Plan a flight · Sun 5:46 pm PDT (00:46 UTC)

San Diego International to Rapid City Regional SAN → RAP

948 nautical miles (1,091 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 040°, about 029° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 20 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 58-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:06 am MDT (06:06 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SAN is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots; RAP is marginal VFR, wind from the northeast (050°) at 8 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

SIGMET W68W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 36,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 499 to 619 nm out.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 112355
MKCW WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 68W
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
CO NM AZ UT
FROM 30W CHE-20NNW TBE-60SE ABQ-40N SJN-30SW MTU-30W CHE
AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL360.

SIGMET W70W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 738 to 828 nm out.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 112355
MKCW WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 70W
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
MT WY
FROM 30SSW MLS-60WNW BFF-40SSE OCS-10S BPI-10S BIL-30SSW MLS
AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL320.

AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 70 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 170 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 848 nm of the route.
AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 120 to 549 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 170 to 768 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 180 to 818 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 269 to 429 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 429 to 748 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 599 to 659 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

UAL493 at 24,000 ft, 24 nm northwest, 3:54 pm PDT (22:54 UTC): moderate turbulence. 299 nm along the route, 24 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL493 3648N 11330W 2254 F240 TB MODERATE SK IN CLOUDS IC LIGHT
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
A21N at 33,000 ft, 29 nm southeast, 3:35 pm PDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mountain wave +25-30KTS. 669 nm along the route, 29 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HDN UA /OV CHE/TM 2235/FL330/TP A21N/TB MOD/RM MTN WAVE +25-30KTS
```
Report
a routine report filed through HDN
Where
over CHE
Time
22:35 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
mountain wave +25-30KTS
BE9L at 21,000 ft, 6 nm south, 4:22 pm PDT (23:22 UTC): light chop turbulence above 21,000 ft, moderate icing above 21,000 ft, -21 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 808 nm along the route, 6 nm south 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
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, 5 nm southeast, 5:22 pm PDT (00:22 UTC): remarks: bases 3,000 ft tops 5,500 ft. At the departure end, 5 nm southeast 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, 5 nm southeast, 3:52 pm PDT (22:52 UTC): overcast above 3,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 5 nm southeast 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
SR22 descending, 9 nm southeast, 3:43 pm PDT (22:43 UTC): overcast from 2,600 ft to 6,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 9 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MYF UA /OV MYF100010/TM 2243/FLUNKN/TP SR22/SK OVC026-TOP060/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through MYF
Where
10 nm east (100°) of MYF
Time
22:43 UTC
Height
height not given
Aircraft
SR22
Sky
overcast from 2,600 ft, tops 6,000 ft
Remarks
during the descent
C172 at 2,500 ft, 19 nm northwest, 3:34 pm PDT (22:34 UTC): a broken layer, remarks: bases 2,500 ft tops 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 19 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CRQ UA /OV 1 MI WEST/TM 2234/FL025/TP C172/SK BKN/RM BASES 025 TOPS 040
```
Report
a routine report filed through CRQ
Where
1 mi west
Time
22:34 UTC
Height
at 2,500 ft
Aircraft
C172
Sky
a broken layer
Remarks
bases 2,500 ft tops 4,000 ft

