Phoenix Sky Harbor International to Chicago O'Hare International PHX → ORD
1,249 nautical miles (1,437 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 059°, about 047° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 43 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 66-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:13 am CDT (14:13 UTC). Right now PHX is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (110°) at 4 knots; ORD is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 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: 10,968 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 C12C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 25,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 1:55 am MST (08:55 UTC). Near the route, 370 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120655 MKCC WST 120655 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 12C VALID UNTIL 0855Z CO NM FROM 40W PUB-30SSE PUB-30W CIM-50WSW ALS-40W PUB DMSHG AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL250.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft, from 11:00 pm MST (06:00 UTC). Over the first 450 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 11:00 pm MST (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 20 to 80 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 11:00 pm MST (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 60 to 490 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 MST (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 480 to 1109 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
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 27 nm northwest, 10:15 pm MST (05:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the descent through clouds. At the departure end, 27 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR339030/TM 0515/FL140/TP B737/TB OCNL MOD/RM DURD THROUGH CLOUDS
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 30 nm north (339°) of PXR
- Time
- 05:15 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent through clouds
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 11 forecast points nearest it (PHX, FMN, 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 | 220° at 29 kt | −27 kt | 147 kt | 8 h 30 min | 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | −31 kt | 21 °C | 151 kt | 8 h 16 min | 10:46 am CDT (15:46 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −27 kt | 14 °C | 147 kt | 8 h 30 min | 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | −23 kt | 10 °C | 143 kt | 8 h 44 min | 11:14 am CDT (16:14 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | −23 kt | 6 °C | 143 kt | 8 h 44 min | 11:14 am CDT (16:14 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −26 kt | 2 °C | 146 kt | 8 h 33 min | 11:03 am CDT (16:03 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | −30 kt | -2 °C | 150 kt | 8 h 20 min | 10:50 am CDT (15:50 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | −34 kt | -7 °C | 154 kt | 8 h 07 min | 10:37 am CDT (15:37 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 35 kt | −35 kt | -8 °C | 155 kt | 8 h 03 min | 10:33 am CDT (15:33 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 44 kt | −44 kt | -20 °C | 164 kt | 7 h 37 min | 10:07 am CDT (15:07 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 60 kt | −61 kt | -29 °C | 181 kt | 6 h 54 min | 9:24 am CDT (14:24 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 65 kt | −66 kt | -37 °C | 186 kt | 6 h 43 min | 9:13 am CDT (14:13 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 57 kt | −58 kt | -48 °C | 178 kt | 7 h 01 min | 9:31 am CDT (14:31 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHX | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 150/5 | 200/21 12° | 200/27 6° | 200/35 3° | 220/58 -8° | 220/69 -19° | 220/87 -26° | 230/93 -35° | 230/79 -47° |
| FMN | used from 150 nm out; 116 nm from the line | 220/28 9° | 220/40 2° | 220/53 -10° | 220/62 -22° | 230/79 -28° | 240/91 -34° | 230/71 -45° | ||
| ABQ | used from 200 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 220/27 11° | 210/35 5° | 220/46 -9° | 230/62 -20° | 240/78 -25° | 240/80 -35° | 240/56 -47° | ||
| ALS | used from 350 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 230/37 4° | 220/54 -9° | 230/62 -22° | 240/77 -26° | 240/74 -33° | 230/59 -45° | |||
| PUB | used from 450 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 230/25 13° | 230/32 6° | 220/44 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 240/70 -28° | 240/67 -34° | 240/58 -46° | ||
| GCK | used from 500 nm out; 90 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 699 nm out; 51 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° |
| MKC | used from 849 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/28 18° | 250/18 13° | 240/12 6° | 280/24 -6° | 240/34 -18° | 260/47 -30° | 260/51 -40° | 270/58 -50° |
| DSM | used from 949 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 230/40 | 250/33 17° | 250/18 12° | 240/17 5° | 260/28 -8° | 270/34 -19° | 260/41 -33° | 260/55 -41° | 270/62 -51° |
| BRL | used from 1049 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 230/24 | 240/29 15° | 290/16 10° | 280/15 4° | 260/23 -7° | 260/32 -19° | 260/36 -33° | 280/48 -41° | 280/59 -52° |
| JOT | used from 1149 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 15° | 250/16 10° | 240/9 4° | 280/22 -7° | 280/29 -19° | 300/29 -34° | 290/50 -43° | 300/64 -52° |
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 4,800 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet | from the east-southeast (110°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 1,134 ft | 11:51 pm MST (06:51 UTC) |
| TYL Taylor, AZ | 110 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | reported, no category | from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,823 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| XNI Zuni, NM | 180 nm out, 7 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,900 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,371 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| SKX Taos, NM | 360 nm out, 4 nm north of the line | no report just now | 7,094 ft | ||||
| RTN Raton, NM | 420 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | VFR | from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,352 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| GCK Garden City, KS | 609 nm out, 21 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 20 knots, gusting to 32 | 10+ mi | none | 2,890 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| HYS Hays, KS | 699 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,999 ft | 06:56 UTC |
| CYW Clay Center, KS | 799 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 1,208 ft | ||||
| STJ St Joseph, MO | 909 nm out, 24 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 826 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| FFL Fairfield, IA | 1059 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 800 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| MLI Moline, IL | 1129 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 589 ft | 06:52 UTC |
| ORD Chicago, IL | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 30,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 680 ft | 1:51 am CDT (06:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,094 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ORD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:13 am CDT (14:13 UTC)
Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for ORD
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for PHX, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm MST (06:00 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 6:00 pm MST (01:00 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 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 5:57 pm MST (00:57 UTC), at ORD 6:15 pm CDT (23:15 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:43 pm CDT (23:43 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, Chicago O'Hare International.
