Plan a flight · Sun 10:12 pm EDT (02:12 UTC)

Raleigh-Durham International to John Wayne/Orange County RDU → SNA

1,919 nautical miles (2,208 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 278°, about 287° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9W). At 120 knots that is 17 h 56 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 13-knot headwind), arriving about 1:08 pm PDT (20:08 UTC). Right now RDU is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 12 knots; SNA is VFR, wind from the south (180°) 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: 38 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 6W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 11:55 pm EDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 1219 to 1429 nm out.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 120155
MKCW WST 120155
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 6W
VALID UNTIL 0355Z
CO NM
FROM 50SSW DEN-30NNE TBE-50SSW CME-50E SJN-20NE DVC-50SSW DEN
AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.

SIGMET 9W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 11:55 pm EDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 1569 to 1669 nm out.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 120155
MKCW WST 120155
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 9W
VALID UNTIL 0355Z
AZ
FROM 20S TBC-30S INW-10E PHX-60SW DRK-30WNW DRK-20S TBC
DMSHG AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 21020KT. TOPS TO FL280.

AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 8,000 ft. Over the route from 50 to 190 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 130 to 300 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 150 to 310 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). Near the route, 1000 nm along the route.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 1199 to 1639 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 1239 to 1349 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1309 to 1469 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1549 to 1709 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). Over the route from 1589 to 1679 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1749 to 1799 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1759 to 1899 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 80 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 RDU.

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

PA46 at 23,000 ft, 17 nm northeast, 7:28 pm EDT (23:28 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 22,000 ft to 23,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-44. 160 nm along the route, 17 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TRI UA /OV HMV090010/TM 2328/FL230/TP PA46/TB LGT- MOD CHOP 230-220/RM ZTLFD-44
```
Report
a routine report filed through TRI
Where
10 nm east (090°) of HMV
Time
23:28 UTC
Height
at 23,000 ft
Aircraft
PA46
Turbulence
light moderate chop from 23,000 ft to 22,000 ft
Remarks
ZTLFD-44
A321 at 30,000 ft, 48 nm north, 7:45 pm EDT (23:45 UTC): moderate turbulence. 220 nm along the route, 48 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IND UA /OV AZQ170020/TM 2345/FL300/TP A321/TB MOD
```
Report
a routine report filed through IND
Where
20 nm south (170°) of AZQ
Time
23:45 UTC
Height
at 30,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
moderate
B38M at 14,000 ft, 25 nm north, 8:13 pm EDT (00:13 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, 8 °C. At the destination end, 25 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ONT UA /OV ONT053034/TM 0013/FL140/TP B38M/TA 08/TB MODERATE TURBULENCE/IC LIGHT RIME ICE 190 - 170
```
Report
a routine report filed through ONT
Where
34 nm northeast (053°) of ONT
Time
00:13 UTC
Height
at 14,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Temperature
8 °C
Turbulence
moderate turbulence
Icing
light rime ice at 19,000 ft at 17,000 ft
B763 at 3,000 ft, 12 nm north, 7:26 pm EDT (23:26 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. At the departure end, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GSO UA /OV HEVED/TM 2326/FL030/TP B763/SK BKN030
```
Report
a routine report filed through GSO
Where
heved
Time
23:26 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
B763
Sky
a broken layer from 3,000 ft
B763 descending, 11 nm north, 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. At the departure end, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GSO UA /OV 10 NE GSO/TM 2324/FLDURD/TP B763/SK BKN030
```
Report
a routine report filed through GSO
Where
10 northeast gso
Time
23:24 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B763
Sky
a broken layer from 3,000 ft
S22T descending, 17 nm north, 8:24 pm EDT (00:24 UTC): a broken layer above 2,600 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 23 tri. 180 nm along the route, 17 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TRI UA /OV KTRI050002/TM 0024/FLUNKN/TP S22T/SK BKN026-TOPUNKN/RM DURD RY23 TRI
```
Report
a routine report filed through TRI
Where
2 nm northeast (050°) of KTRI
Time
00:24 UTC
Height
height not given
Aircraft
S22T
Sky
a broken layer from 2,600 ft, tops unknown
Remarks
during the descent runway 23 tri
A320 descending, 28 nm south, 9:52 pm EDT (01:52 UTC): remarks: base 2,100 ft. 250 nm along the route, 28 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TYS UA /OV 4 NE TYS/TM 0152/FLDURD/TP A320/RM BASE 021
```
Report
a routine report filed through TYS
Where
4 northeast tys
Time
01:52 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
A320
Remarks
base 2,100 ft
A319 at 25,000 ft, 38 nm north, 7:14 pm EDT (23:14 UTC): no turbulence. 360 nm along the route, 38 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IND UA /OV BWG070017/TM 2314/FL250/TP A319/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through IND
Where
17 nm east (070°) of BWG
Time
23:14 UTC
Height
at 25,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Turbulence
none
B739 at 34,000 ft, 29 nm north, 9:51 pm EDT (01:51 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 380 nm along the route, 29 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWG UA /OV BWG270010/TM 0151/FL340/TP B739/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWG
Where
10 nm west (270°) of BWG
Time
01:51 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
zme
B77W at 31,000 ft, 4 nm east, 7:27 pm EDT (23:27 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 410 nm along the route, 4 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BNA UA /OV BNA315030/TM 2327/FL310/TP B77W/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through BNA
Where
30 nm northwest (315°) of BNA
Time
23:27 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
B77W
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
zme
B738 at 34,000 ft, 7 nm north, 7:41 pm EDT (23:41 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 420 nm along the route, 7 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CKV UA /OV CKV/TM 2341/FL340/TP B738/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through CKV
Where
over CKV
Time
23:41 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
zme
B38M at 25,000 ft, 31 nm south, 8:12 pm EDT (00:12 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZME26. 470 nm along the route, 31 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MKL UA /OV MKL045035/TM 0012/FL250/TP B38M/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZME26
```
Report
a routine report filed through MKL
Where
35 nm northeast (045°) of MKL
Time
00:12 UTC
Height
at 25,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
occasional light chop
Remarks
ZME26
B737 at 31,000 ft, 43 nm north, 8:13 pm EDT (00:13 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZME25. 490 nm along the route, 43 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PAH UA /OV CNG360015/TM 0013/FL310/TP B737/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZME25
```
Report
a routine report filed through PAH
Where
15 nm north (360°) of CNG
Time
00:13 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
occasional light chop
Remarks
ZME25
BCS3 at 35,000 ft, 32 nm south, 8:13 pm EDT (00:13 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZME33. 510 nm along the route, 32 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DYR UA /OV DYR/TM 0013/FL350/TP BCS3/TB NEG/RM ZME33
```
Report
a routine report filed through DYR
Where
over DYR
Time
00:13 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
BCS3
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ZME33

