Seattle-Tacoma International to Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field SEA → MKC
1,302 nautical miles (1,498 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 102°, about 086° magnetic at the departure end (variation 16E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 59 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 25-knot tailwind), arriving about 3:35 pm CDT (20:35 UTC). Right now SEA is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 6 knots; MKC is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 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 route from 30 to 338 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 179 to 477 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 189 to 706 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 308 to 1004 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 487 to 676 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 745 to 884 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Near the route, 795 nm along the route.
- 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 last 288 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
- BE9L at 17,000 ft, 50 nm southwest, 2:42 am PDT (09:42 UTC): light rime icing from 15,000 ft to 17,000 ft, 0 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 706 nm along the route, 50 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CPR UA /OV DDY250025/TM 0942/FL170/TP BE9L/TA 00/IC LGT RIME 150-170/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CPR
- Where
- 25 nm west (250°) of DDY
- Time
- 09:42 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime from 15,000 ft to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- zdvwc
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 11 forecast points nearest it (SEA, YKM, LWS, DLN, BIL, LND, RAP, BFF, ONL, GRI, MKC). 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 | 260° at 17 kt | −12 kt | 22 °C | 132 kt | 9 h 52 min | 4:28 pm CDT (21:28 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 250° at 14 kt | −10 kt | 6 °C | 130 kt | 10 h 01 min | 4:37 pm CDT (21:37 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 240° at 15 kt | −9 kt | 3 °C | 129 kt | 10 h 06 min | 4:42 pm CDT (21:42 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 16 kt | −8 kt | 0 °C | 128 kt | 10 h 10 min | 4:46 pm CDT (21:46 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 15 kt | −6 kt | -4 °C | 126 kt | 10 h 20 min | 4:56 pm CDT (21:56 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 15 kt | −5 kt | -8 °C | 125 kt | 10 h 25 min | 5:01 pm CDT (22:01 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 14 kt | −3 kt | -13 °C | 123 kt | 10 h 35 min | 5:11 pm CDT (22:11 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 14 kt | −3 kt | -14 °C | 123 kt | 10 h 35 min | 5:11 pm CDT (22:11 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 29 kt | −8 kt | -25 °C | 128 kt | 10 h 10 min | 4:46 pm CDT (21:46 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 35 kt | −20 kt | -33 °C | 140 kt | 9 h 18 min | 3:54 pm CDT (20:54 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 39 kt | −23 kt | -37 °C | 143 kt | 9 h 06 min | 3:42 pm CDT (20:42 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 43 kt | −25 kt | -44 °C | 145 kt | 8 h 59 min | 3:35 pm CDT (20:35 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 350/5 | 010/6 0° | 010/9 -4° | 010/27 -6° | 010/51 -15° | 360/58 -26° | 360/60 -41° | 350/55 -48° | 340/30 -45° |
| YKM | used from 50 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 360/6 | 360/11 -1° | 030/20 -7° | 040/21 -11° | 020/55 -18° | 010/84 -26° | 010/79 -40° | 010/45 -42° | 350/23 -42° |
| LWS | used from 149 nm out; 53 nm from the line | L/V | 340/5 -3° | L/V -6° | 040/7 -10° | 100/23 -22° | 180/30 -31° | 190/11 -34° | 200/11 -36° | 220/23 -40° |
| DLN | used from 348 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 190/10 -4° | 220/23 -4° | 210/21 -18° | 210/43 -28° | 210/60 -33° | 210/72 -37° | 210/67 -44° | ||
| BIL | used from 497 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 300/14 | 270/19 -2° | 260/26 -2° | 220/28 -13° | 210/51 -25° | 220/56 -33° | 220/61 -39° | 220/72 -45° | |
| LND | used from 646 nm out; 102 nm from the line | 240/10 3° | 240/30 0° | 220/42 -13° | 230/52 -23° | 220/54 -33° | 220/52 -36° | 220/53 -44° | ||
| RAP | used from 745 nm out; 94 nm from the line | 250/28 16° | 260/31 10° | 240/25 4° | 210/35 -10° | 200/45 -23° | 230/47 -31° | 230/47 -36° | 230/51 -46° | |
| BFF | used from 795 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 280/28 | 260/39 11° | 240/34 5° | 210/38 -11° | 210/52 -22° | 230/61 -31° | 230/61 -36° | 240/56 -45° | |
| ONL | used from 944 nm out; 106 nm from the line | 250/31 22° | 230/27 16° | 220/25 8° | 230/25 -9° | 220/29 -22° | 250/42 -33° | 250/48 -36° | 250/52 -46° | |
| GRI | used from 994 nm out; 80 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° | |
| MKC | used from 1192 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 240/49 | 240/21 20° | 220/19 13° | 230/21 6° | 260/26 -7° | 250/37 -19° | 270/66 -31° | 270/65 -38° | 280/60 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA Seattle, WA | departure | VFR | from the southeast (130°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 432 ft | 3:53 am PDT (10:53 UTC) |
| MWH Moses Lake, WA | 119 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northwest (340°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,188 ft | 10:52 UTC |
| LWS Lewiston, ID | 229 nm out, 9 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 1,442 ft | 10:56 UTC |
| HRF Hamilton, MT | 348 nm out, 21 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 3,635 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| EKS Ennis, MT | 457 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 1,000 ft | 5,432 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| COD Cody, WY | 576 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet | from the north (010°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 5,102 ft | 10:56 UTC |
| CDR Chadron, NE | 855 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the north (360°) at 3 knots | 3 mi | 300 ft | 3,297 ft | 11:01 UTC |
| BBW Broken Bow, NE | 1033 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 2,546 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| GRI Grand Island, NE | 1103 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,847 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| FLV Fort Leavenworth, KS | 1282 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 771 ft | ||||
| MKC Kansas City, MO | destination | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 756 ft | 5:54 am CDT (10:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,432 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MKC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:35 pm CDT (20:35 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 28, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MKC
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 28, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for SEA, the departure
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): wind light and variable, 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
- From Tue 4:00 am PDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 10,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at SEA 6:25 pm PDT (01:25 UTC), at MKC 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:11 pm CDT (00:11 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, Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field.