Plan a flight · Sun 7:10 pm PDT (02:10 UTC)

Seattle-Tacoma International to Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field SEA → MSN

1,406 nautical miles (1,617 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 088°, about 072° magnetic at the departure end (variation 16E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 10 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 52-knot tailwind), arriving about 5:20 am CDT (10:20 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SEA is VFR, wind from the north (360°) at 7 knots; MSN 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: 8 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 150 nm of the route.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 16,000 ft. Over the route from 110 to 478 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 229 to 558 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 887 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 269 to 847 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 1017 to 1087 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). Near the route, 1256 nm along 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

E75L at 14,000 ft, 47 nm south, 4:22 pm PDT (23:22 UTC): moderate turbulence from 14,000 ft to 21,000 ft, remarks: during the climb zlc. 339 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MSO UA /OV 32S/TM 2322/FL140/TP E75L/TB MOD 140-210/RM DURC /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through MSO
Where
over 32S
Time
23:22 UTC
Height
at 14,000 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
moderate from 14,000 ft to 21,000 ft
Remarks
during the climb zlc
A321 at 13,500 ft, 36 nm south, 6:54 pm PDT (01:54 UTC): remarks: zse. At the departure end, 36 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SEA UA /OV SEA120045/TM 0154/FL135/TP A321/SK TOP130/RM ZSE
```
Report
a routine report filed through SEA
Where
45 nm southeast (120°) of SEA
Time
01:54 UTC
Height
at 13,500 ft
Aircraft
A321
Sky
TOP130
Remarks
zse
PC12 at 13,000 ft, 36 nm south, 5:42 pm PDT (00:42 UTC): remarks: zse. At the departure end, 36 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
YKM UA /OV YKM270050/TM 0042/FL130/TP PC12/SK TOP130/RM -ZSE
```
Report
a routine report filed through YKM
Where
50 nm west (270°) of YKM
Time
00:42 UTC
Height
at 13,000 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Sky
TOP130
Remarks
zse
PC12 at 15,000 ft, 36 nm south, 5:42 pm PDT (00:42 UTC): remarks: zse. At the departure end, 36 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
YKM UA /OV YKM270050/TM 0042/FL150/TP PC12/SK TOP130/RM -ZSE
```
Report
a routine report filed through YKM
Where
50 nm west (270°) of YKM
Time
00:42 UTC
Height
at 15,000 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Sky
TOP130
Remarks
zse
SB20 at 16,000 ft, 23 nm north, 6:52 pm PDT (01:52 UTC): remarks: zse. At the departure end, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PAE UA /OV PAE075045/TM 0152/FL160/TP SB20/SK TOP120/RM ZSE
```
Report
a routine report filed through PAE
Where
45 nm east (075°) of PAE
Time
01:52 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
SB20
Sky
TOP120
Remarks
zse
PC12 at 13,500 ft, 48 nm south, 6:08 pm PDT (01:08 UTC): no turbulence, a trace of icing, overcast from 9,000 ft to 13,500 ft, -10 °C. 140 nm along the route, 48 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PSC UA /OV PSC360025/TM 0108/FL135/TP PC12/SK OVC090-TOP135/TA M10/TB NEG /IC TRACE RM 135-090
```
Report
a routine report filed through PSC
Where
25 nm north (360°) of PSC
Time
01:08 UTC
Height
at 13,500 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Sky
overcast from 9,000 ft, tops 13,500 ft
Temperature
−10 °C
Turbulence
none
Icing
trace remarks from 13,500 ft to 9,000 ft
BCS1 at 3,700 ft, 25 nm south, 6:47 pm PDT (01:47 UTC): snow, rain, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. 339 nm along the route, 25 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 0147/FL037/TP BCS1/SK 037/WX SN RA/RM DURD ILS RY 12
```
Report
a routine report filed through MSO
Where
over MSO
Time
01:47 UTC
Height
at 3,700 ft
Aircraft
BCS1
Sky
at 3,700 ft
Weather
snow, rain
Remarks
during the descent ils runway 12
C25B at 4,100 ft, 25 nm south, 5:36 pm PDT (00:36 UTC): no icing, overcast above 4,100 ft, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. 339 nm along the route, 25 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 0036/FL041/TP C25B/SK OVC041/IC NEG/RM DURD ILS RY 12