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 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 16 forecast points nearest it (RDU, TRI, TYS, BNA, CGI, SGF, TUL, OKC, GAG, AMA, TCC, ABQ, FMN, PRC, 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
4,500 ft	230° at 16 kt	+13 kt	16 °C	107 kt	17 h 56 min	1:08 pm PDT (20:08 UTC)
6,500 ft	240° at 16 kt	+15 kt	13 °C	105 kt	18 h 17 min	1:29 pm PDT (20:29 UTC)
8,500 ft	240° at 19 kt	+19 kt	10 °C	101 kt	19 h	2:12 pm PDT (21:12 UTC)
10,500 ft	250° at 20 kt	+21 kt	7 °C	99 kt	19 h 23 min	2:35 pm PDT (21:35 UTC)
12,500 ft	250° at 22 kt	+23 kt	4 °C	97 kt	19 h 47 min	2:59 pm PDT (21:59 UTC)
14,500 ft	250° at 24 kt	+24 kt	0 °C	96 kt	19 h 59 min	3:11 pm PDT (22:11 UTC)
16,500 ft	250° at 25 kt	+26 kt	-5 °C	94 kt	20 h 25 min	3:37 pm PDT (22:37 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	250° at 27 kt	+27 kt	-8 °C	93 kt	20 h 38 min	3:50 pm PDT (22:50 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	250° at 35 kt	+34 kt	-18 °C	86 kt	22 h 19 min	5:31 pm PDT (00:31 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	250° at 45 kt	+45 kt	-30 °C	75 kt	25 h 35 min	8:47 pm PDT (03:47 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 46 kt	+46 kt	-38 °C	74 kt	25 h 56 min	9:08 pm PDT (04:08 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 41 kt	+42 kt	-48 °C	78 kt	24 h 36 min	7:48 pm PDT (02:48 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
RDU	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	240/28	250/22 10°	230/30 11°	230/40 7°	230/45 -4°	220/69 -15°	220/83 -29°	210/84 -40°	220/75 -52°
TRI	used from 100 nm out; 56 nm from the line		310/28 11°	320/32 7°	330/30 2°	300/28 -9°	280/34 -21°	250/37 -31°	240/39 -38°	250/35 -48°
TYS	used from 200 nm out; 41 nm from the line	290/19	310/22 11°	330/25 7°	330/34 3°	320/37 -7°	300/37 -18°	300/37 -34°	280/29 -39°	270/29 -48°
BNA	used from 300 nm out; 62 nm from the line	280/13	340/34 16°	330/38 10°	330/44 5°	330/39 -8°	330/38 -19°	320/49 -34°	330/53 -40°	330/35 -47°
CGI	used from 450 nm out; 64 nm from the line	250/10	290/12 17°	290/18 11°	300/22 5°	320/25 -8°	330/30 -18°	320/53 -33°	320/66 -42°	320/56 -50°
SGF	used from 600 nm out; 92 nm from the line	210/21	210/21 16°	240/28 12°	260/24 7°	280/21 -6°	280/26 -18°	290/38 -31°	290/37 -41°	300/49 -52°
TUL	used from 750 nm out; 58 nm from the line	200/27	210/28 15°	240/24 13°	250/19 8°	250/28 -6°	260/25 -16°	270/34 -30°	280/41 -39°	280/41 -52°
OKC	used from 900 nm out; 63 nm from the line	190/29	200/29 16°	230/22 14°	240/17 9°	240/28 -6°	250/35 -15°	270/42 -29°	270/43 -39°	280/38 -51°
GAG	used from 950 nm out; 42 nm from the line		190/34 19°	240/27 14°	240/26 8°	240/24 -6°	240/29 -16°	250/50 -28°	250/50 -39°	260/46 -50°
AMA	used from 1099 nm out; 57 nm from the line		190/28	220/26 14°	230/27 7°	250/24 -6°	250/32 -16°	240/51 -28°	250/52 -38°	250/51 -50°
TCC	used from 1149 nm out; 59 nm from the line		200/26	200/28 14°	220/25 7°	230/28 -7°	240/41 -19°	240/62 -28°	250/61 -37°	250/49 -49°
ABQ	used from 1299 nm out; 48 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°
FMN	used from 1449 nm out; 96 nm from the line			220/25 13°	220/28 4°	210/51 -9°	220/59 -21°	230/78 -30°	230/77 -36°	230/66 -46°
PRC	used from 1499 nm out; 118 nm from the line			200/36 6°	210/46 0°	220/60 -10°	220/75 -19°	220/66 -26°	230/70 -33°	230/59 -45°
BLH	used from 1699 nm out; 60 nm from the line	230/22	210/24 11°	230/23 5°	230/26 0°	220/38 -10°	230/52 -19°	220/58 -28°	220/69 -34°	220/59 -45°
ONT	used from 1849 nm out; 32 nm from the line	230/11	200/17 6°	230/27 4°	230/32 -2°	210/39 -12°	220/51 -20°	220/48 -29°	210/51 -34°	210/52 -44°

