Plan a flight · Sun 6:03 pm PDT (01:03 UTC)

San Diego International to Des Moines International SAN → DSM

1,239 nautical miles (1,425 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 058°, about 047° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 44 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 64-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:47 am CDT (07:47 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SAN is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots; DSM is VFR, wind from the south (170°) 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: 17 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 SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 40 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 130 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 110 to 669 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 200 to 599 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 210 to 260 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 230 to 729 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 280 to 340 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 390 to 439 nm out.
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). Near the route, 559 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 SAN.

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

urgent GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 28 nm northwest, 4:57 pm PDT (23:57 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv. 479 nm along the route, 28 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FMN UUA /OV RSK280050/TM 2357/FL450/TP GLF6/TB SEV/RM A/C HAD TO EXIT AUTO PILOT, 45 DEGREE PITCH-ZDV
```
Report
an urgent report filed through FMN
Where
50 nm west (280°) of RSK
Time
23:57 UTC
Height
at 45,000 ft
Aircraft
GLF6
Turbulence
severe
Remarks
a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv
GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 29 nm northwest, 5:15 pm PDT (00:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 489 nm along the route, 29 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FMN UA /OV RSK290045/TM 0015/FL430/TP GLF4/TB CONS MOD/RM ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through FMN
Where
45 nm west (290°) of RSK
Time
00:15 UTC
Height
at 43,000 ft
Aircraft
GLF4
Turbulence
continuous moderate
Remarks
zdvwc
E545 at 45,000 ft, 9 nm southeast, 3:29 pm PDT (22:29 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 499 nm along the route, 9 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FMN UA /OV RSK2950301/TM 2229/FL450/TP E545/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through FMN
Where
301 nm southwest (950°) of RSK2
Time
22:29 UTC
Height
at 45,000 ft
Aircraft
E545
Turbulence
moderate chop
Remarks
zdvwc
GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 27 nm north, 5:09 pm PDT (00:09 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-38. 539 nm along the route, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FMN UA /OV RSK360050/TM 0009/FL430/TP GLF4/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-38
```
Report
a routine report filed through FMN
Where
50 nm north (360°) of RSK
Time
00:09 UTC
Height
at 43,000 ft
Aircraft
GLF4
Turbulence
moderate chop
Remarks
ZDVWC-38
UAL2238 at 38,000 ft, 36 nm northwest, 4:44 pm PDT (23:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 244° at 64 knots. 599 nm along the route, 36 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL2238 3807N 10649W 2344 F380 244/064KT TB CONT MOD TURB IC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
