Plan a flight · Sun 4:47 pm PDT (23:47 UTC)

Seattle-Tacoma International to Chicago/Rockford International SEA → RFD

1,438 nautical miles (1,654 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 090°, about 074° magnetic at the departure end (variation 16E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 34 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 48-knot tailwind), arriving about 3:21 am CDT (08:21 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SEA is VFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 9 knots; RFD is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 5 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: 451 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 ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 14,000 ft. Over the route from 120 to 349 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 200 to 569 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 260 to 789 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 319 to 819 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 SEA.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

E75L at 14,000 ft, 35 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, 35 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
C172 at 5,500 ft, 41 nm south, 3:17 pm PDT (22:17 UTC): a trace of rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: zse. 180 nm along the route, 41 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PUW UA /OV PUW250030/TM 2217/FL055/TP C172/TA 00/IC TRACE RIME/RM -ZSE
```
Report
a routine report filed through PUW
Where
30 nm west (250°) of PUW
Time
22:17 UTC
Height
at 5,500 ft
Aircraft
C172
Temperature
0 °C
Icing
trace rime
Remarks
zse
B739 at 3,700 ft, 13 nm south, 2:58 pm PDT (21:58 UTC): overcast above 3,700 ft, remarks: during the descent ils runway 12. 339 nm along the route, 13 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 2158/FL037/TP B739/SK OVC037/RM DURD ILS RY 12
```
Report
a routine report filed through MSO
Where
over MSO
Time
21:58 UTC
Height
at 3,700 ft
Aircraft
B739
Sky
overcast from 3,700 ft
Remarks
during the descent ils runway 12
A319 at 4,000 ft, 38 nm north, 2:13 pm PDT (21:13 UTC): no icing, overcast from 4,000 ft to 7,000 ft. 439 nm along the route, 38 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GTF UA /OV GTF030005/TM 2113/FL040/TP A319/SK OVC040-TOPS070/IC NEG ICE
```
Report
a routine report filed through GTF
Where
5 nm northeast (030°) of GTF
Time
21:13 UTC
Height
at 4,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Sky
overcast from 4,000 ft, tops 7,000 ft
Icing
no ice
PC12 at 100 ft, 44 nm south, 3:34 pm PDT (22:34 UTC): no icing. 938 nm along the route, 44 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PIR UA /OV PIR/TM 2234/FL001/TP PC12/SK BASE030-TOP045/IC NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through PIR
Where
over PIR
Time
22:34 UTC
Height
at 100 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Sky
BASE030-TOP045
Icing
none
PA24 at 2,500 ft, 44 nm south, 2:35 pm PDT (21:35 UTC): no turbulence, no icing. 938 nm along the route, 44 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PIR UA /OV PIR/TM 2135/FL025/TP PA24/SK BASE027/TB NEG/IC NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through PIR
Where
over PIR
Time
21:35 UTC
Height
at 2,500 ft
Aircraft
PA24
Sky
BASE027
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
B39M at 35,000 ft, 26 nm north, 4:28 pm PDT (23:28 UTC): light chop turbulence. 988 nm along the route, 26 nm north 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
P28S at 1,500 ft, 37 nm north, 2:52 pm PDT (21:52 UTC): no turbulence, no icing. 998 nm along the route, 37 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ABR UA /OV ABR/TM 2152/FL015/TP P28S/SK BASE025-TOP033/TB NEG/IC NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through ABR
Where
over ABR
Time
21:52 UTC
Height
at 1,500 ft
Aircraft
P28S
Sky
BASE025-TOP033
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
B39M at 34,000 ft, 50 nm northeast, 4:25 pm PDT (23:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. 1178 nm along the route, 50 nm northeast 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
C17 at 500 ft, 38 nm southeast, 2:15 pm PDT (21:15 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the destination end, 38 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
KADW UA /OV 1L ARR/TM 2115/FL005/TP C17/SK OVC005
```
Report
a routine report filed through KADW
Where
1L arrival
Time
21:15 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
C17
Sky
overcast from 500 ft

