Chicago/Rockford International to Harrisburg International RFD → MDT
570 nautical miles (655 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 098°, about 101° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 32 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 41-knot tailwind), arriving about 3:03 am EDT (07:03 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RFD is VFR, wind from the southeast (140°) at 4 knots; MDT is IFR, wind from the northwest (320°) 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: 262 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 E11E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 11:55 pm CDT (04:55 UTC). Over the last 30 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120255 MKCE WST 120255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 11E VALID UNTIL 0455Z NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND DE NJ NY MD CT VA CSTL WTRS FROM 20NE JFK-90SE SIE-20NNW ORF-30ENE EKN-10S JST-20NE JFK AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- 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 last 460 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 170 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 420 to 550 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 13,000 ft. Near the route, at the destination end.
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 RFD.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A320 at 33,000 ft, 34 nm north, 7:36 pm CDT (00:36 UTC): moderate turbulence above 33,000 ft, remarks: zob. 170 nm along the route, 34 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
JXN UA /OV JXN280030/TM 0036/FL330/TP A320/TB OCNL MOD 330/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through JXN
- Where
- 30 nm west (280°) of JXN
- Time
- 00:36 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate at 33,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- A320 at 34,000 ft, 49 nm south, 9:03 pm CDT (02:03 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 220 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FWA UA /OV FWA115040/TM 0203/FL340/TP A320/TB MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through FWA
- Where
- 40 nm southeast (115°) of FWA
- Time
- 02:03 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- B752 at 30,000 ft, 11 nm southwest, 9:26 pm CDT (02:26 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zob. 520 nm along the route, 11 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
HGR UA /OV THS010020/TM 0226/FL300/TP B752/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through HGR
- Where
- 20 nm north (010°) of THS
- Time
- 02:26 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B752
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- zob
- UAL1558 at 30,000 ft, 10 nm southwest, 9:22 pm CDT (02:22 UTC): moderate turbulence, -36 °C, wind 240° at 50 knots. 530 nm along the route, 10 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1558 4014N 07742W 0222 F300 MS36 240/050KT TB MODERATE SK CLEAR IC NONE
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- E145 at 12,000 ft, 22 nm east, 7:43 pm CDT (00:43 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 22 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
LNS UA /OV LRP/TM 0043/FL120/TP E145/TB CONS MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through LNS
- Where
- over LRP
- Time
- 00:43 UTC
- Height
- at 12,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- A321 at 32,000 ft, 24 nm southwest, 8:56 pm CDT (01:56 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: pocket continuous light turbulence. At the departure end, 24 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
RPJ UA /OV PLL/TM 0156/FL320/TP A321/TB CONS LGT/RM POCKET CONS LGT TB
- Report
- a routine report filed through RPJ
- Where
- over PLL
- Time
- 01:56 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- pocket continuous light turbulence
- E170 at 21,000 ft, 49 nm north, 8:07 pm CDT (01:07 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb zob. 200 nm along the route, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAN UA /OV LAN180020/TM 0107/FL210/TP E170/TB LGHT CHOP/RM DURC ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAN
- Where
- 20 nm south (180°) of LAN
- Time
- 01:07 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- lght chop
- Remarks
- during the climb zob
- PA44 descending, 5 nm north, 9:27 pm CDT (02:27 UTC): a broken layer from 900 ft to 1,500 ft; a broken layer from 2,600 ft to 3,500 ft, fog. 240 nm along the route, 5 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0227/FLDURD/TP PA44/SK BKN009 TOPS015 BKN026 TOPS035/WX FG
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 02:27 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- PA44
- Sky
- BKN009 TOPS015 BKN026 TOPS035
- Weather
- fog
- C525 descending, 5 nm north, 8:41 pm CDT (01:41 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 240 nm along the route, 5 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0141/FLDURD/TP C525/SK TOPS035 BKN010/WX 2SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 01:41 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- C525
- Sky
- TOPS035 BKN010
- Weather
- 2SM
- CRJ7 at 600 ft, 45 nm north, 9:07 pm CDT (02:07 UTC): a broken layer above 1,500 ft. 250 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0207/FLSFC/TP CRJ7/SK BKN 015
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- over DTW
- Time
- 02:07 UTC
- Height
- at the surface
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,500 ft
- CRJ7 descending, 45 nm north, 8:01 pm CDT (01:01 UTC): overcast above 2,800 ft. 250 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTW UA /OV FINAL 3R /TM 0101/FLDURD/TP CRJ7/SK OVC 028
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTW
- Where
- final 3R
- Time
- 01:01 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- overcast from 2,800 ft
- CRJ7 descending, 12 nm south, 8:17 pm CDT (01:17 UTC): remarks: bases 2,000 ft. 350 nm along the route, 12 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CAK UA /OV CAK/TM 0117/FLDURD/TP CRJ7/RM BASES 020
- Report
- a routine report filed through CAK
- Where
- over CAK
- Time
- 01:17 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Remarks
- bases 2,000 ft
- C68A at 2,700 ft, 24 nm south, 7:45 pm CDT (00:45 UTC): overcast above 2,700 ft, remarks: landing runway 10R. 410 nm along the route, 24 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PIT UA /OV KPIT/TM 0045/FL027/TP C68A/SK OVC027/RM LANDING RWY 10R
- Report
- a routine report filed through PIT
- Where
- over KPIT
- Time
- 00:45 UTC
- Height
- at 2,700 ft
- Aircraft
- C68A
- Sky
- overcast from 2,700 ft
- Remarks
- landing runway 10R
- E75S at 22,000 ft, 19 nm southwest, 9:51 pm CDT (02:51 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zob. 480 nm along the route, 19 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
JST UA /OV JST/TM 0251/FL220/TP E75S/TB LGHT-MOD/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through JST
- Where
- over JST
- Time
- 02:51 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Turbulence
- lght-mod
- Remarks
- zob
2 more routine reports are on the map.