B737 at 2,700 ft, 0 nm northwest, 5:08 pm PDT (00:08 UTC): remarks: bases 2,700 ft tops 5,000 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SAN UA /OV 3 MI WEST/TM 0008/FL027/TP B737/RM BASES 027 TOPS 050
```
Report
a routine report filed through SAN
Where
3 mi west
Time
00:08 UTC
Height
at 2,700 ft
Aircraft
B737
Remarks
bases 2,700 ft tops 5,000 ft
B39M at 3,400 ft, 0 nm northwest, 5:04 pm PDT (00:04 UTC): a broken layer from 3,400 ft to 4,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY27. At the departure end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0004/FL034/TP B39M/SK BKN034-TOP040/RM DURD RY27
```
Report
a routine report filed through SAN
Where
over SAN
Time
00:04 UTC
Height
at 3,400 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Sky
a broken layer from 3,400 ft, tops 4,000 ft
Remarks
during the descent RY27
B737 at 2,700 ft, 0 nm northwest, 4:18 pm PDT (23:18 UTC): remarks: bases 2,700 ft tops 4,700 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SAN UA /OV 2 MI WEST/TM 2318/FL027/TP B737/RM BASES 027 TOPS 047
```
Report
a routine report filed through SAN
Where
2 mi west
Time
23:18 UTC
Height
at 2,700 ft
Aircraft
B737
Remarks
bases 2,700 ft tops 4,700 ft
E55P at 2,700 ft, 0 nm northwest, 4:11 pm PDT (23:11 UTC): a broken layer from 2,700 ft to 3,500 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 2311/FL027/TP E55P/SK BKN027/TOP035
```
Report
a routine report filed through SAN
Where
over SAN
Time
23:11 UTC
Height
at 2,700 ft
Aircraft
E55P
Sky
a broken layer from 2,700 ft; TOP035
B739 at 2,800 ft, 0 nm northwest, 3:41 pm PDT (22:41 UTC): remarks: bases 2,800 ft tops 4,800 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SAN UA /OV 1 MI WEST/TM 2241/FL028/TP B739/RM BASES 028 TOPS 048
```
Report
a routine report filed through SAN
Where
1 mi west
Time
22:41 UTC
Height
at 2,800 ft
Aircraft
B739
Remarks
bases 2,800 ft tops 4,800 ft
C525 at 2,000 ft, 14 nm southeast, 3:11 pm PDT (22:11 UTC): remarks: bases of clouds at 2000. At the departure end, 14 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SDM UA /OV 4NM WEST/TM 2211/FL020/TP C525/RM BASES OF CLOUDS AT 2000
```
Report
a routine report filed through SDM
Where
4NM west
Time
22:11 UTC
Height
at 2,000 ft
Aircraft
C525
Remarks
bases of clouds at 2000
B38M at 2,500 ft, 0 nm northwest, 3:04 pm PDT (22:04 UTC): a broken layer from 2,500 ft to 8,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY27. At the departure end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 2204/FL025/TP B38M/SK BKN025-TOP080/RM DURD RY27
```
Report
a routine report filed through SAN
Where
over SAN
Time
22:04 UTC
Height
at 2,500 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Sky
a broken layer from 2,500 ft, tops 8,000 ft
Remarks
during the descent RY27
CL60 at 3,000 ft, 3 nm east, 5:22 pm PDT (00:22 UTC): remarks: bases 3,000 ft tops 5,500 ft. At the departure end, 3 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SEE UA /OV 4 MI WEST/TM 0022/FL030/TP CL60/RM BASES 030 TOPS 055
```
Report
a routine report filed through SEE
Where
4 mi west
Time
00:22 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
CL60
Remarks
bases 3,000 ft tops 5,500 ft
BE58 at 2,800 ft, 3 nm east, 3:52 pm PDT (22:52 UTC): overcast above 3,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 3 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SEE UA /OV SEE32005/TM 2252/FL028/TP BE58/SK OVC030/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through SEE
Where
SEE32005
Time
22:52 UTC
Height
at 2,800 ft
Aircraft
BE58
Sky
overcast from 3,000 ft
Remarks
during the descent