13 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 9 forecast points nearest it (SAN, ONT, BLH, LAS, BCE, GJT, RKS, BFF, RAP). 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	180° at 15 kt	−10 kt	11 °C	130 kt	7 h 18 min	2:04 am MDT (08:04 UTC)
7,500 ft	200° at 26 kt	−23 kt	9 °C	143 kt	6 h 38 min	1:24 am MDT (07:24 UTC)
9,500 ft	210° at 29 kt	−28 kt	7 °C	148 kt	6 h 24 min	1:10 am MDT (07:10 UTC)
11,500 ft	210° at 36 kt	−35 kt	2 °C	155 kt	6 h 07 min	12:53 am MDT (06:53 UTC)
13,500 ft	220° at 39 kt	−38 kt	-1 °C	158 kt	6 h	12:46 am MDT (06:46 UTC)
15,500 ft	210° at 41 kt	−40 kt	-5 °C	160 kt	5 h 56 min	12:42 am MDT (06:42 UTC)
17,500 ft	210° at 43 kt	−42 kt	-9 °C	162 kt	5 h 51 min	12:37 am MDT (06:37 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	210° at 44 kt	−43 kt	-10 °C	163 kt	5 h 49 min	12:35 am MDT (06:35 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	220° at 46 kt	−46 kt	-21 °C	166 kt	5 h 43 min	12:29 am MDT (06:29 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	220° at 53 kt	−53 kt	-30 °C	173 kt	5 h 29 min	12:15 am MDT (06:15 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	230° at 57 kt	−58 kt	-36 °C	178 kt	5 h 20 min	12:06 am MDT (06:06 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	230° at 58 kt	−58 kt	-45 °C	178 kt	5 h 20 min	12:06 am MDT (06:06 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°
ONT	used from 50 nm out; 72 nm from the line	230/11	200/17 6°	230/27 4°	230/32 -2°	210/39 -12°	220/51 -20°	220/48 -29°	210/51 -34°	210/52 -44°
BLH	used from 100 nm out; 59 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°
LAS	used from 150 nm out; 70 nm from the line		200/25 11°	230/22 5°	240/25 -1°	220/37 -12°	220/44 -21°	210/52 -27°	210/60 -34°	220/58 -44°
BCE	used from 299 nm out; 64 nm from the line				210/47 0°	200/50 -12°	220/31 -23°	220/56 -26°	220/58 -35°	230/58 -45°
GJT	used from 499 nm out; 66 nm from the line			210/40 11°	210/46 3°	210/61 -10°	210/68 -22°	220/57 -29°	230/59 -36°	240/66 -46°
RKS	used from 649 nm out; 76 nm from the line			190/43	210/65 3°	210/57 -9°	210/56 -21°	210/47 -33°	230/63 -37°	240/77 -46°
BFF	used from 748 nm out; 109 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°
RAP	used from 848 nm out; 75 nm from the line		120/15 12°	180/22 11°	220/26 5°	230/35 -9°	240/40 -22°	240/50 -37°	240/51 -41°	240/47 -47°

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 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,700 feet, overcast at 4,700 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	3,700 ft	16 ft	4:51 pm PDT (23:51 UTC)
RNM Ramona, CA	20 nm out, 3 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 4,300 feet Weather: mist	from the southwest (220°) at 10 knots	7 mi	1,600 ft	1,394 ft	23:53 UTC
TNP Twentynine Palms, CA	100 nm out, 8 nm north of the line	no report just now				1,888 ft
IFP Bullhead City, AZ	200 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet, a broken layer at 4,600 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet	from the south-southeast (150°) at 27 knots, gusting to 32	10+ mi	4,600 ft	707 ft	20:47 UTC
KNB Kanab, UT	349 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line	reported, no category	from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots	7 mi	none	4,867 ft	00:35 UTC
HVE Hanksville, UT	469 nm out, 8 nm south of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet	from the west-southwest (240°) at 14 knots, gusting to 29	10+ mi	none	4,453 ft	00:30 UTC
CNY Moab, UT	509 nm out, 25 nm southeast of the line	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet	from the west-southwest (240°) at 21 knots, gusting to 36	10+ mi	8,500 ft	4,579 ft	00:12 UTC
CAG Craig, CO	659 nm out, 23 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots, gusting to 24	10+ mi	none	6,197 ft	23:53 UTC
DWX Dixon, WY	679 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet	from the south-southeast (160°) at 12 knots, gusting to 16	10+ mi	none	6,548 ft	00:35 UTC
DGW Douglas, WY	818 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet	from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	4,932 ft	23:53 UTC
CUT Custer, SD	918 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line	VFR Sky: overcast at 10,000 feet	from the east-northeast (060°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	10,000 ft	5,619 ft	23:53 UTC
RAP Rapid City, SD	destination	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet	from the northeast (050°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	1,400 ft	3,203 ft	6:03 pm MDT (00:03 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 6,548 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At RAP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:06 am MDT (06:06 UTC)

Wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 4 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet IFR

30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): light rain showers, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet marginal VFR

The whole forecast for RAP

From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 4 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet
30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): light rain showers, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,500 feet, scattered clouds at 3,500 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

6/8887 Indio, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 3 nm from the route, 70 nm along the route · security · until 12 October · ZLA
6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, 190 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA

Daylight

Sunset at SAN 6:19 pm PDT (01:19 UTC), at RAP 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm MDT (00:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RAP is before sunrise there (7:02 am MDT (13:02 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 northern Rockies · 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, Rapid City Regional.