Plan a flight · Sun 5:46 pm PDT (00:46 UTC)

San Francisco International to Chicago/Rockford International SFO → RFD

1,547 nautical miles (1,780 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 069°, about 055° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 41 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 58-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:27 am CDT (09:27 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SFO is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 12 knots; RFD is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) 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: 66 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

SIGMET W72W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 220 to 299 nm out.
as issued
```
WSUS33 KKCI 112355
MKCW WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 72W
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
NV
FROM 60SSW BAM-60W ELY-OAL-40WNW OAL-60SSW BAM
AREA TS MOV FROM 23020KT. TOPS TO FL300.
```

SIGMET W71W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 27,000 ft, moving from the south at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 459 to 559 nm out.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 112355
MKCW WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 71W
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
WY UT ID
FROM 40S DBS-40WNW BPI-30WSW MTU-30SSW DTA-30SE TWF-40S DBS
AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 20040KT. TOPS TO FL270.

SIGMET W70W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Near the route, 669 nm along the route.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 112355
MKCW WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 70W
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
MT WY
FROM 30SSW MLS-60WNW BFF-40SSE OCS-10S BPI-10S BIL-30SSW MLS
AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL320.

SIGMET W68W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 36,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Near the route, 689 nm along the route.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 112355
MKCW WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 68W
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
CO NM AZ UT
FROM 30W CHE-20NNW TBE-60SE ABQ-40N SJN-30SW MTU-30W CHE
AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL360.

AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 120 to 200 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 240 to 629 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 299 to 978 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 309 to 778 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 459 to 848 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 499 to 768 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 649 to 699 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