11 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 10 forecast points nearest it (SAN, BLH, PRC, FMN, ALS, PUB, GLD, GRI, OMA, DSM). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

Height	Average wind	Head- or tailwind	Temperature	Ground speed	Time en route	Arrival
5,500 ft	210° at 27 kt	−22 kt	19 °C	142 kt	8 h 44 min	4:47 am CDT (09:47 UTC)
7,500 ft	210° at 26 kt	−23 kt	12 °C	143 kt	8 h 40 min	4:43 am CDT (09:43 UTC)
9,500 ft	220° at 25 kt	−23 kt	10 °C	143 kt	8 h 40 min	4:43 am CDT (09:43 UTC)
11,500 ft	220° at 27 kt	−25 kt	5 °C	145 kt	8 h 33 min	4:36 am CDT (09:36 UTC)
13,500 ft	220° at 30 kt	−29 kt	1 °C	149 kt	8 h 19 min	4:22 am CDT (09:22 UTC)
15,500 ft	230° at 34 kt	−33 kt	-3 °C	153 kt	8 h 06 min	4:09 am CDT (09:09 UTC)
17,500 ft	230° at 39 kt	−38 kt	-7 °C	158 kt	7 h 51 min	3:54 am CDT (08:54 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 40 kt	−39 kt	-8 °C	159 kt	7 h 48 min	3:51 am CDT (08:51 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	230° at 47 kt	−46 kt	-19 °C	166 kt	7 h 28 min	3:31 am CDT (08:31 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	230° at 60 kt	−59 kt	-30 °C	179 kt	6 h 55 min	2:58 am CDT (07:58 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	240° at 64 kt	−64 kt	-37 °C	184 kt	6 h 44 min	2:47 am CDT (07:47 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	240° at 56 kt	−57 kt	-47 °C	177 kt	7 h	3:03 am CDT (08:03 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
SAN	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	200/10	240/19 9°	240/27 5°	230/22 -1°	220/40 -10°	220/49 -19°	220/54 -29°	220/61 -35°	220/56 -44°
BLH	used from 50 nm out; 62 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°
PRC	used from 200 nm out; 45 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°
FMN	used from 400 nm out; 79 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°
ALS	used from 549 nm out; 53 nm from the line				210/32 5°	230/48 -8°	230/49 -20°	230/78 -30°	240/74 -36°	240/61 -47°
PUB	used from 649 nm out; 29 nm from the line			210/24 16°	210/28 8°	230/43 -8°	240/42 -21°	240/77 -30°	240/72 -36°	250/51 -47°
GLD	used from 799 nm out; 26 nm from the line		190/29	200/30 15°	240/23 8°	250/39 -7°	230/39 -19°	230/57 -31°	240/67 -39°	250/62 -49°
GRI	used from 949 nm out; 66 nm from the line		210/31 19°	240/21 14°	240/17 6°	260/27 -7°	260/34 -18°	240/45 -32°	250/56 -40°	260/62 -51°
OMA	used from 1099 nm out; 24 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°
DSM	used from 1199 nm out; 20 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°

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
SAN San Diego, CA	departure	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,100 feet, overcast at 4,300 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	3,100 ft	16 ft	5:51 pm PDT (00:51 UTC)
RNM Ramona, CA	20 nm out, 8 nm north of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,600 feet, a broken layer at 2,600 feet, overcast at 3,700 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots, gusting to 12	6 mi	1,600 ft	1,394 ft	00:53 UTC
BLH Blythe, CA	130 nm out, 20 nm southeast of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet	from the southwest (220°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	399 ft	00:52 UTC
FLG Flagstaff, AZ	310 nm out, 15 nm southeast of the line, tower	IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the south-southwest (210°) at 18 knots, gusting to 31	4 mi	700 ft	7,014 ft	00:57 UTC
FMN Farmington, NM	499 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the west (270°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	5,506 ft	00:53 UTC
PUB Pueblo, CO	699 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet	from the west (280°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	none	4,729 ft	00:53 UTC
GLD Goodland, KS	849 nm out, 5 nm north of the line	VFR	from the south (180°) at 13 knots	10+ mi	none	3,657 ft	00:53 UTC
NRN Norton, KS	939 nm out, 1 nm west of the line	VFR	from the south (170°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	2,384 ft	23:35 UTC
LNK Lincoln, NE	1089 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	1,218 ft	00:54 UTC
OMA Omaha, NE	1139 nm out, 18 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet	from the south-southeast (160°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	25,000 ft	984 ft	00:52 UTC
DSM Des Moines, IA	destination	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 20,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	20,000 ft	957 ft	7:54 pm CDT (00:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 7,014 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At DSM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:47 am CDT (07:47 UTC)

Wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for DSM

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for SAN, the departure

From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,800 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet and more above
From Sun 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet

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

6/4812 El Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 Local 14 nm from the route, 70 nm along the route · security · until 13 July · ZLA
6/8887 Indio, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 22 nm from the route, 70 nm along the route · security · until 12 October · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at SAN 6:19 pm PDT (01:19 UTC), at DSM 6:38 pm CDT (23:38 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm CDT (00:06 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DSM is before sunrise there (7:23 am CDT (12:23 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 Pacific Southwest · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Plains · 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: San Diego International, Des Moines International.