San Diego International to Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport SAN → MEM
1,359 nautical miles (1,564 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 077°, about 066° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 33 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 60-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:38 am CDT (15:38 UTC). Right now SAN is marginal VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots; MEM is VFR, wind from the south (190°) 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: 515 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 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the first 160 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Near the route, 100 nm along the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 270 to 360 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). Near the route, 320 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 360 to 550 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 42,000 ft. Over the route from 380 to 560 nm out.
- 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 800 to 1059 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 SAN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
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 13 forecast points nearest it (SAN, BLH, PHX, ABQ, TCC, AMA, GAG, SPS, OKC, TUL, FSM, LIT, MEM). 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 | 210° at 20 kt | −11 kt | 131 kt | 10 h 22 min | 1:27 pm CDT (18:27 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 220° at 26 kt | −17 kt | 19 °C | 137 kt | 9 h 55 min | 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | −18 kt | 12 °C | 138 kt | 9 h 51 min | 12:56 pm CDT (17:56 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | −19 kt | 10 °C | 139 kt | 9 h 47 min | 12:52 pm CDT (17:52 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 24 kt | −18 kt | 6 °C | 138 kt | 9 h 51 min | 12:56 pm CDT (17:56 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 26 kt | −21 kt | 2 °C | 141 kt | 9 h 38 min | 12:43 pm CDT (17:43 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 30 kt | −23 kt | -2 °C | 143 kt | 9 h 30 min | 12:35 pm CDT (17:35 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | −26 kt | -6 °C | 146 kt | 9 h 18 min | 12:23 pm CDT (17:23 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 34 kt | −27 kt | -7 °C | 147 kt | 9 h 15 min | 12:20 pm CDT (17:20 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 44 kt | −39 kt | -18 °C | 159 kt | 8 h 33 min | 11:38 am CDT (16:38 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 60 kt | −57 kt | -28 °C | 177 kt | 7 h 41 min | 10:46 am CDT (15:46 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 61 kt | −60 kt | -37 °C | 180 kt | 7 h 33 min | 10:38 am CDT (15:38 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 51 kt | −51 kt | -48 °C | 171 kt | 7 h 57 min | 11:02 am CDT (16:02 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAN | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/11 | 200/23 7° | 210/27 4° | 210/31 -3° | 220/56 -10° | 220/56 -19° | 220/52 -30° | 220/64 -37° | 220/67 -44° |
| BLH | used from 50 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 210/13 | 200/21 11° | 200/22 5° | 210/25 -1° | 210/51 -10° | 220/61 -20° | 220/81 -29° | 220/92 -34° | 220/79 -45° |
| PHX | used from 200 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 150/5 | 200/21 12° | 200/27 6° | 200/35 3° | 220/58 -8° | 220/69 -19° | 220/87 -26° | 230/93 -35° | 230/79 -47° |
| ABQ | used from 400 nm out; 125 nm from the line | 220/27 11° | 210/35 5° | 220/46 -9° | 230/62 -20° | 240/78 -25° | 240/80 -35° | 240/56 -47° | ||
| TCC | used from 600 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 210/42 | 230/33 14° | 230/32 6° | 220/35 -6° | 230/49 -19° | 240/72 -27° | 250/62 -36° | 250/52 -48° | |
| AMA | used from 750 nm out; 27 nm from the line | 210/38 | 230/29 14° | 240/29 7° | 220/27 -5° | 240/37 -18° | 240/66 -28° | 250/59 -37° | 260/47 -49° | |
| GAG | used from 849 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 220/40 19° | 230/28 14° | 240/23 8° | 230/21 -6° | 240/31 -19° | 250/66 -29° | 260/58 -38° | 260/47 -49° | |
| SPS | used from 899 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 200/39 | 220/28 17° | 230/27 12° | 240/15 9° | 250/15 -4° | 250/24 -15° | 260/45 -28° | 270/43 -39° | 280/45 -51° |
| OKC | used from 949 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/44 | 230/32 18° | 240/13 15° | 240/10 9° | 240/20 -5° | 250/27 -16° | 260/47 -28° | 270/48 -39° | 270/45 -50° |
| TUL | used from 1049 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 210/37 | 240/29 17° | 260/15 14° | 260/11 7° | 240/22 -6° | 250/29 -16° | 270/45 -29° | 270/47 -40° | 280/44 -50° |
| FSM | used from 1099 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 210/27 | 250/23 16° | 250/20 13° | 240/17 8° | 250/18 -6° | 260/31 -16° | 280/42 -30° | 280/44 -40° | 290/38 -51° |
| LIT | used from 1199 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 220/21 | 230/17 16° | 250/24 12° | 260/15 7° | 260/13 -5° | 280/25 -16° | 290/35 -30° | 300/42 -40° | 300/40 -52° |
| MEM | used from 1299 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 230/19 | 260/16 15° | 270/17 12° | 300/13 6° | 300/15 -5° | 300/26 -18° | 300/34 -32° | 300/41 -40° | 310/46 -52° |
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 | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,400 feet, a broken layer at 2,200 feet, overcast at 3,200 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 4 mi | 2,200 ft | 16 ft | 12:51 am PDT (07:51 UTC) |
| RNM Ramona, CA | 20 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet Weather: mist | from the west (260°) at 4 knots | 5 mi | 600 ft | 1,394 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| SDL Scottsdale, AZ | 270 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,100 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 4,100 ft | 1,510 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| FFZ Mesa, AZ | 280 nm out, 14 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (130°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,394 ft | 07:54 UTC |
| BRG Belen, NM | 530 nm out, 18 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 5,199 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| FSU Fort Sumner, NM | 660 nm out, 8 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,164 ft | ||||
| HRX Hereford, TX | 750 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,787 ft | 07:50 UTC |
| CSM Burns Flat, OK | 909 nm out, 23 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 18 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,922 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| OUN Norman, OK | 989 nm out, 14 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,181 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| FSM Fort Smith, AR | 1139 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 469 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| LIT Little Rock, AR | 1249 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 266 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| MEM Memphis, TN | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 340 ft | 2:54 am CDT (07:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,199 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MEM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:38 am CDT (15:38 UTC)
Wind from the south at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MEM
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for SAN, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 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
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/2652 Coyote Wells, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 19 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 2 January · ZLA
- 6/4812 El Centro, CA, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Tuesday, July 13, 2027 Local 4 nm from the route, 60 nm along the route · security · until 13 July · ZLA
- 6/2656 Coyote Wells, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 24 nm from the route, 90 nm along the route · security · until 2 January · ZLA
- 6/2657 Calexico, CA, Saturday, July 4, 2026 through Saturday, January 2, 2027 Local 24 nm from the route, 90 nm along the route · security · until 2 January · ZLA
- 6/8722 ALAMOGORDO, NM, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, 560 nm along the route · security · starts tomorrow · ZAB
Daylight
Sunset at SAN 6:18 pm PDT (01:18 UTC), at MEM 6:29 pm CDT (23:29 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 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: San Diego International, Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport.