Seattle-Tacoma International to Gerald R Ford International SEA → GRR
1,566 nautical miles (1,802 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 086°, about 070° magnetic at the departure end (variation 16E). At 120 knots that is 9 h 33 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 44-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:14 am EDT (15:14 UTC). Right now SEA is VFR, wind from the east (090°) at 6 knots; GRR is VFR, wind from the south (170°) 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: 3 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 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 190 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 130 to 658 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 249 to 549 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: 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 1097 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 269 to 469 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 668 to 678 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 1267 to 1407 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the last 20 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 SEA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- CL30 at 4,200 ft, 36 nm south, 8:16 pm PDT (03:16 UTC): no icing, overcast above 4,200 ft, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. 339 nm along the route, 36 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 0316/FL042/TP CL30/SK OVC042/WX 2 1/2SM/IC NEG/RM DURD ILS RY 12
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSO
- Where
- over MSO
- Time
- 03:16 UTC
- Height
- at 4,200 ft
- Aircraft
- CL30
- Sky
- overcast from 4,200 ft
- Weather
- 2, 1/2SM
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent ils runway 12
- A321 at 16,500 ft, 33 nm south, 8:25 pm PDT (03:25 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: during the climb. 1187 nm along the route, 33 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSP UA /OV MSP235040/TM 0325/FL165/TP A321/TB CONS LGT /RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSP
- Where
- 40 nm southwest (235°) of MSP
- Time
- 03:25 UTC
- Height
- at 16,500 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- during the climb
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 14 forecast points nearest it (SEA, YKM, GEG, GPI, GTF, BIL, MLS, DIK, ABR, AXN, MSP, LSE, GRB, MKG). 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 5 kt | +2 kt | 0 °C | 118 kt | 13 h 16 min | 2:57 pm EDT (18:57 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 200° at 6 kt | 0 | 6 °C | 120 kt | 13 h 03 min | 2:44 pm EDT (18:44 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 8 kt | −2 kt | 2 °C | 122 kt | 12 h 50 min | 2:31 pm EDT (18:31 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 12 kt | −6 kt | 0 °C | 126 kt | 12 h 26 min | 2:07 pm EDT (18:07 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 15 kt | −9 kt | -4 °C | 129 kt | 12 h 08 min | 1:49 pm EDT (17:49 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 240° at 18 kt | −13 kt | -8 °C | 133 kt | 11 h 46 min | 1:27 pm EDT (17:27 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 20 kt | −16 kt | -12 °C | 136 kt | 11 h 31 min | 1:12 pm EDT (17:12 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 21 kt | −17 kt | -13 °C | 137 kt | 11 h 26 min | 1:07 pm EDT (17:07 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 24 kt | −17 kt | -23 °C | 137 kt | 11 h 26 min | 1:07 pm EDT (17:07 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 27 kt | −22 kt | -37 °C | 142 kt | 11 h 02 min | 12:43 pm EDT (16:43 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 36 kt | −32 kt | -42 °C | 152 kt | 10 h 18 min | 11:59 am EDT (15:59 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 48 kt | −44 kt | -47 °C | 164 kt | 9 h 33 min | 11:14 am EDT (15:14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 050/7 | 050/11 1° | 050/12 -5° | 030/31 -7° | 010/61 -15° | 010/69 -26° | 360/73 -40° | 360/62 -47° | 330/21 -43° |
| YKM | used from 50 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 070/10 | 040/15 -1° | 020/27 -8° | 030/25 -13° | 020/48 -20° | 010/83 -27° | 010/77 -37° | 010/49 -40° | 350/14 -41° |
| GEG | used from 100 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 080/16 -2° | 050/17 -7° | 080/9 -10° | 190/33 -21° | 180/31 -32° | L/V -35° | L/V -37° | 270/8 -40° | |
| GPI | used from 249 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 070/19 -5° | 100/16 -7° | 080/10 -8° | 130/8 -19° | 170/37 -28° | 200/50 -40° | 210/43 -40° | 220/41 -42° | |
| GTF | used from 399 nm out; 20 nm from the line | 070/11 | 080/15 -7° | 110/19 -9° | 190/25 -14° | 200/34 -23° | 200/54 -39° | 220/66 -40° | 220/77 -44° | |
