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 38 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 37-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:26 am EDT (05:26 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RFD is VFR, wind calm; MDT is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 6 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 2E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 9:55 pm CDT (02:55 UTC). Over the last 10 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120055 MKCE WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 2E VALID UNTIL 0255Z CT NY NJ PA DE MD AND NJ NY CT CSTL WTRS FROM 30NE SAX-30SSW HTO-30ESE EMI-50WSW HAR-30NE SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22020KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- 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 340 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.
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
- A321 at 30,000 ft, 44 nm south, 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: zob. 460 nm along the route, 44 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
2G9 UA /OV IHD/TM 2349/FL300/TP A321/TB MOD 300/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through 2G9
- Where
- over IHD
- Time
- 23:49 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- moderate at 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- 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
- B39M at 35,000 ft, 31 nm south, 7:29 pm CDT (00:29 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: smooth. 70 nm along the route, 31 nm south 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, 11 nm north, 7:04 pm CDT (00:04 UTC): no turbulence. 90 nm along the route, 11 nm north 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
- B38M at 31,000 ft, 28 nm north, 7:04 pm CDT (00:04 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 31,000 ft. 160 nm along the route, 28 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
AZO UA /OV AZO/TM 0004/FL310/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP 310 BLO
- Report
- a routine report filed through AZO
- Where
- over AZO
- Time
- 00:04 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop at 31,000 ft below
- F2TH at 3,100 ft, 34 nm north, 6:40 pm CDT (23:40 UTC): remarks: tops 3,100 ft. 170 nm along the route, 34 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
AZO UA /OV BTL/TM 2340/FL031/TP F2TH/RM TOPS 031
- Report
- a routine report filed through AZO
- Where
- over BTL
- Time
- 23:40 UTC
- Height
- at 3,100 ft
- Aircraft
- F2TH
- Remarks
- tops 3,100 ft
- E145 at 2,600 ft, 44 nm south, 6:05 pm CDT (23:05 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 190 nm along the route, 44 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FWA UA /OV FWA/TM 2305/FL026/TP E145/SK B026
- Report
- a routine report filed through FWA
- Where
- over FWA
- Time
- 23:05 UTC
- Height
- at 2,600 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- B026
- 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
- UAL2761 at 33,000 ft, 4 nm west, 6:24 pm CDT (23:24 UTC): no turbulence, wind 310° at 40 knots. 200 nm along the route, 4 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2761 4139N 08447W 2324 F330 310/040KT TB SMTH IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- 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
- A320 climbing, 5 nm north, 7:14 pm CDT (00:14 UTC): overcast. 240 nm along the route, 5 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0014/FLDURC/TP A320/SK B025 OVC T040
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 00:14 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- B025 overcast T040
- E55P descending, 45 nm north, 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 240 nm along the route, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
YIP UA /OV KYIP/TM 2300/FLDURD/TP E55P/SK B015
- Report
- a routine report filed through YIP
- Where
- over KYIP
- Time
- 23:00 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E55P
- Sky
- B015
- A320 descending, 5 nm north, 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): overcast from 1,600 ft to 3,500 ft, wind 350° at 9 knots. 240 nm along the route, 5 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 2300/FLDURD/TP A320/SK OVC016 TOP035/WV 35009KTS AT 023
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOL
- Where
- over TOL
- Time
- 23:00 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 1,600 ft, tops 3,500 ft
- Wind
- wind from 350° at 9 knots at at 2,300 ft
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 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 | 320° at 5 kt | −4 kt | 124 kt | 4 h 36 min | 2:24 am EDT (06:24 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 320° at 11 kt | −9 kt | 13 °C | 129 kt | 4 h 25 min | 2:13 am EDT (06:13 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 320° at 12 kt | −9 kt | 11 °C | 129 kt | 4 h 25 min | 2:13 am EDT (06:13 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 320° at 11 kt | −8 kt | 8 °C | 128 kt | 4 h 27 min | 2:15 am EDT (06:15 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 330° at 11 kt | −7 kt | 4 °C | 127 kt | 4 h 29 min | 2:17 am EDT (06:17 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 320° at 12 kt | −8 kt | 0 °C | 128 kt | 4 h 27 min | 2:15 am EDT (06:15 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 310° at 12 kt | −10 kt | -5 °C | 130 kt | 4 h 23 min | 2:11 am EDT (06:11 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 300° at 13 kt | −12 kt | -9 °C | 132 kt | 4 h 19 min | 2:07 am EDT (06:07 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 14 kt | −12 kt | -10 °C | 132 kt | 4 h 19 min | 2:07 am EDT (06:07 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 16 kt | −13 kt | -22 °C | 133 kt | 4 h 17 min | 2:05 am EDT (06:05 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 29 kt | −27 kt | -35 °C | 147 kt | 3 h 53 min | 1:41 am EDT (05:41 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 270° at 33 kt | −31 kt | -42 °C | 151 kt | 3 h 46 min | 1:34 am EDT (05:34 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 38 kt | −37 kt | -49 °C | 157 kt | 3 h 38 min | 1:26 am EDT (05:26 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOT | used from 0 nm out; 40 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° |
| FWA | used from 100 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 350/9 | 350/24 15° | 360/25 9° | 360/29 4° | 350/31 -10° | 340/39 -22° | 330/40 -37° | 320/38 -43° | 320/48 -48° |
| CLE | used from 250 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 340/5 | 320/13 14° | 300/12 8° | 310/10 2° | 310/14 -10° | 340/14 -23° | 320/27 -35° | 260/28 -40° | 250/36 -48° |
| AGC | used from 400 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 140/12 | 350/10 12° | L/V 9° | L/V 3° | 200/11 -11° | 220/21 -22° | 220/47 -33° | 230/51 -39° | 230/45 -48° |
| PSB | used from 450 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 260/13 13° | 220/12 8° | 220/11 4° | 230/27 -11° | 210/31 -21° | 220/73 -32° | 220/75 -40° | 230/66 -50° |
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: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 742 ft | 7:54 pm CDT (00:54 UTC) |
| PWK Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, IL | 50 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, a few clouds at 10,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 644 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| MDW Chicago, IL | 60 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (130°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 619 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| EKM Elkhart, IN | 140 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Weather: mist | calm | 4 mi | none | 777 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| ANQ Angola, IN | 180 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | reported, no category | calm | 10+ mi | none | 995 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| TOL Toledo, OH | 240 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 400 feet, a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 2,200 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,100 ft | 683 ft | 01:22 UTC |
| CLE Cleveland, OH | 330 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,100 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 2,100 ft | 799 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| CAK Akron, OH | 350 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet | from the north (010°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 1,225 ft | 00:51 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 (060°) at 5 knots | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 2,284 ft | 01:42 UTC |
| RVL Reedsville, PA | 520 nm out, 18 nm northeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 1,100 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northeast (020°) at 5 knots | 1.75 mi | 1,100 ft | 818 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| MDT Harrisburg, PA | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northeast (020°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 310 ft | 9:28 pm EDT (01:28 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, 1:26 am EDT (05:26 UTC)
Wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, thunderstorms nearby, scattered clouds at 800 feet (thunderheads), overcast at 1,000 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for MDT
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, thunderstorms nearby, scattered clouds at 800 feet (thunderheads), overcast at 1,000 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.
