Chicago/Rockford International to Salt Lake City International RFD → SLC
1,029 nautical miles (1,185 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 273°, about 276° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 8 h 57 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 5-knot headwind), arriving about 4:44 am MDT (10:44 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RFD is VFR, wind calm; SLC is VFR, wind from the east-northeast (070°) at 3 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: 158 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 3W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 9:55 pm CDT (02:55 UTC). Near the route, 740 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 3W VALID UNTIL 0255Z MT WY FROM 10WSW MLS-70E DDY-20N LAR-50E BPI-30NE BIL-10WSW MLS AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- SIGMET 1W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 9:55 pm CDT (02:55 UTC). Near the route, 829 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 1W VALID UNTIL 0255Z CO NM WY AZ UT FROM 40NNW CHE-40WNW TBE-60WNW CME-40N SJN-40ESE MTU-40NNW CHE AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340. WIND GUSTS TO 60KT POSS.
- 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). Over the route from 140 to 320 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 420 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 370 nm of the route.
- 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 730 to 949 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 810 to 909 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 200 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 190 nm of the route.
- 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 last 70 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 RFD.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent BCS3 at 5,400 ft, 35 nm south, 6:35 pm CDT (23:35 UTC): remarks: wind shear 10 knots gain 1000 above ground on final. At the destination end, 35 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PVU UUA /OV PVU310001/TM 2335/FL054/TP BCS3/RM WIND SHEAR 10 KT GAIN 1000 AGL ON FINAL
- Report
- an urgent report filed through PVU
- Where
- 1 nm northwest (310°) of PVU
- Time
- 23:35 UTC
- Height
- at 5,400 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Remarks
- wind shear 10 knots gain 1000 above ground on final
- BE9L at 21,000 ft, 44 nm north, 6:22 pm CDT (23:22 UTC): light chop turbulence above 21,000 ft, moderate icing above 21,000 ft, -21 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 730 nm along the route, 44 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DGW UA /OV IIP200020/TM 2322/FL210/TP BE9L/SK BASE 200/TA M21/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 210/IC MOD MIX 210/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DGW
- Where
- 20 nm south (200°) of IIP
- Time
- 23:22 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Sky
- base 20,000 ft
- Temperature
- −21 °C
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop at 21,000 ft
- Icing
- moderate mix at 21,000 ft
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 49 nm south, 7:47 pm CDT (00:47 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 760 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
EGE UA /OV RLG010052/TM 0047/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB COSN MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through EGE
- Where
- 52 nm north (010°) of RLG
- Time
- 00:47 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- cosn moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-13
- A339 at 16,000 ft, 27 nm north, 6:35 pm CDT (23:35 UTC): moderate chop turbulence up to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb zlc. At the destination end, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
OGD UA /OV OGD063012/TM 2335/FL160/TP A339/TB MOD CHOP 160 BLO/RM DURC /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through OGD
- Where
- 12 nm northeast (063°) of OGD
- Time
- 23:35 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A339
- Turbulence
- moderate chop at 16,000 ft below
- Remarks
- during the climb zlc
- E75L at 14,500 ft, 24 nm north, 6:05 pm CDT (23:05 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 15,800 ft, heavy rain, remarks: during the climb zlc. At the destination end, 24 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
OGD UA /OV OGD086008/TM 2305/FL145/TP E75L/WX +RA/TB MOD 158 BLO/RM DURC /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through OGD
- Where
- 8 nm east (086°) of OGD
- Time
- 23:05 UTC
- Height
- at 14,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Weather
- heavy rain
- Turbulence
- moderate at 15,800 ft below
- Remarks
- during the climb zlc
- PA44 at 6,000 ft, 34 nm south, 6:25 pm CDT (23:25 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: runway in sight at at 6,400 ft. At the destination end, 34 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PVU UA /OV PVU310002/TM 2325/FL060/TP PA44/TB MOD /RM RWY IN SIGHT AT 064
- Report
- a routine report filed through PVU
- Where
- 2 nm northwest (310°) of PVU
- Time
- 23:25 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA44
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- runway in sight at at 6,400 ft
- B763 at 36,000 ft, 14 nm south, 5:48 pm CDT (22:48 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-33. 650 nm along the route, 14 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
BFF UA /OV BFF200020/TM 2248/FL360/TP B763/SK TOP 320-340/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC-33
- Report
- a routine report filed through BFF
- Where
- 20 nm south (200°) of BFF
- Time
- 22:48 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- top from 32,000 ft to 34,000 ft
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-33
- B752 at 35,000 ft, 14 nm north, 6:21 pm CDT (23:21 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-33. 700 nm along the route, 14 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CYS UA /OV CYS350045/TM 2321/FL350/TP B752/TB CONS LGT-MOD/RM ZDVWC-33
- Report
- a routine report filed through CYS
- Where
- 45 nm north (350°) of CYS
- Time
- 23:21 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B752
- Turbulence
- continuous light to moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-33
- C56X at 13,000 ft, 18 nm southeast, 8:33 pm CDT (01:33 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 750 nm along the route, 18 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAR UA /OV LAR/TM 0133/FL130/TP C56X/SK BASE160/TB OCNL CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAR
- Where
- over LAR
- Time
- 01:33 UTC
- Height
- at 13,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C56X
- Sky
- BASE160
- Turbulence
- occasional continuous light chop
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- UAL2395 at 37,000 ft, 20 nm north, 7:58 pm CDT (00:58 UTC): no turbulence, wind 240° at 70 knots. 889 nm along the route, 20 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2395 4135N 10900W 0058 F370 240/070KT TB NONE SK CLEAR IC NONE
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- BCS1 at 12,500 ft, 19 nm northwest, 6:09 pm CDT (23:09 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb from 8,000 ft to 12,500 ft. At the destination end, 19 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV TCH350015/TM 2309/FL125/TP BCS1/TB LGT TO MOD TURB/RM DURC 080-125
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 15 nm north (350°) of TCH
- Time
- 23:09 UTC
