Plan a flight · Mon 5:18 am PDT (12:18 UTC)

San Diego International to Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field SAN → MSN

1,450 nautical miles (1,669 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 056°, about 045° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 26 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 75-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:44 pm CDT (19:44 UTC). Right now SAN is VFR, wind from the east (090°) at 3 knots; MSN is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 7 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: 4 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 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 10 to 40 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 338 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 199 to 368 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 219 to 328 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). Over the route from 288 to 288 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 288 to 765 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 467 to 705 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). Over the route from 656 to 785 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 914 to 1361 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

A359 at 38,000 ft, 32 nm north, 3:13 am PDT (10:13 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-37. 586 nm along the route, 32 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GUC UA /OV HBU185015/TM 1013/FL380/TP A359/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-37
```
Report
a routine report filed through GUC
Where
15 nm south (185°) of HBU
Time
10:13 UTC
Height
at 38,000 ft
Aircraft
A359
Turbulence
continuous light chop
Remarks
ZDVWC-37
B738 at 11,000 ft, 6 nm north, 4:42 am PDT (11:42 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb. 705 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UA /OV BRK172014/TM 1142/FL110/TP B738/TB LGT CHOP/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through COS
Where
14 nm south (172°) of BRK
Time
11:42 UTC
Height
at 11,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
during the climb
B38M at 32,000 ft, 30 nm northwest, 4:35 am PDT (11:35 UTC): light chop turbulence above 32,000 ft. 1271 nm along the route, 30 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FOD UA /OV FOD075035/TM 1135/FL320/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP 320/INTMT LGT CHOP 340
```
Report
a routine report filed through FOD
Where
35 nm east (075°) of FOD
Time
11:35 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
continuous light chop 320/INTMT light chop at 34,000 ft
B739 at 34,000 ft, 46 nm east, 3:58 am PDT (10:58 UTC): no turbulence. At the destination end, 46 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
UES UA /OV BAE/TM 1058/FL340/TP B739/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through UES
Where
over BAE
Time
10:58 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Turbulence
none

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 12 forecast points nearest it (SAN, BLH, PRC, FMN, ALS, PUB, GLD, GRI, OMA, DSM, MCW, DBQ). 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	240° at 28 kt	−29 kt	23 °C	149 kt	9 h 44 min	5:02 pm CDT (22:02 UTC)
7,500 ft	230° at 27 kt	−27 kt	11 °C	147 kt	9 h 52 min	5:10 pm CDT (22:10 UTC)
9,500 ft	230° at 27 kt	−27 kt	8 °C	147 kt	9 h 52 min	5:10 pm CDT (22:10 UTC)
11,500 ft	230° at 30 kt	−29 kt	4 °C	149 kt	9 h 44 min	5:02 pm CDT (22:02 UTC)
13,500 ft	230° at 34 kt	−33 kt	0 °C	153 kt	9 h 29 min	4:47 pm CDT (21:47 UTC)
15,500 ft	230° at 37 kt	−37 kt	-4 °C	157 kt	9 h 14 min	4:32 pm CDT (21:32 UTC)
17,500 ft	230° at 41 kt	−40 kt	-8 °C	160 kt	9 h 04 min	4:22 pm CDT (21:22 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 42 kt	−41 kt	-9 °C	161 kt	9 h	4:18 pm CDT (21:18 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	230° at 52 kt	−52 kt	-21 °C	172 kt	8 h 26 min	3:44 pm CDT (20:44 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	240° at 66 kt	−67 kt	-30 °C	187 kt	7 h 45 min	3:03 pm CDT (20:03 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	240° at 73 kt	−75 kt	-36 °C	195 kt	7 h 26 min	2:44 pm CDT (19:44 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	240° at 69 kt	−72 kt	-47 °C	192 kt	7 h 33 min	2:51 pm CDT (19:51 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
SAN	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	240/10	220/19 6°	230/26 2°	230/29 -3°	230/43 -11°	220/61 -20°	220/72 -29°	220/75 -38°	220/71 -48°
BLH	used from 50 nm out; 63 nm from the line	240/19	210/20 10°	200/27 4°	210/34 -2°	220/59 -10°	220/67 -20°	220/75 -29°	230/78 -38°	220/90 -47°
PRC	used from 199 nm out; 49 nm from the line			200/37 6°	200/35 0°	220/60 -11°	220/71 -20°	220/88 -29°	220/98 -35°	220/94 -45°
FMN	used from 397 nm out; 83 nm from the line			220/16 6°	220/39 1°	220/50 -10°	230/67 -23°	230/94 -29°	230/102 -35°	230/90 -46°
ALS	used from 546 nm out; 63 nm from the line				240/35 3°	230/54 -9°	240/66 -19°	230/85 -26°	240/87 -34°	240/70 -47°
PUB	used from 646 nm out; 39 nm from the line			260/45 11°	240/38 6°	230/47 -8°	230/51 -19°	240/74 -29°	240/82 -35°	250/72 -48°
GLD	used from 795 nm out; 35 nm from the line		260/37	260/25 14°	250/27 8°	230/36 -8°	230/49 -21°	250/71 -30°	260/82 -36°	250/73 -48°
GRI	used from 944 nm out; 62 nm from the line		230/39 23°	230/32 15°	210/29 7°	230/31 -8°	230/43 -21°	250/52 -31°	260/59 -35°	260/59 -46°
OMA	used from 1093 nm out; 25 nm from the line	230/47	240/33 21°	230/22 13°	220/27 5°	240/35 -8°	250/43 -21°	260/47 -33°	260/59 -36°	270/58 -46°
DSM	used from 1192 nm out; 40 nm from the line	250/47	260/25 20°	240/19 11°	240/31 5°	250/26 -9°	260/38 -20°	260/47 -34°	270/58 -37°	270/61 -47°
MCW	used from 1291 nm out; 63 nm from the line	250/36	250/24 19°	240/26 11°	250/30 5°	270/22 -9°	260/30 -21°	260/31 -36°	280/53 -38°	280/66 -48°
DBQ	used from 1341 nm out; 29 nm from the line	250/27	260/23 17°	240/26 10°	260/30 4°	280/26 -9°	280/36 -21°	270/41 -36°	280/52 -41°	290/67 -48°