urgent BCS3 at 5,400 ft, 2 nm northeast, 4:35 pm PDT (23:35 UTC): remarks: wind shear 10 knots gain 1000 above ground on final. 519 nm along the route, 2 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PVU UUA /OV PVU310001/TM 2335/FL054/TP BCS3/RM WIND SHEAR 10 KT GAIN 1000 AGL ON FINAL
```
Report
an urgent report filed through PVU
Where
1 nm northwest (310°) of PVU
Time
23:35 UTC
Height
at 5,400 ft
Aircraft
BCS3
Remarks
wind shear 10 knots gain 1000 above ground on final
B739 at 11,000 ft, 40 nm north, 3:40 pm PDT (22:40 UTC): moderate turbulence, no icing, -4 °C, wind 180° at 40 knots, remarks: during the descent. 509 nm along the route, 40 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH240014/TM 2240/FL110/TP B739/TA M04/WV 180040/TB CONT MOD /IC NEG/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
14 nm southwest (240°) of TCH
Time
22:40 UTC
Height
at 11,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Temperature
−4 °C
Wind
from 180° at 40 knots
Turbulence
continuous moderate
Icing
none
Remarks
during the descent
A320 at 6,600 ft, 41 nm north, 2:55 pm PDT (21:55 UTC): moderate turbulence, -2 °C, wind 200° at 55 knots, remarks: during the climb from 6,600 ft to 10,000 ft. 509 nm along the route, 41 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH250007/TM 2155/FL066/TP A320/SK BASE 066 TOPS UNK/TA -2/WV 20055KT/TB OCNL MOD TURB/RM DURC 066-100
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
7 nm west (250°) of TCH
Time
21:55 UTC
Height
at 6,600 ft
Aircraft
A320
Sky
base 6,600 ft tops unknown
Temperature
-2
Wind
from 200° at 55 knots
Turbulence
occasional moderate turbulence
Remarks
during the climb from 6,600 ft to 10,000 ft
PA44 at 6,000 ft, 2 nm northeast, 4:25 pm PDT (23:25 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: runway in sight at at 6,400 ft. 519 nm along the route, 2 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PVU UA /OV PVU310002/TM 2325/FL060/TP PA44/TB MOD /RM RWY IN SIGHT AT 064
```
Report
a routine report filed through PVU
Where
2 nm northwest (310°) of PVU
Time
23:25 UTC
Height
at 6,000 ft
Aircraft
PA44
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
runway in sight at at 6,400 ft
A21N at 33,000 ft, 27 nm south, 3:35 pm PDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mountain wave +25-30KTS. 719 nm along the route, 27 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HDN UA /OV CHE/TM 2235/FL330/TP A21N/TB MOD/RM MTN WAVE +25-30KTS
```
Report
a routine report filed through HDN
Where
over CHE
Time
22:35 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
mountain wave +25-30KTS
B39M at 32,000 ft, 47 nm south, 4:58 pm PDT (23:58 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14. 759 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EEO UA /OV EKR069073/TM 2358/FL320/TP B39M/TB OCNL MOD CHOP/IC NEG/RM MOD MTW +/-30KT ZDVWC-14
```
Report
a routine report filed through EEO
Where
73 nm east (069°) of EKR
Time
23:58 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Turbulence
occasional moderate chop
Icing
none
Remarks
moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14
BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 49 nm south, 4:28 pm PDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 818 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN320045/TM 2328/FL240/TP BCS3/TB MOD 240-220/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
45 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
Time
23:28 UTC
Height
at 24,000 ft
Aircraft
BCS3
Turbulence
moderate from 24,000 ft to 22,000 ft
Remarks
during the descent
B737 at 27,000 ft, 2 nm southeast, 3:14 pm PDT (22:14 UTC): remarks: mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed +/-300FT entered by zoa fdcs. 160 nm along the route, 2 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RNO UA /OV 3830N11910W/TM 2214/FL270/TP B737/RM MTN WAVE +/-10KTS +/-300FT ENTERED BY ZOA FDCS
```
Report
a routine report filed through RNO
Where
3830N11910W
Time
22:14 UTC
Height
at 27,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Remarks
mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed +/-300FT entered by zoa fdcs
TOP280ZL , 14 nm north, 3:08 pm PDT (22:08 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 489 nm along the route, 14 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV SLC207036/TM 2208/FLA21N/TP TOP 280 /ZL
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
36 nm southwest (207°) of SLC
Time
22:08 UTC
Height
at A21N
Aircraft
TOP 280 /ZL
B38M at 16,000 ft, 37 nm north, 5:06 pm PDT (00:06 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, 13 °C, remarks: during the climb. 509 nm along the route, 37 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH230015/TM 0006/FL160/TP B38M/TA 13/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
15 nm southwest (230°) of TCH
Time
00:06 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Temperature
13 °C
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
Remarks
during the climb
A321 at 10,000 ft, 21 nm north, 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): light chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the descent. 509 nm along the route, 21 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH165020/TM 0000/FL100/TP A321/TB LGT CHOP/IC NEG/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
20 nm south (165°) of TCH
Time
00:00 UTC
Height
at 10,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
light chop
Icing
none
Remarks
during the descent
CRJ7 at 12,000 ft, 40 nm north, 3:14 pm PDT (22:14 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: during the climb. 509 nm along the route, 40 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH240014/TM 2214/FL120/TP CRJ7/TB LGT CHOP-SMOOTH ABV 120/IC NET/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
14 nm southwest (240°) of TCH
Time
22:14 UTC
Height
at 12,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ7
Turbulence
light chop-smooth above 12,000 ft
Icing
net
Remarks
during the climb
CRJ7 at 11,000 ft, 49 nm north, 3:05 pm PDT (22:05 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: during the climb. 519 nm along the route, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH340010/TM 2205/FL110/TP CRJ7/TB LT/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
10 nm north (340°) of TCH
Time
22:05 UTC
Height
at 11,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ7
Turbulence
lt
Remarks
during the climb
