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 070/10 | 040/15 -1° | 020/27 -8° | 030/25 -13° | 020/48 -20° | 010/83 -27° | 010/77 -37° | 010/49 -40° | 350/14 -41° |
| LWS | used from 150 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 070/10 | 080/12 -2° | 030/12 -6° | 080/7 -10° | 170/34 -21° | 160/46 -32° | 200/33 -35° | 220/22 -35° | 230/18 -38° |
| DLN | used from 349 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 090/6 -6° | 240/22 -4° | 210/34 -16° | 210/62 -25° | 210/66 -34° | 210/82 -36° | 220/77 -42° | ||
| BIL | used from 499 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 080/13 | 180/9 -2° | 210/38 0° | 220/51 -11° | 210/46 -22° | 210/58 -35° | 230/73 -39° | 230/72 -45° | |
| MLS | used from 649 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 150/23 2° | 190/29 4° | 210/44 2° | 220/32 -10° | 210/36 -21° | 200/48 -37° | 230/63 -40° | 240/71 -47° | |
| RAP | used from 749 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 180/23 12° | 200/38 13° | 210/38 6° | 220/28 -10° | 230/34 -21° | 230/37 -36° | 250/52 -38° | 250/59 -46° | |
| PIR | used from 898 nm out; 26 nm from the line | 170/22 19° | 190/25 13° | 210/32 6° | 240/23 -9° | 250/32 -21° | 250/38 -36° | 260/44 -40° | 260/52 -47° | |
| ABR | used from 998 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 070/14 | 250/10 17° | 270/16 11° | 260/28 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/41 -22° | 270/33 -37° | 260/42 -42° | 260/50 -48° |
| FSD | used from 1048 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -47° |
| MCW | used from 1198 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/30 17° | 230/14 12° | 240/17 6° | 250/22 -8° | 270/29 -20° | 250/34 -34° | 260/52 -43° | 260/59 -51° |
| LSE | used from 1298 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 230/40 | 240/24 17° | 240/13 10° | 250/13 6° | 280/22 -9° | 250/28 -21° | 250/41 -34° | 260/42 -44° | 270/62 -53° |
| DBQ | used from 1348 nm out; 19 nm from the line | 230/33 | 250/30 16° | 280/15 9° | 260/15 5° | 260/21 -7° | 260/24 -20° | 250/37 -33° | 270/42 -43° | 280/63 -52° |
| JOT | used from 1447 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 15° | 250/16 10° | 240/9 4° | 280/22 -7° | 280/29 -19° | 300/29 -34° | 290/50 -43° | 300/64 -52° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDX Portland, OR | departure | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 30 ft | 12:53 am PDT (07:53 UTC) |
| DLS The Dalles, OR | 60 nm out, 2 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 10,000 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 246 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| PDT Pendleton, OR | 160 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 6,000 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 1,494 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| RVF Twin Bridges, MT | 429 nm out, 8 nm south of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,700 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 20 knots | 8 mi | 2,700 ft | 4,788 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| BZN Bozeman, MT | 479 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 4,600 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the south (180°) at 3 knots | 6 mi | 4,600 ft | 4,473 ft | 07:56 UTC |
| EFC Belle Fourche, SD | 789 nm out, 18 nm south of the line | no report just now | 3,190 ft | ||||
| PIR Pierre, SD | 948 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the northeast (050°) at 8 knots | 2 mi | 400 ft | 1,744 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | 1108 nm out, 23 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (020°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 07:56 UTC |
| CCY Charles City, IA | 1288 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 19,000 feet, a broken layer at 21,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 19,000 ft | 1,125 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL | 1457 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 742 ft | 07:54 UTC |
| ORD Chicago, IL | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 30,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 30,000 ft | 680 ft | 2:51 am CDT (07:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,788 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ORD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:19 pm CDT (17:19 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for ORD
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for PDX, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at PDX 6:28 pm PDT (01:28 UTC), at ORD 6:15 pm CDT (23:15 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:43 pm CDT (23:43 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: Portland International, Chicago O'Hare International.