San Francisco International to Joe Foss Field SFO → FSD
1,217 nautical miles (1,400 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 065°, about 051° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 10 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 50-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:14 am CDT (15:14 UTC). Right now SFO is VFR, wind calm; FSD is VFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 4 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: 2 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 170 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 239 to 728 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 259 to 758 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 399 to 887 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 42,000 ft. Over the route from 588 to 897 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 708 to 907 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 728 to 778 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 907 to 1127 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 SFO.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B38M at 30,000 ft, 26 nm northwest, 10:45 pm PDT (05:45 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 758 nm along the route, 26 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIW UA /OV BOY126080/TM 0545/FL300/TP B38M/TB CONS MOD CHOP /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIW
- Where
- 80 nm southeast (126°) of BOY
- Time
- 05:45 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate chop zlc
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 13 forecast points nearest it (SFO, SAC, RNO, BAM, ELY, SLC, RKS, LND, BFF, RAP, PIR, ONL, FSD). 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 | 190° at 12 kt | −5 kt | 18 °C | 125 kt | 9 h 44 min | 12:48 pm CDT (17:48 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 19 kt | −13 kt | 8 °C | 133 kt | 9 h 09 min | 12:13 pm CDT (17:13 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 21 kt | −16 kt | 5 °C | 136 kt | 8 h 57 min | 12:01 pm CDT (17:01 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | −19 kt | 1 °C | 139 kt | 8 h 45 min | 11:49 am CDT (16:49 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | −21 kt | -3 °C | 141 kt | 8 h 38 min | 11:42 am CDT (16:42 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 27 kt | −22 kt | -7 °C | 142 kt | 8 h 34 min | 11:38 am CDT (16:38 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | −24 kt | -11 °C | 144 kt | 8 h 27 min | 11:31 am CDT (16:31 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 28 kt | −24 kt | -12 °C | 144 kt | 8 h 27 min | 11:31 am CDT (16:31 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 34 kt | −29 kt | -23 °C | 149 kt | 8 h 10 min | 11:14 am CDT (16:14 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 42 kt | −37 kt | -31 °C | 157 kt | 7 h 45 min | 10:49 am CDT (15:49 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 49 kt | −47 kt | -36 °C | 167 kt | 7 h 17 min | 10:21 am CDT (15:21 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 51 kt | −50 kt | -44 °C | 170 kt | 7 h 10 min | 10:14 am CDT (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 120/13 | 090/14 5° | 040/14 -1° | 350/17 -5° | 360/42 -14° | 360/64 -23° | 350/38 -32° | 300/19 -37° | 250/18 -44° |
| SAC | used from 50 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 110/6 | L/V 4° | 010/11 -2° | 350/11 -7° | 340/24 -16° | 360/44 -23° | 330/24 -30° | 270/21 -35° | 230/23 -43° |
| RNO | used from 100 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 010/9 | 320/10 -2° | 210/23 -9° | 210/34 -19° | 220/36 -25° | 230/31 -29° | 230/41 -33° | 230/38 -42° | |
| BAM | used from 249 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 310/7 0° | 270/19 -7° | 200/38 -17° | 190/49 -28° | 220/69 -29° | 220/63 -33° | 230/48 -41° | ||
| ELY | used from 299 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 200/39 3° | 210/27 -2° | 210/45 -15° | 220/56 -24° | 210/60 -28° | 210/63 -34° | 220/61 -43° | ||
| SLC | used from 449 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 200/5 | 230/8 2° | 220/20 -2° | 210/40 -12° | 190/53 -25° | 210/62 -30° | 220/69 -34° | 220/64 -43° | |
| RKS | used from 598 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 200/41 | 220/44 1° | 220/35 -11° | 220/46 -24° | 210/53 -27° | 220/62 -35° | 230/61 -44° | ||
| LND | used from 748 nm out; 104 nm from the line | 200/23 6° | 220/31 1° | 220/39 -11° | 230/39 -23° | 220/51 -28° | 220/66 -37° | 230/68 -45° | ||
| BFF | used from 798 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° | |
| RAP | used from 947 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 180/23 12° | 200/38 13° | 210/38 6° | 220/28 -10° | 230/34 -21° | 230/37 -36° | 250/52 -38° | 250/59 -46° | |
| PIR | used from 997 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 170/22 19° | 190/25 13° | 210/32 6° | 240/23 -9° | 250/32 -21° | 250/38 -36° | 260/44 -40° | 260/52 -47° | |
| ONL | used from 1047 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 210/31 20° | 230/27 13° | 230/18 7° | 220/19 -8° | 240/26 -20° | 250/44 -35° | 270/52 -39° | 260/57 -47° | |
| FSD | used from 1147 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO San Francisco, CA | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 13 ft | 12:56 am PDT (07:56 UTC) |
| LVK Livermore, CA | 30 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 399 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| GAB Gabbs, NV | 219 nm out, 13 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 4,699 ft | ||||
| TMT Austin, NV | 269 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,300 feet, a broken layer at 6,500 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 5,735 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| ENV Wendover, UT | 429 nm out, 23 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet | from the east-northeast (060°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 4,236 ft | 07:56 UTC |
| SLC Salt Lake City, UT | 519 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 4,230 ft | 07:54 UTC |
| RKS Rock Springs, WY | 658 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 3,900 feet Weather: light rain | from the south-southwest (210°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 3,900 ft | 6,764 ft | 07:54 UTC |
| RWL Rawlins, WY | 748 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,816 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| GUR Guernsey, WY | 858 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,401 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| GRN Gordon, NE | 977 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the north (010°) at 7 knots | 0.75 mi | 300 ft | 3,562 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| AGZ Wagner, SD | 1147 nm out, 20 nm south of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the north (360°) at 6 knots | 7 mi | 300 ft | 1,477 ft | 07:55 UTC |
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | destination | VFR | from the north-northeast (020°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 2:56 am CDT (07:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,816 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At FSD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:14 am CDT (15:14 UTC)
Wind from the east-northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet VFR
The whole forecast for FSD
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm CDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 14,000 feet
The forecast for SFO, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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 SFO 6:35 pm PDT (01:35 UTC), at FSD 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:17 pm CDT (00:17 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: San Francisco International, Joe Foss Field.