Plan a flight · Mon 8:59 am CDT (13:59 UTC)

Chicago/Rockford International to Southwest Florida International RFD → RSW

1,007 nautical miles (1,159 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 157°, about 160° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 6 h 32 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 34-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:31 pm EDT (20:31 UTC). Right now RFD is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 5 knots; RSW is VFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 10 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

AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Near the route, 499 nm along 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 RFD.

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

B38M at 38,000 ft, 28 nm northeast, 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC): moderate turbulence, no icing, remarks: ztlfd 22. 658 nm along the route, 28 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV VNA/TM 1100/FL380/TP B38M/TB MOD/IC NEG/RM ZTLFD 22
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over VNA
Time
11:00 UTC
Height
at 38,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
moderate
Icing
none
Remarks
ztlfd 22
B39M at 36,000 ft, 48 nm northeast, 8:18 am CDT (13:18 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 48 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PWK UA /OV OBK/TM 1318/FL360/TP B39M/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through PWK
Where
over OBK
Time
13:18 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Turbulence
none
B763 at 26,000 ft, 7 nm west, 6:57 am CDT (11:57 UTC): no turbulence, no icing. 239 nm along the route, 7 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EVV UA /OV OWB360045/TM 1157/FL260/TP B763/TB NEG/IC NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through EVV
Where
45 nm north (360°) of OWB
Time
11:57 UTC
Height
at 26,000 ft
Aircraft
B763
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
C525 at 41,000 ft, 7 nm northeast, 7:53 am CDT (12:53 UTC): no turbulence, -7 °C, wind 328° at 31 knots, remarks: smooth ride during the descent F410-F195. 259 nm along the route, 7 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HNB UA /OV IIU280060 /TM 1253 /FL410 /TP C525 /TA M07 /WV 32831KT /TB NEG /RM SMOOTH RIDE DURD F410-F195
```
Report
a routine report filed through HNB
Where
60 nm west (280°) of IIU
Time
12:53 UTC
Height
at 41,000 ft
Aircraft
C525
Temperature
−7 °C
Wind
from 328° at 31 knots
Turbulence
none
Remarks
smooth ride during the descent F410-F195
A320 at 28,000 ft, 21 nm southwest, 7:48 am CDT (12:48 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, clear from 28,000 ft to 60,000 ft. 279 nm along the route, 21 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EVV UA /OV OWB/TM 1248/FL280/TP A320/SK SKC/TB NEG/IC NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through EVV
Where
over OWB
Time
12:48 UTC
Height
at 28,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Sky
clear
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
E75L at 33,000 ft, 3 nm southeast, 6:09 am CDT (11:09 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZME62. 359 nm along the route, 3 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BNA UA /OV BNA045040/TM 1109/FL330/TP E75L/TB NEG/RM ZME62
```
Report
a routine report filed through BNA
Where
40 nm northeast (045°) of BNA
Time
11:09 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ZME62
SF50 at 14,000 ft, 19 nm west, 7:50 am CDT (12:50 UTC): light chop turbulence from 14,000 ft to 20,000 ft, remarks: ZME60. 419 nm along the route, 19 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BNA UA /OV BNA135040/TM 1250/FL140/TP SF50/SK SKC140/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 200-140/RM ZME60
```
Report
a routine report filed through BNA
Where
40 nm southeast (135°) of BNA
Time
12:50 UTC
Height
at 14,000 ft
Aircraft
SF50
Sky
clear from 14,000 ft
Turbulence
occasional light chop from 20,000 ft to 14,000 ft
Remarks
ZME60
B739 at 36,000 ft, 9 nm east, 6:34 am CDT (11:34 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 36. 429 nm along the route, 9 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV HCH250025/TM 1134/FL360/TP B739/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 36
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
25 nm west (250°) of HCH
Time
11:34 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 36
DA62 at 1,100 ft, 8 nm northeast, 8:05 am CDT (13:05 UTC): fog. 469 nm along the route, 8 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA 1S/TM 1305/FL011/TP DA62/SK VV002-TOP011/WX 1/8SM FG
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
cha 1S
Time
13:05 UTC
Height
at 1,100 ft
Aircraft
DA62
Sky
sky obscured from 200 ft, tops 1,100 ft
Weather
1/8SM, fog
CRJ9 at 200 ft, 8 nm northeast, 7:30 am CDT (12:30 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: visual at mins runway 20 cha. 469 nm along the route, 8 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA 1N/TM 1230/FL002/TP CRJ9/SK VV002/WX 1/8SM/RM VISUAL AT MINS RY 20 CHA
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
cha 1N
Time
12:30 UTC
Height
at 200 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
sky obscured from 200 ft
Weather
1/8SM
Remarks
visual at mins runway 20 cha
B712 at 1,500 ft, 8 nm northeast, 7:26 am CDT (12:26 UTC): remarks: during the climb runway 20 departure. 469 nm along the route, 8 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA/TM 1226/FL015/TP B712/SK TOP015/RM DURC. RY 20 DEPARTURE
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
over CHA
Time
12:26 UTC
Height
at 1,500 ft
Aircraft
B712
Sky
TOP015
Remarks
during the climb runway 20 departure
E145 at 1,000 ft, 8 nm northeast, 7:19 am CDT (12:19 UTC): remarks: during the descent runway 20 arrival weather at ils clear-air turbulence 2 mins. 469 nm along the route, 8 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA/TM 1219/FL010/TP E145/RM DURD. RY 20 ARRIVAL. WX AT ILS CAT 2 MINS
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
over CHA
Time
12:19 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
E145
Remarks
during the descent runway 20 arrival weather at ils clear-air turbulence 2 mins
C56X at 1,000 ft, 8 nm northeast, 6:04 am CDT (11:04 UTC): remarks: during the climb runway 20 departure. 469 nm along the route, 8 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA/TM 1104/FL010/TP C56X/SK TOP010/RM DURC. RY 20 DEPARTURE
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
over CHA
Time
11:04 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
C56X
Sky
TOP010
Remarks
during the climb runway 20 departure
F2TH at 41,000 ft, 21 nm southwest, 6:57 am CDT (11:57 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 02. 509 nm along the route, 21 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV RMG270015/TM 1157/FL410/TP F2TH/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 02
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
15 nm west (270°) of RMG
Time
11:57 UTC
Height
at 41,000 ft
Aircraft
F2TH
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 02

11 more routine reports are on the map.

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 10 forecast points nearest it (JOT, IND, EVV, BNA, HSV, ATL, CSG, TLH, JAX, PIE). 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	310° at 18 kt	−15 kt		135 kt	7 h 28 min	5:27 pm EDT (21:27 UTC)
5,500 ft	310° at 18 kt	−16 kt		136 kt	7 h 24 min	5:23 pm EDT (21:23 UTC)
7,500 ft	320° at 16 kt	−15 kt	13 °C	135 kt	7 h 28 min	5:27 pm EDT (21:27 UTC)
9,500 ft	310° at 14 kt	−13 kt	10 °C	133 kt	7 h 34 min	5:33 pm EDT (21:33 UTC)
11,500 ft	300° at 15 kt	−12 kt	7 °C	132 kt	7 h 38 min	5:37 pm EDT (21:37 UTC)
13,500 ft	300° at 17 kt	−13 kt	3 °C	133 kt	7 h 34 min	5:33 pm EDT (21:33 UTC)
15,500 ft	300° at 19 kt	−15 kt	-1 °C	135 kt	7 h 28 min	5:27 pm EDT (21:27 UTC)
17,500 ft	300° at 22 kt	−17 kt	-5 °C	137 kt	7 h 21 min	5:20 pm EDT (21:20 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	300° at 22 kt	−17 kt	-6 °C	137 kt	7 h 21 min	5:20 pm EDT (21:20 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	300° at 25 kt	−20 kt	-18 °C	140 kt	7 h 12 min	5:11 pm EDT (21:11 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	300° at 32 kt	−26 kt	-33 °C	146 kt	6 h 54 min	4:53 pm EDT (20:53 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	310° at 39 kt	−34 kt	-41 °C	154 kt	6 h 32 min	4:31 pm EDT (20:31 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	310° at 36 kt	−32 kt	-51 °C	152 kt	6 h 38 min	4:37 pm EDT (20:37 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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; 36 nm from the line	250/25	260/22 14°	250/17 9°	270/21 5°	280/28 -8°	280/36 -20°	270/41 -35°	280/57 -42°	290/65 -50°
IND	used from 150 nm out; 62 nm from the line	270/22	290/19 15°	270/19 8°	270/18 4°	290/28 -7°	280/35 -20°	270/37 -34°	300/51 -42°	300/61 -51°