UAL796 at 30,000 ft, 48 nm south, 5:09 pm PDT (00:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 230° at 42 knots. 689 nm along the route, 48 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL796 4004N 10755W 0009 F300 230/042KT TB OCNL LGT CHOP IC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP

10 more routine reports are on the map.

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 (SFO, SAC, RNO, BIH, BAM, ELY, SLC, RKS, DEN, BFF, ONL, OMA, DSM, 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	210° at 11 kt	−6 kt	17 °C	126 kt	12 h 17 min	8:03 am CDT (13:03 UTC)
7,500 ft	210° at 19 kt	−12 kt	11 °C	132 kt	11 h 43 min	7:29 am CDT (12:29 UTC)
9,500 ft	220° at 23 kt	−17 kt	7 °C	137 kt	11 h 18 min	7:04 am CDT (12:04 UTC)
11,500 ft	220° at 26 kt	−21 kt	3 °C	141 kt	10 h 58 min	6:44 am CDT (11:44 UTC)
13,500 ft	230° at 27 kt	−23 kt	-1 °C	143 kt	10 h 49 min	6:35 am CDT (11:35 UTC)
15,500 ft	230° at 29 kt	−25 kt	-5 °C	145 kt	10 h 40 min	6:26 am CDT (11:26 UTC)
17,500 ft	230° at 30 kt	−26 kt	-9 °C	146 kt	10 h 36 min	6:22 am CDT (11:22 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 30 kt	−26 kt	-10 °C	146 kt	10 h 36 min	6:22 am CDT (11:22 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	230° at 35 kt	−32 kt	-22 °C	152 kt	10 h 11 min	5:57 am CDT (10:57 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	230° at 44 kt	−42 kt	-32 °C	162 kt	9 h 33 min	5:19 am CDT (10:19 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	240° at 51 kt	−51 kt	-38 °C	171 kt	9 h 03 min	4:49 am CDT (09:49 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	250° at 56 kt	−58 kt	-47 °C	178 kt	8 h 41 min	4:27 am CDT (09:27 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
SFO	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	220/11	L/V 5°	280/7 1°	270/15 -3°	290/23 -14°	310/29 -24°	280/26 -28°	250/30 -34°	250/36 -43°
SAC	used from 50 nm out; 40 nm from the line	270/5	L/V 5°	L/V -1°	240/11 -5°	250/22 -15°	270/25 -24°	260/31 -27°	240/39 -33°	240/39 -42°
RNO	used from 100 nm out; 71 nm from the line		320/7	260/13 1°	230/21 -7°	210/38 -17°	220/43 -26°	230/54 -29°	230/59 -32°	230/54 -41°
BIH	used from 200 nm out; 92 nm from the line		L/V	210/14 6°	210/20 -2°	230/26 -14°	220/32 -24°	220/63 -27°	220/56 -35°	230/50 -44°
BAM	used from 250 nm out; 89 nm from the line			270/8 4°	230/27 -4°	220/49 -18°	210/52 -26°	220/77 -29°	220/71 -33°	220/63 -43°
ELY	used from 299 nm out; 46 nm from the line			210/20 4°	240/21 -1°	230/37 -13°	200/58 -25°	220/73 -27°	220/73 -36°	220/69 -44°
SLC	used from 449 nm out; 57 nm from the line		280/8	210/39 5°	210/52 -1°	200/50 -11°	200/56 -23°	220/61 -28°	230/73 -37°	230/73 -45°
RKS	used from 599 nm out; 63 nm from the line			190/43	210/65 3°	210/57 -9°	210/56 -21°	210/47 -33°	230/63 -37°	240/77 -46°
DEN	used from 749 nm out; 106 nm from the line			190/31 16°	210/32 7°	240/41 -8°	230/47 -21°	240/56 -32°	250/65 -37°	250/61 -47°
BFF	used from 798 nm out; 82 nm from the line		120/24	180/31 13°	210/26 7°	230/25 -7°	240/41 -20°	230/52 -36°	250/56 -41°	260/57 -45°
ONL	used from 998 nm out; 105 nm from the line		200/20 17°	230/26 14°	240/21 7°	250/27 -9°	260/32 -19°	240/44 -34°	240/56 -41°	250/62 -51°
OMA	used from 1198 nm out; 50 nm from the line	190/34	230/34 19°	250/25 12°	250/18 6°	250/22 -7°	250/28 -19°	260/34 -32°	260/39 -41°	280/56 -51°
DSM	used from 1297 nm out; 43 nm from the line	200/32	240/27 17°	260/19 10°	260/16 5°	260/19 -7°	240/22 -19°	270/20 -32°	270/38 -42°	290/58 -53°
DBQ	used from 1397 nm out; 54 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
SFO San Francisco, CA	departure	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	none	13 ft	4:56 pm PDT (23:56 UTC)
SCK Stockton, CA	60 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	32 ft	23:55 UTC
GAB Gabbs, NV	220 nm out, 5 nm north of the line	no report just now				4,699 ft
ELY Ely, NV	369 nm out, 16 nm south of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	6,259 ft	23:53 UTC
PVU Provo, UT	519 nm out, 2 nm east of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,500 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet Weather: light rain	from the south-southwest (210°) at 14 knots	10+ mi	5,500 ft	4,496 ft	23:56 UTC
DWX Dixon, WY	719 nm out, 6 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet	from the south-southeast (160°) at 12 knots, gusting to 16	10+ mi	none	6,548 ft	00:35 UTC
CYS Cheyenne, WY	838 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the east-southeast (110°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	6,159 ft	23:53 UTC
OKS Oshkosh, NE	948 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line	no report just now				3,394 ft
SUX Sioux City, IA	1228 nm out, 21 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	1,098 ft	23:52 UTC
MIW Marshalltown, IA	1377 nm out, 4 nm south of the line	VFR	from the south (170°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	974 ft	23:53 UTC
DBQ Dubuque, IA	1477 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	1,076 ft	23:53 UTC
RFD Chicago/Rockford, IL	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the southeast (130°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	742 ft	6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 6,548 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, 4:27 am CDT (09:27 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 SFO, the departure

From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 16 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet
From Sun 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet
From Mon 1:00 am PDT (08:00 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 east-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 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/7455 SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local 10 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ended 11 October · ZOA
6/7231 Santa Clara, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 18 nm from the route, at the departure end · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZOA

Daylight

Sunset at SFO 6:36 pm PDT (01:36 UTC), at RFD 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:47 pm CDT (23:47 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 Southwest · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the northern Rockies · 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: San Francisco International, Chicago/Rockford International.