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 14 forecast points nearest it (SEA, YKM, GEG, LWS, GPI, GTF, BIL, MLS, DIK, PIR, ABR, FSD, 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	120° at 4 kt	+6 kt	5 °C	114 kt	12 h 37 min	7:24 am CDT (12:24 UTC)
7,500 ft	170° at 3 kt	+3 kt	7 °C	117 kt	12 h 17 min	7:04 am CDT (12:04 UTC)
9,500 ft	210° at 6 kt	0	2 °C	120 kt	11 h 59 min	6:46 am CDT (11:46 UTC)
11,500 ft	220° at 12 kt	−4 kt	0 °C	124 kt	11 h 36 min	6:23 am CDT (11:23 UTC)
13,500 ft	220° at 15 kt	−7 kt	-4 °C	127 kt	11 h 19 min	6:06 am CDT (11:06 UTC)
15,500 ft	230° at 18 kt	−9 kt	-8 °C	129 kt	11 h 09 min	5:56 am CDT (10:56 UTC)
17,500 ft	230° at 21 kt	−12 kt	-12 °C	132 kt	10 h 54 min	5:41 am CDT (10:41 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 21 kt	−13 kt	-13 °C	133 kt	10 h 49 min	5:36 am CDT (10:36 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	240° at 29 kt	−20 kt	-23 °C	140 kt	10 h 16 min	5:03 am CDT (10:03 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	230° at 35 kt	−24 kt	-36 °C	144 kt	9 h 59 min	4:46 am CDT (09:46 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 42 kt	−34 kt	-43 °C	154 kt	9 h 20 min	4:07 am CDT (09:07 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 53 kt	−48 kt	-48 °C	168 kt	8 h 34 min	3:21 am CDT (08:21 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; 52 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°
LWS	used from 250 nm out; 78 nm from the line	010/5	050/14 -2°	040/12 -6°	160/7 -10°	190/30 -22°	200/54 -27°	200/48 -35°	210/40 -37°	230/32 -41°
GPI	used from 299 nm out; 70 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; 77 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 499 nm out; 67 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 599 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 749 nm out; 68 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°
PIR	used from 849 nm out; 76 nm from the line		L/V 17°	230/13 12°	220/22 6°	250/31 -9°	250/34 -21°	240/50 -35°	230/61 -43°	240/62 -51°
ABR	used from 948 nm out; 42 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°
FSD	used from 1048 nm out; 50 nm from the line	200/16	220/20 17°	240/26 13°	230/19 6°	240/25 -9°	240/28 -20°	250/39 -33°	250/44 -43°	260/63 -52°
MCW	used from 1148 nm out; 72 nm from the line	200/35	240/33 18°	250/20 10°	260/10 6°	270/18 -8°	260/28 -19°	280/30 -34°	290/49 -43°	280/70 -54°
DBQ	used from 1298 nm out; 47 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 2,000 feet, a few clouds at 5,000 feet	from the north-northeast (020°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	432 ft	3:53 pm PDT (22:53 UTC)
MWH Moses Lake, WA	120 nm out, 12 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet	from the northeast (050°) at 17 knots, gusting to 24	10+ mi	none	1,188 ft	22:52 UTC
GEG Spokane, WA	190 nm out, 18 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet	from the northeast (040°) at 17 knots	10+ mi	7,500 ft	2,385 ft	22:53 UTC
MSO Missoula, MT	339 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,300 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet Weather: light rain	from the south-southwest (200°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	3,000 ft	3,205 ft	23:28 UTC
RPX Roundup, MT	569 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line	no report just now				3,490 ft
MLS Miles City, MT	679 nm out, 14 nm north of the line	IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the north-northeast (020°) at 8 knots	3 mi	600 ft	2,634 ft	22:53 UTC
HEI Hettinger, ND	809 nm out, 21 nm north of the line	low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet	from the northeast (040°) at 13 knots	10+ mi	300 ft	2,705 ft	23:18 UTC
MBG Mobridge, SD	908 nm out, 19 nm north of the line	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,300 feet	from the north-northeast (020°) at 14 knots	10+ mi	1,300 ft	1,716 ft	22:52 UTC
BKX Brookings, SD	1078 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	1,647 ft	22:56 UTC
MWM Windom, MN	1158 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line	VFR	from the south (180°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	1,410 ft	23:33 UTC
DBQ Dubuque, IA	1368 nm out, 17 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	1,076 ft	22:53 UTC
RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	742 ft	5:54 pm CDT (22:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 3,490 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At RFD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:21 am CDT (08:21 UTC)

Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for RFD

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 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 RFD 6:21 pm CDT (23:21 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RFD is before sunrise there (7:05 am CDT (12:05 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, Chicago/Rockford International.