Plan a flight · Sun 6:50 pm MST (01:50 UTC)

Phoenix Sky Harbor International to Buffalo Niagara International PHX → BUF

1,658 nautical miles (1,908 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 060°, about 048° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 9 h 56 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 47-knot tailwind), arriving about 7:46 am EDT (11:46 UTC). Right now PHX is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 14 knots; BUF is VFR, wind from the east (090°) 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: 395 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 20 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 120 to 180 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.

SIGMET 1W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MST (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 190 to 400 nm out.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 120055
MKCW WST 120055
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 1W
VALID UNTIL 0255Z
CO NM WY AZ UT
FROM 40NNW CHE-40WNW TBE-60WNW CME-40N SJN-40ESE MTU-40NNW CHE
AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
WIND GUSTS TO 60KT POSS.

AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 40 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 90 to 479 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 150 to 380 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Near the route, 230 nm along the route.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 420 to 420 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 489 to 969 nm out.
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 1428 to 1468 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 0 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 PHX.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

A320 at 33,000 ft, 16 nm north, 5:36 pm MST (00:36 UTC): moderate turbulence above 33,000 ft, remarks: zob. 1368 nm along the route, 16 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
JXN UA /OV JXN280030/TM 0036/FL330/TP A320/TB OCNL MOD 330/RM ZOB
```
Report
a routine report filed through JXN
Where
30 nm west (280°) of JXN
Time
00:36 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
occasional moderate at 33,000 ft
Remarks
zob
DH8D at 19,000 ft, 48 nm east, 4:35 pm MST (23:35 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zob. At the destination end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 2335/FL190/TP DH8D/TB CONS MOD CHOP/RM ZOB
```
Report
a routine report filed through ROC
Where
over ROC
Time
23:35 UTC
Height
at 19,000 ft
Aircraft
DH8D
Turbulence
continuous moderate chop
Remarks
zob
B738 at 17,000 ft, 28 nm northwest, 4:54 pm MST (23:54 UTC): light rime icing, 9 °C, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 28 nm northwest 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, 33 nm northwest, 5:39 pm MST (00:39 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. At the departure end, 33 nm northwest 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
B737 at 14,000 ft, 33 nm southeast, 5:15 pm MST (00:15 UTC): light turbulence above 14,000 ft. 270 nm along the route, 33 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ABQ UA /OV ABQ275007/TM 0015/FL140/TP B737/TB LGT ABV 140
```
Report
a routine report filed through ABQ
Where
7 nm west (275°) of ABQ
Time
00:15 UTC
Height
at 14,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
light above 14,000 ft
