Rapid City Regional to Palm Springs International RAP → PSP
876 nautical miles (1,008 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 230°, about 222° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 9 h 38 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 29-knot headwind), arriving about 8:13 am PDT (15:13 UTC). Right now RAP is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 7 knots; PSP is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 12 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
- SIGMET 8C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 12:55 am MDT (06:55 UTC). Over the route from 30 to 100 nm out.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120455 MKCC WST 120455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 8C VALID UNTIL 0655Z NE SD WY FROM 50WNW RAP-20SSW RAP-60NW BFF-40ENE DDY-50WNW RAP DMSHG AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 40 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 557 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 30 to 368 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 80 to 726 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 209 to 736 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 209 to 717 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 229 to 328 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, 677 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the last 100 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the last 100 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 RAP.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent B737 at 7,600 ft, 39 nm southeast, 9:22 pm MDT (03:22 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear 45 knots crosswind on final. 279 nm along the route, 39 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
HDN UUA /OV HDN/TM 0322/FL076/TP B737/RM LLWS 45 KTS CROSSWIND ON FINAL
- Report
- an urgent report filed through HDN
- Where
- over HDN
- Time
- 03:22 UTC
- Height
- at 7,600 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear 45 knots crosswind on final
- E75L climbing, 9 nm north, 9:22 pm MDT (03:22 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. At the destination end, 9 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PSP UA /OV PSP345013/TM 0322/FLDURC/TP E75L/TB MOD CHOP/LT TURBU SFC-60
- Report
- a routine report filed through PSP
- Where
- 13 nm north (345°) of PSP
- Time
- 03:22 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate chop/lt turbu SFC-60
- A319 at 18,000 ft, 33 nm northwest, 9:45 pm MDT (03:45 UTC): light rime icing from 18,000 ft to 20,000 ft, -16 °C, remarks: zlawc. 697 nm along the route, 33 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAS UA /OV BLD017030/TM 0345/FL180/TP A319/TA M16/IC LGT RIME 200-180/RM ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAS
- Where
- 30 nm north (017°) of BLD
- Time
- 03:45 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Temperature
- −16 °C
- Icing
- light rime from 20,000 ft to 18,000 ft
- Remarks
- zlawc
- B737 at 14,500 ft, 32 nm northwest, 11:30 pm MDT (05:30 UTC): light turbulence. 736 nm along the route, 32 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAS UA /OV LAS155012/TM 0530/FL145/TP B737/TB LGT
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAS
- Where
- 12 nm southeast (155°) of LAS
- Time
- 05:30 UTC
- Height
- at 14,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light
- H25B at 17,000 ft, 43 nm northwest, 8:44 pm MDT (02:44 UTC): light rime icing, -10 °C, remarks: rndrz arrival. 756 nm along the route, 43 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAS UA /OV LAS210030/TM 0244/FL170/TP H25B/TA -10/IC LT RIME/RM RNDRZ ARR
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAS
- Where
- 30 nm southwest (210°) of LAS
- Time
- 02:44 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- H25B
- Temperature
- -10
- Icing
- lt rime
- Remarks
- rndrz arrival
- B737 at 16,000 ft, 47 nm northwest, 9:45 pm MDT (03:45 UTC): light rime icing, -9 °C. 776 nm along the route, 47 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAS UA /OV LAS215045/TM 0345/FL160/TP B737/TA M09/IC LGT RIME
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAS
- Where
- 45 nm southwest (215°) of LAS
- Time
- 03:45 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- E75L climbing, 6 nm northwest, 8:36 pm MDT (02:36 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence. At the destination end, 6 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PSP UA /OV PSP347010/TM 0236/FLDURC/TP E75L/TB LT TO MOD CHOP IN CLIMB
- Report
- a routine report filed through PSP
- Where
- 10 nm north (347°) of PSP
- Time
- 02:36 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- lt to moderate chop in climb
- A321 at 3,300 ft, 48 nm west, 10:59 pm MDT (04:59 UTC): a broken layer above 3,300 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 48 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT078008/TM 0459/FL033/TP A321/SK BKN033-TOPUNKN/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 8 nm east (078°) of ONT
- Time
- 04:59 UTC
- Height
- at 3,300 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,300 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B38M at 4,500 ft, 45 nm west, 10:15 pm MDT (04:15 UTC): a broken layer above 4,500 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 45 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT078012/TM 0415/FL045/TP B38M/SK BKN045-TOPUNKN/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 12 nm east (078°) of ONT
- Time
- 04:15 UTC
- Height
- at 4,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- a broken layer from 4,500 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent
