Phoenix Sky Harbor International to Abilene Regional PHX → ABI
624 nautical miles (718 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 092°, about 080° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 38 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 52-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:24 am CDT (05:24 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now PHX is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 14 knots; ABI is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 15 knots, gusting to 23. 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: 116 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 4W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 7:55 pm MST (02:55 UTC). Over the first 10 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 4W VALID UNTIL 0255Z AZ FROM 60NE TBC-30S INW-100ESE BZA-70SE EED-50NW TBC-60NE TBC DMSHG AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 21020KT. TOPS TO FL280.
- SIGMET 2W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 36,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MST (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 79 to 327 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 2W VALID UNTIL 0255Z TX NM AZ FROM 50NNW SJN-60WNW CME-60E ELP-70SSW SSO-50SW TUS-50NNW SJN AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL360. HAIL TO 1 IN...WIND GUSTS TO 50KT POSS.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 0 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 69 to 307 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 109 to 238 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 178 to 287 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 PHX.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B738 at 17,000 ft, 29 nm north, 4:54 pm MST (23:54 UTC): light rime icing, 9 °C, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 29 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR330030/TM 2354/FL170/TP B738/TA 09/IC LGT RIME/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 30 nm northwest (330°) of PXR
- Time
- 23:54 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Temperature
- 9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent
- A320 at 14,000 ft, 49 nm north, 5:39 pm MST (00:39 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. At the departure end, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR005050/TM 0039/FL140/TP A320/TB LGT-MOD/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 50 nm north (005°) of PXR
- Time
- 00:39 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
- GLF4 at 45,000 ft, 6 nm north, 4:01 pm MST (23:01 UTC): light to moderate turbulence from 40,000 ft to 45,000 ft, remarks: south zab fdcs. 238 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TCS UA /OV TCS/TM 2301/FL450/TP GLF4/TB OCNL LGT-MOD 450-400/RM S - ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through TCS
- Where
- over TCS
- Time
- 23:01 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- occasional light to moderate from 45,000 ft to 40,000 ft
- Remarks
- south zab fdcs
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 7 forecast points nearest it (PHX, TUS, ELP, ROW, INK, LBB, ABI). 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 | 190° at 20 kt | −1 kt | 17 °C | 121 kt | 5 h 09 min | 1:55 am CDT (06:55 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 200° at 21 kt | −4 kt | 13 °C | 124 kt | 5 h 02 min | 1:48 am CDT (06:48 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 23 kt | −7 kt | 11 °C | 127 kt | 4 h 55 min | 1:41 am CDT (06:41 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 27 kt | −12 kt | 7 °C | 132 kt | 4 h 44 min | 1:30 am CDT (06:30 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | −16 kt | 3 °C | 136 kt | 4 h 35 min | 1:21 am CDT (06:21 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 34 kt | −20 kt | -1 °C | 140 kt | 4 h 27 min | 1:13 am CDT (06:13 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 37 kt | −23 kt | -5 °C | 143 kt | 4 h 22 min | 1:08 am CDT (06:08 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 38 kt | −24 kt | -6 °C | 144 kt | 4 h 20 min | 1:06 am CDT (06:06 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 50 kt | −37 kt | -17 °C | 157 kt | 3 h 58 min | 12:44 am CDT (05:44 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 62 kt | −45 kt | -27 °C | 165 kt | 3 h 47 min | 12:33 am CDT (05:33 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 62 kt | −52 kt | -37 °C | 172 kt | 3 h 38 min | 12:24 am CDT (05:24 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 56 kt | −51 kt | -49 °C | 171 kt | 3 h 39 min | 12:25 am CDT (05:25 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHX | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 210/19 | 210/20 14° | 200/20 6° | 210/40 1° | 220/58 -8° | 220/68 -20° | 220/82 -26° | 230/83 -34° | 230/69 -46° |
| TUS | used from 99 nm out; 101 nm from the line | 220/17 15° | 210/32 7° | 210/43 5° | 210/49 -7° | 220/64 -18° | 220/83 -26° | 230/81 -36° | 230/72 -48° | |
| ELP | used from 198 nm out; 104 nm from the line | 200/15 | 200/16 15° | 200/17 6° | 220/40 -6° | 240/53 -16° | 230/62 -27° | 240/63 -38° | 250/59 -49° | |
| ROW | used from 297 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 180/23 | 190/24 15° | 210/27 7° | 230/35 -6° | 240/53 -17° | 240/62 -27° | 250/64 -38° | 260/60 -50° | |
| INK | used from 446 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 160/27 20° | 190/18 13° | 240/19 7° | 250/23 -4° | 250/33 -15° | 230/45 -28° | 250/45 -39° | 270/49 -50° | |
| LBB | used from 495 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 180/26 20° | 210/21 13° | 230/21 7° | 250/25 -5° | 250/34 -16° | 250/52 -28° | 260/47 -38° | 260/49 -50° | |
| ABI | used from 545 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 180/26 17° | 220/18 12° | 230/25 8° | 230/28 -5° | 240/29 -14° | 250/35 -28° | 270/37 -39° | 280/37 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHX Phoenix, AZ | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 feet, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,134 ft | 5:51 pm MST (00:51 UTC) |
| IWA Phoenix, AZ | 20 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 1,384 ft | 00:50 UTC |
| CFT Clifton/Morenci, AZ | 139 nm out, 21 nm south of the line | no report just now | 3,797 ft | ||||
| TCS Truth Or Consequences, NM | 238 nm out, 3 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 4,861 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| ALM Alamogordo, NM | 307 nm out, 15 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 9,500 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 4,199 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| SRR Ruidoso, NM | 327 nm out, 25 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,813 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| ROW Roswell, NM | 376 nm out, 20 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,671 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| HOB Hobbs, NM | 446 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,660 ft | 23:50 UTC |
| LUV Lamesa, TX | 505 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,998 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| SWW Sweetwater, TX | 584 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | reported, no category | from the south (180°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,379 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| ABI Abilene, TX | destination | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 15 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 1,790 ft | 7:52 pm CDT (00:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,813 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ABI when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:24 am CDT (05:24 UTC)
Wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for ABI
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 20 knots, gusting to 29, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 12:00 am CDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm CDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
The forecast for PHX, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm MST (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MST (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MST (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MST (20:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8722 ALAMOGORDO, NM, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 307 nm along the route · security · starts tomorrow · ZAB
Daylight
Sunset at PHX 5:58 pm MST (00:58 UTC), at ABI 7:09 pm CDT (00:09 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:34 pm CDT (00:34 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ABI is before sunrise there (7:40 am CDT (12:40 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: Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Abilene Regional.
