Phoenix Sky Harbor International to Chippewa Valley Regional PHX → EAU
1,171 nautical miles (1,348 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 048°, about 036° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 08 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 71-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:38 pm CDT (17:38 UTC). Right now PHX is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 7 knots; EAU is VFR, wind from the south (190°) 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 SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 89 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 30 to 129 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 50 to 526 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 60 nm along the route.
- 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 79 to 149 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 238 to 466 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 397 to 556 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 route from 705 to 973 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
No pilot reports within 50 nautical miles of the line in the last three hours.
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 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, PRC, FMN, ALS, PUB, GLD, GRI, ONL, FSD, MCW, MSP, LSE). 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 | 240° at 28 kt | −28 kt | 22 °C | 148 kt | 7 h 55 min | 2:25 pm CDT (19:25 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 240° at 26 kt | −26 kt | 12 °C | 146 kt | 8 h 01 min | 2:31 pm CDT (19:31 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −27 kt | 10 °C | 147 kt | 7 h 58 min | 2:28 pm CDT (19:28 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | −30 kt | 5 °C | 150 kt | 7 h 48 min | 2:18 pm CDT (19:18 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 33 kt | −33 kt | 1 °C | 153 kt | 7 h 39 min | 2:09 pm CDT (19:09 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 35 kt | −35 kt | -3 °C | 155 kt | 7 h 33 min | 2:03 pm CDT (19:03 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 38 kt | −38 kt | -8 °C | 158 kt | 7 h 25 min | 1:55 pm CDT (18:55 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 38 kt | −39 kt | -9 °C | 159 kt | 7 h 22 min | 1:52 pm CDT (18:52 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 49 kt | −49 kt | -21 °C | 169 kt | 6 h 56 min | 1:26 pm CDT (18:26 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 64 kt | −64 kt | -31 °C | 184 kt | 6 h 22 min | 12:52 pm CDT (17:52 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 72 kt | −71 kt | -36 °C | 191 kt | 6 h 08 min | 12:38 pm CDT (17:38 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 68 kt | −68 kt | -47 °C | 188 kt | 6 h 14 min | 12:44 pm CDT (17:44 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHX | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 190/15 | 210/25 12° | 200/34 4° | 200/34 2° | 220/58 -9° | 220/75 -19° | 220/91 -28° | 220/100 -35° | 220/95 -47° |
| PRC | used from 99 nm out; 113 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| FMN | used from 149 nm out; 101 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° | ||
| ALS | used from 347 nm out; 16 nm from the line | 240/35 3° | 230/54 -9° | 240/66 -19° | 230/85 -26° | 240/87 -34° | 240/70 -47° | |||
| PUB | used from 447 nm out; 10 nm from the line | 260/45 11° | 240/38 6° | 230/47 -8° | 230/51 -19° | 240/74 -29° | 240/82 -35° | 250/72 -48° | ||
| GLD | used from 546 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 260/37 | 260/25 14° | 250/27 8° | 230/36 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 250/71 -30° | 260/82 -36° | 250/73 -48° | |
| GRI | used from 695 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 230/39 23° | 230/32 15° | 210/29 7° | 230/31 -8° | 230/43 -21° | 250/52 -31° | 260/59 -35° | 260/59 -46° | |
| ONL | used from 794 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 250/31 22° | 230/27 16° | 220/25 8° | 230/25 -9° | 220/29 -22° | 250/42 -33° | 250/48 -36° | 250/52 -46° | |
| FSD | used from 893 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 210/20 | 230/23 21° | 220/25 14° | 230/30 5° | 230/26 -9° | 240/30 -21° | 270/33 -36° | 260/47 -37° | 270/58 -47° |
| MCW | used from 992 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 250/36 | 250/24 19° | 240/26 11° | 250/30 5° | 270/22 -9° | 260/30 -21° | 260/31 -36° | 280/53 -38° | 280/66 -48° |
| MSP | used from 1092 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 250/12 | 250/17 17° | 240/26 12° | 250/26 5° | 280/26 -9° | 280/32 -22° | 270/37 -38° | 280/47 -41° | 280/55 -48° |
| LSE | used from 1141 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 250/25 | 240/21 17° | 240/28 11° | 250/28 5° | 280/24 -10° | 280/31 -21° | 260/35 -37° | 270/45 -43° | 280/59 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHX Phoenix, AZ | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,134 ft | 3:51 am MST (10:51 UTC) |
| PAN Payson, AZ | 60 nm out, 15 nm northwest of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,800 feet, overcast at 2,700 feet | from the south (170°) at 8 knots, gusting to 14 | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 5,160 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| RQE Window Rock, AZ | 198 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 6,500 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 6,742 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| PSO Pagosa Springs, CO | 337 nm out, 19 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,400 feet, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,500 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 1 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 7,663 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| PUB Pueblo, CO | 466 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,729 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 476 nm out, 21 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 20,000 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 6,187 ft | 10:54 UTC |
| SYF St Francis, KS | 625 nm out, 15 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,429 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| GTE Gothenburg, NE | 725 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 2,558 ft | ||||
| SUX Sioux City, IA | 913 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (130°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,098 ft | 10:52 UTC |
| FRM Fairmont, MN | 1022 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,161 ft | 10:56 UTC |
| OWA Owatonna, MN | 1082 nm out, 2 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,145 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| EAU Eau Claire, WI | destination | VFR | from the south (190°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 913 ft | 5:56 am CDT (10:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,663 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At EAU when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:38 pm CDT (17:38 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for EAU
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Tue 2:00 am CDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Tue 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 700 feet
The forecast for PHX, the departure
- From Mon 5:00 am MST (12:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 7 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 southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, 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 at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, 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 southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Tue 3:00 am MST (10:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Tue 6:00 am MST (13:00 UTC): wind from the west at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 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 5:57 pm MST (00:57 UTC), at EAU 6:26 pm CDT (23:26 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:56 pm CDT (23:56 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, Chippewa Valley Regional.