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
RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC	departure	VFR Sky: overcast at 3,500 feet	from the southwest (230°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	3,500 ft	435 ft	9:51 pm EDT (01:51 UTC)
GSO Greensboro, NC	60 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,100 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet	from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	9,500 ft	925 ft	01:54 UTC
BNA Nashville, TN	380 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	599 ft	01:53 UTC
JWN Nashville, TN	390 nm out, 18 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	calm	8 mi	none	501 ft	01:55 UTC
BBG Branson, MO	700 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	1,302 ft	01:45 UTC
WDG Enid, OK	920 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet	from the south-southeast (150°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	1,167 ft	01:55 UTC
GAG Gage, OK	1019 nm out, 3 nm east of the line	VFR	from the south (170°) at 15 knots	10+ mi	none	2,223 ft	01:53 UTC
SAF Santa Fe, NM	1329 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet, overcast at 9,500 feet	from the south (180°) at 12 knots, gusting to 20	10+ mi	8,000 ft	6,348 ft	01:53 UTC
GUP Gallup, NM	1459 nm out, 9 nm north of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	none	6,472 ft	01:53 UTC
PRC Prescott, AZ	1639 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,900 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet	from the south-southwest (200°) at 11 knots, gusting to 23	10+ mi	8,000 ft	5,045 ft	01:53 UTC
RIV Riverside, CA	1889 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet	from the south-southeast (150°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	12,000 ft	1,536 ft	01:55 UTC
SNA Santa Ana, CA	destination	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,400 feet, a broken layer at 4,300 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet	from the south (180°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	4,300 ft	55 ft	6:53 pm PDT (01:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 6,472 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At SNA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:08 pm PDT (20:08 UTC)

Wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for SNA

From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet

The forecast for RDU, the departure

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/0708 Goodlettsville, TN, Saturday, August 1, 2026 through Sunday, August 1, 2027 UTC 8 nm from the route, 380 nm along the route · security · until 1 August · ZME
6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 16 nm from the route, 1739 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 19 nm from the route, 1839 nm along the route · security · until 12 October · ZLA
4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 5 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at RDU 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC), at SNA 6:21 pm PDT (01:21 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:46 pm PDT (01:46 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 Southeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the lower Mississippi valley · 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: Raleigh-Durham International, John Wayne/Orange County.