| BIL | used from 549 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 080/13 | 180/9 -2° | 210/38 0° | 220/51 -11° | 210/46 -22° | 210/58 -35° | 230/73 -39° | 230/72 -45° | |
| MLS | used from 599 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 150/23 2° | 190/29 4° | 210/44 2° | 220/32 -10° | 210/36 -21° | 200/48 -37° | 230/63 -40° | 240/71 -47° | |
| DIK | used from 748 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 150/24 7° | 200/38 6° | 220/53 0° | 230/51 -9° | 230/49 -21° | 240/37 -37° | 240/47 -44° | 250/65 -48° | |
| ABR | used from 898 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 070/14 | 250/10 17° | 270/16 11° | 260/28 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/41 -22° | 270/33 -37° | 260/42 -42° | 260/50 -48° |
| AXN | used from 1047 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 100/14 | 250/21 14° | 240/24 12° | 240/31 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/40 -21° | 250/42 -36° | 260/48 -45° | 260/53 -50° |
| MSP | used from 1147 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 230/26 | 240/30 17° | 240/24 12° | 250/22 5° | 250/35 -10° | 260/36 -21° | 250/41 -36° | 250/49 -45° | 260/58 -52° |
| LSE | used from 1247 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 230/40 | 240/24 17° | 240/13 10° | 250/13 6° | 280/22 -9° | 250/28 -21° | 250/41 -34° | 260/42 -44° | 270/62 -53° |
| GRB | used from 1397 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 250/36 | 270/23 16° | 270/14 9° | 240/18 4° | 280/26 -9° | 280/29 -20° | 290/42 -36° | 290/51 -45° | 290/72 -55° |
| MKG | used from 1446 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 260/22 | 290/16 15° | 300/11 10° | 290/5 3° | 300/26 -9° | 300/32 -20° | 320/48 -36° | 320/61 -45° | 310/74 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA Seattle, WA | departure | VFR | from the east (090°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 432 ft | 9:53 pm PDT (04:53 UTC) |
| MWH Moses Lake, WA | 120 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 9,000 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 1,188 ft | 04:52 UTC |
| GEG Spokane, WA | 190 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,385 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| GTF Great Falls, MT | 439 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the north (360°) at 10 knots | 2 mi | 800 ft | 3,680 ft | 05:28 UTC |
| LWT Lewistown, MT | 519 nm out, 15 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,170 ft | ||||
| GDV Glendive, MT | 708 nm out, 17 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light rain | from the northeast (050°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 400 ft | 2,458 ft | 04:56 UTC |
| DIK Dickinson, ND | 798 nm out, 11 nm north of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain | from the east-northeast (060°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23 | 7 mi | 600 ft | 2,592 ft | 05:21 UTC |
| MOX Morris, MN | 1087 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Weather: mist | from the northwest (320°) at 10 knots | 4 mi | none | 1,135 ft | 05:15 UTC |
| STP St Paul, MN | 1217 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 705 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| EAU Eau Claire, WI | 1287 nm out, 20 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 913 ft | 04:56 UTC |
| MKG Muskegon, MI | 1526 nm out, 6 nm east of the line, tower | reported, no category | from the south (170°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 628 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| GRR Grand Rapids, MI | destination | VFR Weather: mist | from the south (170°) at 3 knots | 6 mi | none | 793 ft | 12:53 am EDT (04:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,170 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At GRR when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:14 am EDT (15:14 UTC)
Wind from the south at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for GRR
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC) and 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, mist
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC) and 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, mist, overcast at 3,500 feet (thunderheads)
The forecast for SEA, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, patches of fog, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/6656 ANOKA, MN, Monday, October 5, 2026 through Monday, October 19, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, 1197 nm along the route · security · until 19 October · ZMP
Daylight
Sunset at SEA 6:27 pm PDT (01:27 UTC), at GRR 7:04 pm EDT (23:04 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:33 pm EDT (23:33 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: Seattle-Tacoma International, Gerald R Ford International.