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 few clouds at 2,000 feet, scattered clouds at 3,100 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet	from the east (090°) at 3 knots	8 mi	4,500 ft	16 ft	4:51 am PDT (11:51 UTC)
RNM Ramona, CA	20 nm out, 8 nm north of the line, tower	IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, a broken layer at 1,600 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet Weather: mist	from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots	4 mi	900 ft	1,394 ft	12:07 UTC
CMR Williams, AZ	288 nm out, 5 nm east of the line	IFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,700 feet, overcast at 3,400 feet Weather: light rain	from the southwest (220°) at 10 knots, gusting to 22	1.75 mi	1,700 ft	6,690 ft	12:15 UTC
FLG Flagstaff, AZ	308 nm out, 24 nm southeast of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,900 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots, gusting to 16	4 mi	1,900 ft	7,014 ft	11:57 UTC
FMN Farmington, NM	507 nm out, 22 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the east-northeast (070°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	5,506 ft	11:53 UTC
COS Colorado Springs, CO	705 nm out, 11 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 13 knots	10+ mi	none	6,187 ft	11:54 UTC
SYF St Francis, KS	854 nm out, 5 nm north of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 11 knots, gusting to 16	10+ mi	none	3,429 ft	11:55 UTC
HDE Holdrege, NE	973 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	none	2,313 ft	11:55 UTC
GRI Grand Island, NE	1033 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	none	1,847 ft	11:53 UTC
BNW Boone, IA	1242 nm out, 2 nm south of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 5 knots, gusting to 11	10+ mi	none	1,160 ft	11:55 UTC
ALO Waterloo, IA	1311 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	873 ft	11:54 UTC
MSN Madison, WI	destination	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 24,000 feet	from the south (190°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	24,000 ft	886 ft	6:53 am CDT (11:53 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 MSN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:44 pm CDT (19:44 UTC)

Wind from the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for MSN

From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
From Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for SAN, the departure

From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
At times between Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC) and 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 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 southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
From Tue 12:00 am PDT (07:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
From Tue 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 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 16 nm from the route, 70 nm along the route · security · until 13 July · ZLA
6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 21 nm from the route, 189 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at SAN 6:18 pm PDT (01:18 UTC), at MSN 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:48 pm CDT (23:48 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, Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field.