- Height
- at 12,500 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS1
- Turbulence
- light to moderate turbulence
- Remarks
- during the climb from 8,000 ft to 12,500 ft
- B737 at 16,000 ft, 19 nm west, 7:45 pm CDT (00:45 UTC): no turbulence, light rime icing from 13,000 ft to 17,000 ft, 8 °C, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 19 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV TCH230020/TM 0045/FL160/TP B737/TA 8/TB NEG/IC LT RIME 130-170/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 20 nm southwest (230°) of TCH
- Time
- 00:45 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- lt rime from 13,000 ft to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B38M at 16,000 ft, 14 nm west, 7:06 pm CDT (00:06 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, 13 °C, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 14 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV TCH230015/TM 0006/FL160/TP B38M/TA 13/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (230°) of TCH
- Time
- 00:06 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- 13 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the climb
- A321 at 10,000 ft, 16 nm south, 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): light chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 16 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV TCH165020/TM 0000/FL100/TP A321/TB LGT CHOP/IC NEG/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 20 nm south (165°) of TCH
- Time
- 00:00 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent
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 7 forecast points nearest it (DBQ, DSM, OMA, ONL, BFF, RKS, SLC). 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 | 200° at 16 kt | +5 kt | 17 °C | 115 kt | 8 h 57 min | 4:44 am MDT (10:44 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 210° at 17 kt | +9 kt | 16 °C | 111 kt | 9 h 16 min | 5:03 am MDT (11:03 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 210° at 26 kt | +15 kt | 12 °C | 105 kt | 9 h 48 min | 5:35 am MDT (11:35 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +20 kt | 9 °C | 100 kt | 10 h 17 min | 6:04 am MDT (12:04 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 30 kt | +23 kt | 4 °C | 97 kt | 10 h 36 min | 6:23 am MDT (12:23 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | +24 kt | 0 °C | 96 kt | 10 h 43 min | 6:30 am MDT (12:30 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 29 kt | +24 kt | -5 °C | 96 kt | 10 h 43 min | 6:30 am MDT (12:30 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 29 kt | +24 kt | -8 °C | 96 kt | 10 h 43 min | 6:30 am MDT (12:30 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 34 kt | +31 kt | -20 °C | 89 kt | 11 h 34 min | 7:21 am MDT (13:21 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 38 kt | +36 kt | -33 °C | 84 kt | 12 h 15 min | 8:02 am MDT (14:02 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 48 kt | +49 kt | -40 °C | 71 kt | 14 h 30 min | 10:17 am MDT (16:17 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 60 kt | +61 kt | -49 °C | 59 kt | 17 h 26 min | 1:13 pm MDT (19:13 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBQ | used from 0 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 220/23 | 240/22 16° | 240/24 10° | 260/18 5° | 270/16 -8° | 290/27 -19° | 310/42 -35° | 320/55 -44° | 300/71 -52° |
| DSM | used from 150 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 200/32 | 240/27 17° | 260/19 10° | 260/16 5° | 260/19 -7° | 240/22 -19° | 270/20 -32° | 270/38 -42° | 290/58 -53° |
| OMA | used from 250 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 190/34 | 230/34 19° | 250/25 12° | 250/18 6° | 250/22 -7° | 250/28 -19° | 260/34 -32° | 260/39 -41° | 280/56 -51° |
| ONL | used from 350 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 200/20 17° | 230/26 14° | 240/21 7° | 250/27 -9° | 260/32 -19° | 240/44 -34° | 240/56 -41° | 250/62 -51° | |
| BFF | used from 550 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 120/24 | 180/31 13° | 210/26 7° | 230/25 -7° | 240/41 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 250/56 -41° | 260/57 -45° | |
| RKS | used from 750 nm out; 118 nm from the line | 190/43 | 210/65 3° | 210/57 -9° | 210/56 -21° | 210/47 -33° | 230/63 -37° | 240/77 -46° | ||
| SLC | used from 949 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 280/8 | 210/39 5° | 210/52 -1° | 200/50 -11° | 200/56 -23° | 220/61 -28° | 230/73 -37° | 230/73 -45° |
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) |
| DBQ Dubuque, IA | 70 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,076 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| ALO Waterloo, IA | 150 nm out, 17 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 873 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| MEY Mapleton, IA | 300 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 1,116 ft | ||||
| SUX Sioux City, IA | 320 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,098 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| TIF Thedford, NE | 510 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 2,925 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| AIA Alliance, NE | 610 nm out, 9 nm north of the line | VFR | from the east (080°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,930 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| BFF Scottsbluff, NE | 650 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the east (100°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,967 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| SAA Saratoga, WY | 790 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line | reported, no category | from the south (190°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,014 ft | 01:30 UTC |
| RKS Rock Springs, WY | 889 nm out, 22 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 17 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 6,764 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| EVW Evanston, WY | 979 nm out, 20 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain | from the west-southwest (240°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 7,142 ft | 01:44 UTC |
| SLC Salt Lake City, UT | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 800 feet, scattered clouds at 1,700 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the east-northeast (070°) at 3 knots | 6 mi | 5,000 ft | 4,230 ft | 7:11 pm MDT (01:11 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,142 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SLC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:44 am MDT (10:44 UTC)
Wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind variable at 10 knots, gusting to 25, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SLC
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- At times between Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC) and 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, rain, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind variable at 10 knots, gusting to 25, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 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
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at RFD 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC), at SLC 6:52 pm MDT (00:52 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm MDT (01:19 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SLC is before sunrise there (7:35 am MDT (13:35 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, Salt Lake City International.