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 5 forecast points nearest it (JOT, FWA, CLE, AGC, PSB). 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 | 300° at 12 kt | −12 kt | 132 kt | 4 h 19 min | 3:50 am EDT (07:50 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 330° at 14 kt | −10 kt | 13 °C | 130 kt | 4 h 23 min | 3:54 am EDT (07:54 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 330° at 15 kt | −10 kt | 11 °C | 130 kt | 4 h 23 min | 3:54 am EDT (07:54 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 330° at 14 kt | −10 kt | 8 °C | 130 kt | 4 h 23 min | 3:54 am EDT (07:54 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 330° at 13 kt | −9 kt | 4 °C | 129 kt | 4 h 25 min | 3:56 am EDT (07:56 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 320° at 15 kt | −11 kt | 0 °C | 131 kt | 4 h 21 min | 3:52 am EDT (07:52 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 320° at 18 kt | −14 kt | -4 °C | 134 kt | 4 h 15 min | 3:46 am EDT (07:46 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 320° at 21 kt | −17 kt | -8 °C | 137 kt | 4 h 10 min | 3:41 am EDT (07:41 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 320° at 22 kt | −18 kt | -9 °C | 138 kt | 4 h 08 min | 3:39 am EDT (07:39 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 29 kt | −24 kt | -21 °C | 144 kt | 3 h 58 min | 3:29 am EDT (07:29 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 320° at 38 kt | −28 kt | -36 °C | 148 kt | 3 h 51 min | 3:22 am EDT (07:22 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 310° at 46 kt | −39 kt | -42 °C | 159 kt | 3 h 35 min | 3:06 am EDT (07:06 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 310° at 49 kt | −41 kt | -49 °C | 161 kt | 3 h 32 min | 3:03 am EDT (07:03 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOT | used from 0 nm out; 40 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° |
| FWA | used from 100 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 300/17 | 320/20 16° | 330/20 10° | 340/15 3° | 310/27 -8° | 320/37 -20° | 330/52 -36° | 330/65 -43° | 330/60 -50° |
| CLE | used from 250 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 340/7 | 010/16 13° | 350/18 8° | 350/20 3° | 340/31 -10° | 340/46 -21° | 340/54 -37° | 330/62 -44° | 340/65 -49° |
| AGC | used from 400 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 350/14 | 330/20 11° | 340/18 8° | 330/17 3° | 340/22 -11° | 340/31 -22° | 330/33 -36° | 300/34 -41° | 300/35 -47° |
| PSB | used from 450 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 360/13 13° | 330/14 7° | 300/11 3° | 290/12 -11° | 240/23 -23° | 270/25 -36° | 250/34 -40° | 250/45 -48° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 742 ft | 9:54 pm CDT (02:54 UTC) |
| PWK Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, IL | 50 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 644 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| MDW Chicago, IL | 60 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 619 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| EKM Elkhart, IN | 140 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Weather: mist | calm | 1 mi | none | 777 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| ANQ Angola, IN | 180 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | reported, no category | calm | 0.25 mi | none | 995 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| TOL Toledo, OH | 240 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light drizzle, mist | from the west-northwest (290°) at 3 knots | 5 mi | 400 ft | 683 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| CLE Cleveland, OH | 330 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,400 feet | from the west (280°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 2,400 ft | 799 ft | 02:51 UTC |
| CAK Akron, OH | 350 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,600 feet Weather: light drizzle | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 8 mi | 1,600 ft | 1,225 ft | 03:12 UTC |
| BVI Beaver Falls, PA | 400 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | reported, no category | calm | none | 1,252 ft | 19:47 UTC | |
| JST Johnstown, PA | 480 nm out, 19 nm southwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | from the east-northeast (070°) at 6 knots | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 2,284 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| RVL Reedsville, PA | 520 nm out, 18 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 818 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| MDT Harrisburg, PA | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 9 mi | 800 ft | 310 ft | 11:25 pm EDT (03:25 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,284 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MDT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:03 am EDT (07:03 UTC)
Wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for MDT
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
The forecast for RFD, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, 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
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 360 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8888 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, 380 nm along the route · security · today · ZOB
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 380 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
Daylight
Sunset at RFD 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC), at MDT 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:59 pm EDT (22:59 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MDT is before sunrise there (7:14 am EDT (11:14 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: Chicago/Rockford International, Harrisburg International.