CRJ7 at 10,000 ft, 23 nm southeast, 4:49 pm MST (23:49 UTC): remarks: light turbulence, bases above 10,000 ft, vsby 3 miles continuously, during the descent rnav RY20 KSAF. 320 nm along the route, 23 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SAF UA /OV KSAF/TM 2349/FL100 /TP CRJ7/RM LIGHT TURBULENCE, BASES ABOVE 100, VSBY 3 MILES CONTINUOUSLY, DURD RNAV RY20 KSAF
```
Report
a routine report filed through SAF
Where
over KSAF
Time
23:49 UTC
Height
at 10,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ7
Remarks
light turbulence, bases above 10,000 ft, vsby 3 miles continuously, during the descent rnav RY20 KSAF
B38M at 37,000 ft, 17 nm southeast, 3:55 pm MST (22:55 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 360 nm along the route, 17 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AXX UA /OV CIM210040/TM 2255/FL370/TP B38M/TB LGT-CONS MOD CHOP/RM ZAB FDCS
```
Report
a routine report filed through AXX
Where
40 nm southwest (210°) of CIM
Time
22:55 UTC
Height
at 37,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
lgt-cons moderate chop
Remarks
zab fdcs
B39M at 35,000 ft, 4 nm southwest, 5:29 pm MST (00:29 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: smooth. 1259 nm along the route, 4 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IKK UA /OV CGT/TM 0029/FL350/TP B39M/TB NEG/RM SMOOTH
```
Report
a routine report filed through IKK
Where
over CGT
Time
00:29 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Turbulence
none
Remarks
smooth
CRJ7 at 17,000 ft, 28 nm north, 5:04 pm MST (00:04 UTC): no turbulence. 1289 nm along the route, 28 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BEH UA /OV ELX270040/TM 0004/FL170/TP CRJ7/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through BEH
Where
40 nm west (270°) of ELX
Time
00:04 UTC
Height
at 17,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ7
Turbulence
none
B38M at 31,000 ft, 18 nm northwest, 5:04 pm MST (00:04 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 31,000 ft. 1358 nm along the route, 18 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AZO UA /OV AZO/TM 0004/FL310/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP 310 BLO
```
Report
a routine report filed through AZO
Where
over AZO
Time
00:04 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
continuous light chop at 31,000 ft below
F2TH at 3,100 ft, 18 nm north, 4:40 pm MST (23:40 UTC): remarks: tops 3,100 ft. 1368 nm along the route, 18 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AZO UA /OV BTL/TM 2340/FL031/TP F2TH/RM TOPS 031
```
Report
a routine report filed through AZO
Where
over BTL
Time
23:40 UTC
Height
at 3,100 ft
Aircraft
F2TH
Remarks
tops 3,100 ft
UAL2761 at 33,000 ft, 25 nm south, 4:24 pm MST (23:24 UTC): no turbulence, wind 310° at 40 knots. 1378 nm along the route, 25 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL2761 4139N 08447W 2324 F330 310/040KT TB SMTH IC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
E170 at 21,000 ft, 20 nm north, 6:07 pm MST (01:07 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb zob. 1398 nm along the route, 20 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LAN UA /OV LAN180020/TM 0107/FL210/TP E170/TB LGHT CHOP/RM DURC ZOB
```
Report
a routine report filed through LAN
Where
20 nm south (180°) of LAN
Time
01:07 UTC
Height
at 21,000 ft
Aircraft
E170
Turbulence
lght chop
Remarks
during the climb zob
C525 descending, 38 nm south, 6:41 pm MST (01:41 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 1418 nm along the route, 38 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0141/FLDURD/TP C525/SK TOPS035 BKN010/WX 2SM
```
Report
a routine report filed through TOL
Where
over TOL
Time
01:41 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
C525
Sky
TOPS035 BKN010
Weather
2SM

