Plan a flight · Sun 5:35 pm MST (00:35 UTC)

Phoenix Sky Harbor International to Chicago Midway International PHX → MDW

1,252 nautical miles (1,441 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 059°, about 047° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 14 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 53-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:49 am CDT (07:49 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now PHX is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (300°) at 10 knots, gusting to 21; MDW is VFR, wind from the south (170°) 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: 5,409 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 W69W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm MST (01:55 UTC). Over the first 189 nm of the route.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 112355
MKCW WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 69W
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
TX NM AZ
FROM 50ENE PGS-60SE ABQ-20ENE ELP-70SSW SSO-50SE BZA-50ENE PGS
AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.

SIGMET W68W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 36,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm MST (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 189 to 427 nm out.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 112355
MKCW WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 68W
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
CO NM AZ UT
FROM 30W CHE-20NNW TBE-60SE ABQ-40N SJN-30SW MTU-30W CHE
AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL360.

AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 40 to 447 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 40 to 239 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Near the route, 249 nm along 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

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
B737 at 14,000 ft, 36 nm southeast, 5:15 pm MST (00:15 UTC): light turbulence above 14,000 ft. 268 nm along the route, 36 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
HDJT at 18,000 ft, 29 nm south, 3:38 pm MST (22:38 UTC): light rime icing from 16,000 ft to 17,500 ft, -9 °C, remarks: during the climb out of abq zab/fd. 268 nm along the route, 29 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ABQ UA /OV ABQ285015/TM 2238/FL180/TP HDJT/TA M09/IC LGT RIME 160-175/RM DURC OUT OF ABQ - ZAB/FD
```
Report
a routine report filed through ABQ
Where
15 nm west (285°) of ABQ
Time
22:38 UTC
Height
at 18,000 ft
Aircraft
HDJT
Temperature
−9 °C
Icing
light rime from 16,000 ft to 17,500 ft
Remarks
during the climb out of abq zab/fd
CRJ7 at 10,000 ft, 27 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. 318 nm along the route, 27 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, 21 nm southeast, 3:55 pm MST (22:55 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 358 nm along the route, 21 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
GA6C at 47,000 ft, 6 nm north, 2:47 pm MST (21:47 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 358 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LVS UA /OV FTI320050/TM 2147/FL470/TP GA6C/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZAB FDCS
```
Report
a routine report filed through LVS
Where
50 nm northwest (320°) of FTI
Time
21:47 UTC
Height
at 47,000 ft
Aircraft
GA6C
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
zab fdcs
GLEX at 47,000 ft, 26 nm southeast, 2:38 pm MST (21:38 UTC): remarks: mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed or 150FT zab fdcs. 417 nm along the route, 26 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RTN UA /OV CIM090030/TM 2138/FL470/TP GLEX/RM MTN WAVE +/-10KTS OR 150FT ZAB FDCS
```
Report
a routine report filed through RTN
Where
30 nm east (090°) of CIM
Time
21:38 UTC
Height
at 47,000 ft
Aircraft
GLEX
Remarks
mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed or 150FT zab fdcs
B39M at 35,000 ft, 18 nm southeast, 5:29 pm MST (00:29 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: smooth. At the destination end, 18 nm southeast 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, 39 nm northeast, 5:04 pm MST (00:04 UTC): no turbulence. At the destination end, 39 nm northeast 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
A319 at 15,000 ft, 47 nm east, 3:08 pm MST (22:08 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: during the descent from 15,000 ft to 13,000 ft. At the destination end, 47 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PPO UA /OV PPO/TM 2208/FL150/TP A319/TB NEG/RM DURD 150-130
```
Report
a routine report filed through PPO
Where
over PPO
Time
22:08 UTC
Height
at 15,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Turbulence
none
Remarks
during the descent from 15,000 ft to 13,000 ft