```
Report
a routine report filed through MSO
Where
over MSO
Time
00:36 UTC
Height
at 4,100 ft
Aircraft
C25B
Sky
overcast from 4,100 ft
Icing
none
Remarks
during the descent ils runway 12
CRJ2 at 2,900 ft, 42 nm north, 5:05 pm PDT (00:05 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 797 nm along the route, 42 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DIK UA /OV DIK/TM 0005/FL029/TP CRJ2/SK BASE029
```
Report
a routine report filed through DIK
Where
over DIK
Time
00:05 UTC
Height
at 2,900 ft
Aircraft
CRJ2
Sky
BASE029
B39M at 35,000 ft, 9 nm southwest, 4:28 pm PDT (23:28 UTC): light chop turbulence. 987 nm along the route, 9 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ABR UA /OV ABR230015/TM 2328/FL350/TP B39M/TB LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through ABR
Where
15 nm southwest (230°) of ABR
Time
23:28 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Turbulence
light chop
BE20 at 14,000 ft, 49 nm south, 5:20 pm PDT (00:20 UTC): light turbulence. 1077 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FSD UA /OV FSD340035/TM 0020/FL140/TP BE20/TB CONS LGT/ NEG 120
```
Report
a routine report filed through FSD
Where
35 nm north (340°) of FSD
Time
00:20 UTC
Height
at 14,000 ft
Aircraft
BE20
Turbulence
continuous light no at 12,000 ft
B39M at 34,000 ft, 10 nm north, 4:25 pm PDT (23:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. 1186 nm along the route, 10 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MSP UA /OV MSP240040/TM 2325/FL340/TP B39M/TB LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through MSP
Where
40 nm southwest (240°) of MSP
Time
23:25 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Turbulence
light chop
E295 at 37,000 ft, 46 nm east, 5:53 pm PDT (00:53 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the destination end, 46 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
UES UA /OV BAE/TM 0053/FL370/TP E295/TB OCNL LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through UES
Where
over BAE
Time
00:53 UTC
Height
at 37,000 ft
Aircraft
E295
Turbulence
occasional light chop

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 13 forecast points nearest it (SEA, YKM, GEG, GPI, GTF, BIL, MLS, DIK, ABR, AXN, MSP, LSE, 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	110° at 5 kt	+6 kt	2 °C	114 kt	12 h 20 min	9:30 am CDT (14:30 UTC)
7,500 ft	160° at 4 kt	+4 kt	6 °C	116 kt	12 h 07 min	9:17 am CDT (14:17 UTC)
9,500 ft	200° at 7 kt	0	2 °C	120 kt	11 h 43 min	8:53 am CDT (13:53 UTC)
11,500 ft	220° at 12 kt	−5 kt	0 °C	125 kt	11 h 15 min	8:25 am CDT (13:25 UTC)
13,500 ft	220° at 16 kt	−8 kt	-4 °C	128 kt	10 h 59 min	8:09 am CDT (13:09 UTC)
15,500 ft	230° at 19 kt	−12 kt	-8 °C	132 kt	10 h 39 min	7:49 am CDT (12:49 UTC)
17,500 ft	230° at 23 kt	−15 kt	-12 °C	135 kt	10 h 25 min	7:35 am CDT (12:35 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 24 kt	−16 kt	-13 °C	136 kt	10 h 20 min	7:30 am CDT (12:30 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	240° at 31 kt	−23 kt	-23 °C	143 kt	9 h 50 min	7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	240° at 38 kt	−27 kt	-36 °C	147 kt	9 h 34 min	6:44 am CDT (11:44 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 45 kt	−38 kt	-43 °C	158 kt	8 h 54 min	6:04 am CDT (11:04 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 56 kt	−52 kt	-49 °C	172 kt	8 h 10 min	5:20 am CDT (10:20 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
SEA	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	360/9	350/10 1°	010/10 -5°	030/20 -11°	020/60 -17°	010/86 -26°	360/90 -40°	010/68 -42°	360/31 -43°
YKM	used from 50 nm out; 54 nm from the line	030/16	020/18 0°	030/30 -8°	030/23 -13°	020/40 -23°	010/73 -29°	010/54 -36°	360/29 -37°	330/16 -40°
GEG	used from 100 nm out; 70 nm from the line		050/18 -2°	060/19 -8°	L/V -11°	160/11 -24°	190/17 -31°	200/19 -35°	220/14 -37°	250/11 -41°
GPI	used from 249 nm out; 77 nm from the line		060/19 -3°	110/11 -8°	130/6 -8°	200/40 -19°	190/58 -28°	200/101 -39°	220/73 -43°	230/41 -43°
GTF	used from 349 nm out; 72 nm from the line		070/21	080/18 -6°	120/5 -5°	180/30 -14°	200/53 -24°	210/80 -38°	220/83 -44°	230/68 -46°
BIL	used from 498 nm out; 80 nm from the line		080/24	130/14 -1°	180/33 0°	210/43 -10°	220/58 -21°	200/55 -36°	220/75 -44°	240/83 -48°