16 more routine reports are on the map.

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 12 forecast points nearest it (PHX, ABQ, ALS, PUB, GCK, SLN, MKC, BRL, JOT, FWA, CLE, BUF). 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	210° at 15 kt	−11 kt		131 kt	12 h 39 min	10:29 am EDT (14:29 UTC)
5,500 ft	230° at 16 kt	−16 kt	21 °C	136 kt	12 h 11 min	10:01 am EDT (14:01 UTC)
7,500 ft	230° at 16 kt	−17 kt	13 °C	137 kt	12 h 06 min	9:56 am EDT (13:56 UTC)
9,500 ft	240° at 15 kt	−17 kt	10 °C	137 kt	12 h 06 min	9:56 am EDT (13:56 UTC)
11,500 ft	240° at 17 kt	−18 kt	6 °C	138 kt	12 h 01 min	9:51 am EDT (13:51 UTC)
13,500 ft	250° at 19 kt	−20 kt	2 °C	140 kt	11 h 51 min	9:41 am EDT (13:41 UTC)
15,500 ft	240° at 21 kt	−22 kt	-3 °C	142 kt	11 h 41 min	9:31 am EDT (13:31 UTC)
17,500 ft	240° at 23 kt	−24 kt	-7 °C	144 kt	11 h 31 min	9:21 am EDT (13:21 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	240° at 24 kt	−25 kt	-8 °C	145 kt	11 h 26 min	9:16 am EDT (13:16 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	250° at 27 kt	−28 kt	-20 °C	148 kt	11 h 12 min	9:02 am EDT (13:02 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	250° at 42 kt	−44 kt	-32 °C	164 kt	10 h 07 min	7:57 am EDT (11:57 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	260° at 47 kt	−47 kt	-39 °C	167 kt	9 h 56 min	7:46 am EDT (11:46 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	270° at 47 kt	−47 kt	-49 °C	167 kt	9 h 56 min	7:46 am EDT (11:46 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°
ABQ	used from 150 nm out; 115 nm from the line			200/28 13°	210/28 5°	210/44 -7°	230/46 -20°	230/80 -28°	240/74 -35°	240/58 -47°
ALS	used from 350 nm out; 70 nm from the line				210/32 5°	230/48 -8°	230/49 -20°	230/78 -30°	240/74 -36°	240/61 -47°
PUB	used from 449 nm out; 89 nm from the line			210/24 16°	210/28 8°	230/43 -8°	240/42 -21°	240/77 -30°	240/72 -36°	250/51 -47°
GCK	used from 499 nm out; 88 nm from the line		200/35 21°	220/34 14°	240/30 8°	240/27 -6°	240/31 -17°	240/53 -30°	250/55 -39°	250/60 -50°
SLN	used from 699 nm out; 44 nm from the line	190/37	220/39 20°	240/31 14°	250/24 7°	260/25 -7°	250/26 -17°	250/44 -31°	260/47 -40°	260/47 -50°
MKC	used from 849 nm out; 55 nm from the line	200/28	220/30 16°	270/20 11°	280/22 7°	260/27 -6°	270/27 -18°	280/38 -32°	270/38 -40°	280/50 -52°
BRL	used from 999 nm out; 66 nm from the line	200/20	250/21 16°	240/22 10°	260/20 5°	270/16 -7°	290/22 -18°	320/41 -34°	320/56 -43°	310/68 -53°
JOT	used from 1149 nm out; 56 nm from the line	230/11	290/12 16°	300/19 10°	320/19 4°	300/17 -9°	330/31 -20°	320/49 -37°	320/53 -45°	320/67 -49°
FWA	used from 1299 nm out; 66 nm from the line	350/9	350/24 15°	360/25 9°	360/29 4°	350/31 -10°	340/39 -22°	330/40 -37°	320/38 -43°	320/48 -48°
CLE	used from 1448 nm out; 74 nm from the line	340/5	320/13 14°	300/12 8°	310/10 2°	310/14 -10°	340/14 -23°	320/27 -35°	260/28 -40°	250/36 -48°
BUF	used from 1548 nm out; 85 nm from the line	170/19	L/V 10°	040/9 6°	220/8 2°	230/15 -11°	220/33 -22°	220/47 -35°	230/55 -41°	230/56 -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
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)
SOW Show Low, AZ	110 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line	reported, no category	from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20	10+ mi	none	6,415 ft	23:35 UTC
SAF Santa Fe, NM	320 nm out, 23 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,500 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet	from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	7,500 ft	6,348 ft	01:28 UTC
AXX Angel Fire, NM	380 nm out, 4 nm west of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,600 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet Weather: light rain	from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	7,000 ft	8,379 ft	01:35 UTC
GCK Garden City, KS	609 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	none	2,890 ft	00:54 UTC
MHK Manhattan, KS	819 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	1,066 ft	00:52 UTC
STJ St Joseph, MO	909 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	826 ft	00:53 UTC
BRL Burlington, IA	1089 nm out, 1 nm east of the line	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	698 ft	00:53 UTC
GYY Gary/Chicago, IN	1269 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower	VFR	calm	8 mi	none	596 ft	00:50 UTC
DET Detroit, MI	1468 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line, tower	IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: mist	calm	6 mi	500 ft	624 ft	01:01 UTC
CYQS St Thomas,	1548 nm out, 9 nm north of the line	no report just now				776 ft
BUF Buffalo, NY	destination	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet	from the east (090°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	5,000 ft	726 ft	8:54 pm EDT (00:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 8,379 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At BUF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:46 am EDT (11:46 UTC)

Wind calm, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 300 feet low IFR

The whole forecast for BUF

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,000 feet
30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain, overcast at 1,500 feet
From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,500 feet
From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 300 feet
From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 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

No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.

Daylight

Sunset at PHX 5:58 pm MST (00:58 UTC), at BUF 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm EDT (23:06 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 southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Plains · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · 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: Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Buffalo Niagara International.