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 10 forecast points nearest it (PHX, ABQ, ALS, PUB, GCK, SLN, MKC, DSM, BRL, 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	210° at 24 kt	−18 kt		138 kt	9 h 04 min	4:39 am CDT (09:39 UTC)
5,500 ft	220° at 25 kt	−22 kt	21 °C	142 kt	8 h 49 min	4:24 am CDT (09:24 UTC)
7,500 ft	220° at 24 kt	−22 kt	14 °C	142 kt	8 h 49 min	4:24 am CDT (09:24 UTC)
9,500 ft	230° at 22 kt	−22 kt	11 °C	142 kt	8 h 49 min	4:24 am CDT (09:24 UTC)
11,500 ft	230° at 23 kt	−23 kt	6 °C	143 kt	8 h 45 min	4:20 am CDT (09:20 UTC)
13,500 ft	230° at 25 kt	−25 kt	2 °C	145 kt	8 h 38 min	4:13 am CDT (09:13 UTC)
15,500 ft	230° at 27 kt	−28 kt	-2 °C	148 kt	8 h 28 min	4:03 am CDT (09:03 UTC)
17,500 ft	240° at 30 kt	−30 kt	-6 °C	150 kt	8 h 21 min	3:56 am CDT (08:56 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	240° at 30 kt	−31 kt	-7 °C	151 kt	8 h 17 min	3:52 am CDT (08:52 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	240° at 33 kt	−34 kt	-19 °C	154 kt	8 h 08 min	3:43 am CDT (08:43 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	250° at 50 kt	−51 kt	-31 °C	171 kt	7 h 19 min	2:54 am CDT (07:54 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	260° at 53 kt	−53 kt	-39 °C	173 kt	7 h 14 min	2:49 am CDT (07:49 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 51 kt	−51 kt	-49 °C	171 kt	7 h 19 min	2:54 am CDT (07:54 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 149 nm out; 117 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 348 nm out; 65 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 447 nm out; 82 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 497 nm out; 91 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 696 nm out; 50 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 845 nm out; 67 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°
DSM	used from 944 nm out; 71 nm from the line	200/32	240/27 17°	260/19 10°	260/16 5°	260/19 -7°	240/22 -19°	270/20 -32°	270/38 -42°	290/58 -53°
BRL	used from 1044 nm out; 25 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 1143 nm out; 63 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°

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 4,500 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet	from the west-northwest (300°) at 10 knots, gusting to 21	10+ mi	10,000 ft	1,134 ft	4:51 pm MST (23:51 UTC)
TYL Taylor, AZ	109 nm out, 6 nm north of the line	reported, no category	from the southwest (220°) at 12 knots, gusting to 32	8 mi	none	5,823 ft	23:35 UTC
SJN St Johns, AZ	149 nm out, 9 nm south of the line	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet	from the southwest (220°) at 14 knots	10+ mi	none	5,736 ft	23:54 UTC
LAM Los Alamos, NM	318 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line	reported, no category	from the south (170°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21		5,500 ft	7,170 ft	00:15 UTC
AXX Angel Fire, NM	378 nm out, 2 nm south of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet	from the west (260°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	9,500 ft	8,379 ft	00:15 UTC
GCK Garden City, KS	616 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 17 knots, gusting to 29	10+ mi	none	2,890 ft	23:54 UTC
RSL Russell, KS	716 nm out, 3 nm north of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 13 knots	10+ mi	none	1,863 ft	23:53 UTC
MHK Manhattan, KS	815 nm out, 20 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	1,066 ft	23:52 UTC
STJ St Joseph, MO	905 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	826 ft	23:53 UTC
MLI Moline, IL	1123 nm out, 17 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	589 ft	23:52 UTC
LOT Chicago/Romeoville, IL	1233 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	679 ft	23:45 UTC
MDW Chicago, IL	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	619 ft	6:53 pm CDT (23:53 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 MDW when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:49 am CDT (07:49 UTC)

Wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for MDW

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 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 MDW 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MDW is before sunrise there (6:59 am CDT (11:59 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, Chicago Midway International.