MLS	used from 598 nm out; 53 nm from the line		120/22 5°	170/18 4°	200/33 1°	230/49 -10°	230/58 -21°	220/54 -37°	230/64 -44°	250/74 -49°
DIK	used from 748 nm out; 44 nm from the line		110/15 6°	200/17 5°	230/31 1°	240/47 -10°	240/52 -20°	230/52 -36°	240/57 -45°	250/67 -51°
ABR	used from 897 nm out; 70 nm from the line	030/24	220/5 16°	230/18 12°	230/32 5°	240/38 -10°	250/37 -20°	240/40 -35°	240/56 -44°	250/72 -52°
AXN	used from 1047 nm out; 73 nm from the line	L/V	220/23 17°	230/24 12°	240/25 5°	260/32 -11°	260/40 -21°	270/50 -35°	270/57 -45°	270/81 -55°
MSP	used from 1146 nm out; 56 nm from the line	200/28	240/30 19°	240/24 12°	240/17 5°	270/24 -10°	270/33 -20°	280/48 -35°	290/55 -45°	280/84 -54°
LSE	used from 1246 nm out; 42 nm from the line	220/33	250/29 17°	250/15 9°	260/12 6°	280/21 -9°	280/33 -20°	300/43 -36°	310/56 -45°	300/79 -53°
DBQ	used from 1396 nm out; 72 nm from the line	220/23	240/22 16°	240/24 10°	260/18 5°	270/16 -8°	290/27 -19°	310/42 -35°	320/55 -44°	300/71 -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
SEA Seattle, WA	departure	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet	from the north (360°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	432 ft	6:53 pm PDT (01:53 UTC)
MWH Moses Lake, WA	120 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet	from the east (080°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	9,000 ft	1,188 ft	01:52 UTC
GEG Spokane, WA	189 nm out, 11 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet	from the northeast (040°) at 11 knots	10+ mi	6,000 ft	2,385 ft	01:53 UTC
MSO Missoula, MT	339 nm out, 24 nm south of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,300 feet Weather: light snow, mist	calm	6 mi	2,300 ft	3,205 ft	01:53 UTC
GTF Great Falls, MT	439 nm out, 21 nm north of the line, tower	low IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light snow, mist	from the north (010°) at 11 knots	0.75 mi	500 ft	3,680 ft	02:06 UTC
MLS Miles City, MT	678 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line	IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 1,800 feet Weather: rain, mist	from the east-northeast (060°) at 9 knots	4 mi	700 ft	2,634 ft	01:53 UTC
BHK Baker, MT	738 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, overcast at 1,700 feet Weather: light rain	from the east (080°) at 18 knots, gusting to 28	8 mi	1,700 ft	2,980 ft	01:54 UTC
MBG Mobridge, SD	907 nm out, 12 nm south of the line	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet	from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	1,200 ft	1,716 ft	01:52 UTC
GDB Granite Falls, MN	1116 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line	VFR	from the northwest (310°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	1,047 ft	01:55 UTC
RST Rochester, MN	1256 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 12 knots	8 mi	none	1,317 ft	01:54 UTC
LSE La Crosse, WI	1316 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	655 ft	01:53 UTC
MSN Madison, WI	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south (190°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	886 ft	8:53 pm CDT (01:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 3,680 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, 5:20 am CDT (10:20 UTC)

Wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a broken layer at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for MSN

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Sun 11:00 pm CDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for SEA, the departure

From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
From Sun 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the 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 northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 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 6:27 pm PDT (01:27 UTC), at MSN 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:48 pm CDT (23:48 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MSN is before sunrise there (7:07 am CDT (12:07 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 Northwest · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the northern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · 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: Seattle-Tacoma International, Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field.