Portland International to Northwest Arkansas Ntl Airport PDX → XNA
1,390 nautical miles (1,600 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 104°, about 088° magnetic at the departure end (variation 16E). At 120 knots that is 9 h 16 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 30-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:06 pm CDT (17:06 UTC). Right now PDX is VFR, wind variable at 3 knots; XNA is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 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 above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft, from 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 189 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft, from 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 99 to 228 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 139 to 735 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft, from 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 258 to 417 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft, from 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 298 to 725 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), from 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 308 to 417 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft, from 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 576 to 933 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 576 to 904 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), from 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 635 to 804 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots), from 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 635 to 715 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), from 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 467 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 PDX.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B38M at 30,000 ft, 38 nm northeast, 10:45 pm PDT (05:45 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 685 nm along the route, 38 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIW UA /OV BOY126080/TM 0545/FL300/TP B38M/TB CONS MOD CHOP /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIW
- Where
- 80 nm southeast (126°) of BOY
- Time
- 05:45 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate chop zlc
- B737 at 18,000 ft, 22 nm southwest, 12:24 am PDT (07:24 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: FL180-130. 824 nm along the route, 22 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN330050/TM 0724/FL180/TP B737/TB MOD/RM FL180-130
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 50 nm northwest (330°) of DEN
- Time
- 07:24 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- FL180-130
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 12 forecast points nearest it (PDX, RDM, BOI, PIH, LND, RKS, DEN, GLD, GCK, SLN, ICT, TUL). 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 | 230° at 18 kt | −6 kt | 3 °C | 126 kt | 11 h 02 min | 1:52 pm CDT (18:52 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 230° at 17 kt | −6 kt | 8 °C | 126 kt | 11 h 02 min | 1:52 pm CDT (18:52 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 240° at 15 kt | −7 kt | 5 °C | 127 kt | 10 h 57 min | 1:47 pm CDT (18:47 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 17 kt | −9 kt | 1 °C | 129 kt | 10 h 47 min | 1:37 pm CDT (18:37 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 240° at 19 kt | −10 kt | -3 °C | 130 kt | 10 h 42 min | 1:32 pm CDT (18:32 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 21 kt | −10 kt | -7 °C | 130 kt | 10 h 42 min | 1:32 pm CDT (18:32 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | −10 kt | -11 °C | 130 kt | 10 h 42 min | 1:32 pm CDT (18:32 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 24 kt | −10 kt | -12 °C | 130 kt | 10 h 42 min | 1:32 pm CDT (18:32 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 30 kt | −14 kt | -23 °C | 134 kt | 10 h 22 min | 1:12 pm CDT (18:12 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 42 kt | −25 kt | -31 °C | 145 kt | 9 h 35 min | 12:25 pm CDT (17:25 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 47 kt | −28 kt | -36 °C | 148 kt | 9 h 24 min | 12:14 pm CDT (17:14 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 46 kt | −30 kt | -44 °C | 150 kt | 9 h 16 min | 12:06 pm CDT (17:06 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° |
| RDM | used from 50 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 040/17 -1° | 030/31 -8° | 010/29 -12° | 010/61 -19° | 360/95 -25° | 360/82 -36° | 360/40 -37° | 310/19 -40° | |
| BOI | used from 199 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 300/7 2° | 280/5 -4° | 210/16 -9° | 210/60 -20° | 210/75 -29° | 210/63 -32° | 220/64 -32° | 220/54 -39° | |
| PIH | used from 397 nm out; 45 nm from the line | L/V | 240/13 1° | 240/15 -3° | 210/42 -15° | 200/70 -25° | 220/74 -29° | 220/71 -36° | 220/62 -43° | |
| LND | used from 546 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 200/23 6° | 220/31 1° | 220/39 -11° | 230/39 -23° | 220/51 -28° | 220/66 -37° | 230/68 -45° | ||
| RKS | used from 645 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 200/41 | 220/44 1° | 220/35 -11° | 220/46 -24° | 210/53 -27° | 220/62 -35° | 230/61 -44° | ||
| DEN | used from 745 nm out; 103 nm from the line | 240/21 14° | 250/44 6° | 220/49 -8° | 220/49 -21° | 230/54 -30° | 240/57 -35° | 240/49 -45° | ||
| GLD | used from 894 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 230/49 | 230/42 15° | 220/26 8° | 240/18 -7° | 230/27 -21° | 240/62 -30° | 240/61 -35° | 250/57 -47° | |
| GCK | used from 1043 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 220/48 21° | 230/37 14° | 250/30 8° | 230/37 -6° | 240/37 -20° | 240/69 -28° | 250/67 -37° | 260/58 -48° | |
| SLN | used from 1092 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 210/53 | 230/41 20° | 240/26 14° | 230/16 8° | 240/25 -7° | 240/35 -19° | 250/61 -30° | 260/65 -38° | 260/56 -49° |
| ICT | used from 1192 nm out; 9 nm from the line | 200/48 | 230/39 19° | 240/24 14° | 240/20 8° | 240/22 -6° | 250/31 -18° | 250/61 -29° | 260/58 -38° | 270/54 -49° |
| TUL | used from 1291 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 210/37 | 240/29 17° | 260/15 14° | 260/11 7° | 240/22 -6° | 250/29 -16° | 270/45 -29° | 270/47 -40° | 280/44 -50° |
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 | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 30 ft | 11:53 pm PDT (06:53 UTC) |
| CZK Cascade Locks, OR | 30 nm out, 13 nm north of the line | no report just now | 151 ft | ||||
| BKE Baker City, OR | 209 nm out, 10 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,800 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 3,373 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| SUN Hailey, ID | 377 nm out, 18 nm southwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 6 knots | 7 mi | 400 ft | 5,319 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| IDA Idaho Falls, ID | 467 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,800 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,800 ft | 4,743 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| BPI Big Piney, WY | 566 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 11,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 6,993 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| CYS Cheyenne, WY | 814 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 21 knots, gusting to 31 | 10+ mi | none | 6,159 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| AKO Akron, CO | 913 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 16 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | none | 4,716 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| CBK Colby, KS | 1023 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 3,188 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| BEC Wichita, KS | 1231 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 1,408 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| GMJ Grove, OK | 1360 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 831 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| XNA Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers, AR | destination | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,288 ft | 1:53 am CDT (06:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,993 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At XNA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:06 pm CDT (17:06 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for XNA
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 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 XNA 6:45 pm CDT (23:45 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:11 pm CDT (00:11 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, Northwest Arkansas Ntl Airport.