EVV	used from 199 nm out; 45 nm from the line	270/25	290/17 15°	260/10 8°	270/16 5°	280/29 -6°	280/33 -19°	290/38 -33°	300/53 -41°	310/54 -51°
BNA	used from 299 nm out; 66 nm from the line	300/20	300/14 15°	300/14 10°	300/13 4°	310/22 -5°	280/24 -18°	310/37 -33°	310/50 -41°	320/49 -51°
HSV	used from 449 nm out; 74 nm from the line	300/20	310/14 16°	310/18 10°	310/15 4°	320/19 -5°	290/16 -18°	320/36 -32°	320/47 -41°	330/42 -50°
ATL	used from 499 nm out; 38 nm from the line	330/32	340/36 17°	350/34 10°	340/25 6°	330/27 -6°	350/35 -18°	330/49 -32°	340/47 -41°	340/27 -51°
CSG	used from 598 nm out; 35 nm from the line	330/27	340/28 16°	350/28 11°	330/17 6°	340/25 -6°	350/33 -18°	330/46 -32°	340/45 -41°	350/31 -52°
TLH	used from 698 nm out; 54 nm from the line	340/23	350/26 17°	350/21 11°	300/13 6°	320/25 -6°	340/35 -16°	350/44 -32°	360/51 -42°	350/33 -52°
JAX	used from 798 nm out; 90 nm from the line	310/22	310/19 16°	300/22 14°	290/25 8°	300/25 -7°	300/24 -18°	270/20 -33°	260/25 -41°	290/17 -51°
PIE	used from 848 nm out; 45 nm from the line	360/10	340/12 18°	330/9 13°	290/12 8°	260/21 -7°	280/18 -18°	250/20 -33°	250/26 -41°	250/20 -51°

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 12,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	742 ft	8:54 am CDT (13:54 UTC)
ARR Chicago/Aurora, IL	30 nm out, 16 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots	9 mi	none	712 ft	13:52 UTC
HUF Terre Haute, IN	179 nm out, 12 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	589 ft	13:53 UTC
OWB Owensboro, KY	279 nm out, 21 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	407 ft	13:56 UTC
BWG Bowling Green, KY	339 nm out, 6 nm west of the line	VFR	from the east-southeast (110°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	547 ft	13:53 UTC
CHA Chattanooga, TN	469 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line, tower	low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog	from the west (270°) at 3 knots	0.25 mi	200 ft	682 ft	13:53 UTC
FTY Atlanta, GA	548 nm out, 12 nm east of the line, tower	reported, no category	from the north-northwest (330°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	841 ft	13:53 UTC
ABY Albany, GA	678 nm out, 19 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the northwest (310°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	196 ft	12:53 UTC
VLD Valdosta, GA	738 nm out, 10 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	203 ft	13:53 UTC
BKV Brooksville, FL	887 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the north (350°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	76 ft	13:53 UTC
PGD Punta Gorda, FL	977 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the north-northeast (030°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	25 ft	13:53 UTC
RSW Fort Myers, FL	destination	VFR	from the north-northeast (030°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	29 ft	9:53 am EDT (13:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 841 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At RSW when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:31 pm EDT (20:31 UTC)

Wind from the north-northeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for RSW

From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
At times between Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) and 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): a broken layer at 1,200 feet
From Mon 3:00 pm EDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

The forecast for RFD, the departure

From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 23, 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
From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
From Tue 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet

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

6/8928 Atlanta, GA, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 9 nm from the route, 558 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZTL
6/6783 Perry, GA, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 19, 2026 UTC 20 nm from the route, 638 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 19 October · ZTL

Daylight

Sunset at RFD 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC), at RSW 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:25 pm EDT (23:25 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 upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the lower 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: Chicago/Rockford International, Southwest Florida International.