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 westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 8 forecast points nearest it (RAP, BFF, RKS, GJT, BCE, LAS, BLH, ONT). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,500 ft | 200° at 32 kt | +29 kt | 8 °C | 91 kt | 9 h 38 min | 8:13 am PDT (15:13 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 32 kt | +31 kt | 4 °C | 89 kt | 9 h 51 min | 8:26 am PDT (15:26 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | +33 kt | 0 °C | 87 kt | 10 h 04 min | 8:39 am PDT (15:39 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | +35 kt | -4 °C | 85 kt | 10 h 18 min | 8:53 am PDT (15:53 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | +38 kt | -9 °C | 82 kt | 10 h 41 min | 9:16 am PDT (16:16 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 40 kt | +40 kt | -12 °C | 80 kt | 10 h 57 min | 9:32 am PDT (16:32 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 51 kt | +51 kt | -21 °C | 69 kt | 12 h 42 min | 11:17 am PDT (18:17 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 55 kt | +55 kt | -30 °C | 65 kt | 13 h 29 min | 12:04 pm PDT (19:04 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 60 kt | +60 kt | -35 °C | 60 kt | 14 h 36 min | 1:11 pm PDT (20:11 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 56 kt | +56 kt | -45 °C | 64 kt | 13 h 41 min | 12:16 pm PDT (19:16 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAP | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 180/23 12° | 200/38 13° | 210/38 6° | 220/28 -10° | 230/34 -21° | 230/37 -36° | 250/52 -38° | 250/59 -46° | |
| BFF | used from 100 nm out; 87 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° | |
| RKS | used from 199 nm out; 98 nm from the line | 200/41 | 220/44 1° | 220/35 -11° | 220/46 -24° | 210/53 -27° | 220/62 -35° | 230/61 -44° | ||
| GJT | used from 348 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 210/43 7° | 230/45 1° | 220/49 -12° | 220/62 -22° | 220/59 -28° | 230/60 -33° | 220/55 -45° | ||
| BCE | used from 448 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 220/27 -1° | 210/40 -13° | 220/54 -21° | 220/64 -30° | 220/64 -34° | 220/52 -44° | |||
| LAS | used from 647 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 210/21 10° | 200/18 5° | 200/23 -2° | 210/49 -14° | 210/63 -21° | 220/58 -30° | 220/61 -35° | 210/56 -44° | |
| BLH | used from 796 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 210/13 | 200/21 11° | 200/22 5° | 210/25 -1° | 210/51 -10° | 220/61 -20° | 220/81 -29° | 220/92 -34° | 220/79 -45° |
| ONT | used from 846 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 190/8 | 190/19 6° | 210/23 4° | 210/29 -3° | 210/47 -13° | 210/49 -19° | 220/47 -30° | 220/50 -36° | 220/55 -43° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAP Rapid City, SD | departure | IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 700 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 7 knots | 6 mi | 700 ft | 3,203 ft | 10:52 pm MDT (04:52 UTC) |
| CUT Custer, SD | 30 nm out, 2 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 10,000 feet Weather: nearby thunderstorms | from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 5,619 ft | 05:23 UTC |
| DGW Douglas, WY | 129 nm out, 10 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,932 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| SAA Saratoga, WY | 229 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | reported, no category | from the south (190°) at 18 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | none | 7,014 ft | 05:10 UTC |
| DWX Dixon, WY | 269 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 11,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 15 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 6,548 ft | 05:15 UTC |
| HVE Hanksville, UT | 478 nm out, 17 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 14 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 4,453 ft | 05:10 UTC |
| BCE Bryce Canyon, UT | 557 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,200 feet, overcast at 4,800 feet Weather: light rain | from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 3,200 ft | 7,589 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| AZC Colorado City, AZ | 617 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,600 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 4,873 ft | 05:15 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 756 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 707 ft | 05:15 UTC |
| TNP Twentynine Palms, CA | 846 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 1,888 ft | ||||
| PSP Palm Springs, CA | destination | VFR | from the northwest (320°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 476 ft | 9:53 pm PDT (04:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,589 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PSP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:13 am PDT (15:13 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for PSP
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
The forecast for RAP, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 8 knots, visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet
- At times between Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC) and 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, mist, a broken layer at 1,000 feet (thunderheads)
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, 726 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 9 nm from the route, 756 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 6/8887 Indio, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 15 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 12 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at RAP 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC), at PSP 6:16 pm PDT (01:16 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:41 pm PDT (01:41 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: Rapid City Regional, Palm Springs International.