Plan a flight · Sun 5:47 pm MDT (23:47 UTC)

Salt Lake City International to Chicago/Rockford International SLC → RFD

1,029 nautical miles (1,185 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 078°, about 067° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 39 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 62-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:26 am CDT (05:26 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SLC is marginal VFR, wind from the northwest (310°) at 11 knots, gusting to 23; 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: 158 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 W67W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the south at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm MDT (00:55 UTC). Over the first 50 nm of the route.

as issued

WSUS33 KKCI 112255
MKCW WST 112255
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 67W
VALID UNTIL 0055Z
WY UT ID NV
FROM 40S DBS-40WNW BPI-50N HVE-50W DTA-50SSE TWF-40S DBS
AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 20040KT. TOPS TO FL280.

SIGMET W66W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 38,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm MDT (00:55 UTC). Over the route from 100 to 130 nm out.
as issued
```
WSUS33 KKCI 112255
MKCW WST 112255
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 66W
VALID UNTIL 0055Z
CO WY UT
FROM 10NW OCS-60W CHE-50ESE MTU-50N MTU-10NW OCS
AREA TS MOV FROM 21040KT. TOPS TO FL380.
```
AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the departure end.
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 first 260 nm of the route.
AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the first 120 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 450 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 330 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 270 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 140 to 200 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 SLC.

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

urgent BCS3 at 5,400 ft, 35 nm south, 5:35 pm MDT (23:35 UTC): remarks: wind shear 10 knots gain 1000 above ground on final. At the departure end, 35 nm south 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
urgent PC12 at 13,000 ft, 34 nm northwest, 3:48 pm MDT (21:48 UTC): severe turbulence from 13,000 ft to 14,000 ft, remarks: lots of moderate, moments of severe. At the departure end, 34 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UUA /OV OGD280010/TM 2148/FL130/TP PC12/TB SEV 140-130/RM LOTS OF MODERATE, MOMENTS OF SEV
```
Report
an urgent report filed through SLC
Where
10 nm west (280°) of OGD
Time
21:48 UTC
Height
at 13,000 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Turbulence
severe from 14,000 ft to 13,000 ft
Remarks
lots of moderate, moments of severe
PA44 at 6,000 ft, 34 nm south, 5:25 pm MDT (23:25 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: runway in sight at at 6,400 ft. At the departure end, 34 nm south 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
B739 at 11,000 ft, 14 nm west, 4:40 pm MDT (22:40 UTC): moderate turbulence, no icing, -4 °C, wind 180° at 40 knots, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 14 nm west 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, 8 nm northwest, 3:55 pm MDT (21:55 UTC): moderate turbulence, -2 °C, wind 200° at 55 knots, remarks: during the climb from 6,600 ft to 10,000 ft. At the departure end, 8 nm northwest 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
B737 at 12,000 ft, 10 nm west, 3:22 pm MDT (21:22 UTC): light turbulence, moderate rime icing, -1 °C, remarks: during the climb from 7,000 ft to 14,500 ft. At the departure end, 10 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH240010/TM 2122/FL120/TP B737/TA M01/TB LGT OCNL ,OD TURB/IC MOD RIME/RM DURC 070-145
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
10 nm southwest (240°) of TCH
Time
21:22 UTC
Height
at 12,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Temperature
−1 °C
Turbulence
light occasional, od turbulence
Icing
moderate rime
Remarks
during the climb from 7,000 ft to 14,500 ft
PC12 at 16,000 ft, 45 nm northwest, 3:01 pm MDT (21:01 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing from 16,000 ft to 23,000 ft, -8 °C, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 45 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV OGD300020/TM 2101/FL160/TP PC12/TA M08/TB MOD TURB/IC LT RIME 230-160/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
20 nm northwest (300°) of OGD
Time
21:01 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Temperature
−8 °C
Turbulence
moderate turbulence
Icing
lt rime from 23,000 ft to 16,000 ft
Remarks
during the descent
A339 at 16,000 ft, 27 nm north, 5:35 pm MDT (23:35 UTC): moderate chop turbulence up to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb zlc. At the departure end, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OGD UA /OV OGD063012/TM 2335/FL160/TP A339/TB MOD CHOP 160 BLO/RM DURC /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through OGD
Where
12 nm northeast (063°) of OGD
Time
23:35 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
A339
Turbulence
moderate chop at 16,000 ft below
Remarks
during the climb zlc
E75L at 14,500 ft, 24 nm north, 5:05 pm MDT (23:05 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 15,800 ft, heavy rain, remarks: during the climb zlc. At the departure end, 24 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
OGD UA /OV OGD086008/TM 2305/FL145/TP E75L/WX +RA/TB MOD 158 BLO/RM DURC /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through OGD
Where
8 nm east (086°) of OGD
Time
23:05 UTC
Height
at 14,500 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Weather
heavy rain
Turbulence
moderate at 15,800 ft below
Remarks
during the climb zlc
E75L at 12,500 ft, 16 nm north, 4:25 pm MDT (22:25 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the departure end, 16 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HIF UA /OV HIF103005/TM 2225/FL125/TP E75L/TB MOD /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through HIF
Where
5 nm east (103°) of HIF
Time
22:25 UTC
Height
at 12,500 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
moderate zlc
A321 at 31,000 ft, 27 nm south, 2:57 pm MDT (20:57 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb FL300-320 zlc. 110 nm along the route, 27 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
VEL UA /OV VEL354021/TM 2057/FL310/TP A321/TB CONS MOD CHOP /RM DURC FL300-320 /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through VEL
Where
21 nm north (354°) of VEL
Time
20:57 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
continuous moderate chop
Remarks
during the climb FL300-320 zlc
B738 at 37,000 ft, 28 nm north, 3:10 pm MDT (21:10 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: mtw a 40-knot loss of airspeed zdvwc. 260 nm along the route, 28 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LAR UA /OV MBW290020/TM 2110/FL370/TP B738/TB MOD CHOP/RM MTW +/-40KT ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through LAR
Where
20 nm west (290°) of MBW
Time
21:10 UTC
Height
at 37,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
moderate chop
Remarks
mtw a 40-knot loss of airspeed zdvwc
BE9L at 21,000 ft, 44 nm north, 5:22 pm MDT (23:22 UTC): light chop turbulence above 21,000 ft, moderate icing above 21,000 ft, -21 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 300 nm along the route, 44 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DGW UA /OV IIP200020/TM 2322/FL210/TP BE9L/SK BASE 200/TA M21/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 210/IC MOD MIX 210/RM ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through DGW
Where
20 nm south (200°) of IIP
Time
23:22 UTC
Height
at 21,000 ft
Aircraft
BE9L
Sky
base 20,000 ft
Temperature
−21 °C
Turbulence
occasional light chop at 21,000 ft
Icing
moderate mix at 21,000 ft
Remarks
zdvwc
C182 at 4,500 ft, 3 nm northwest, 3:02 pm MDT (21:02 UTC): moderate turbulence. 710 nm along the route, 3 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SUX UA /OV SUX170003/TM 2102/FL045/TP C182/TB CONS MOD
```
Report
a routine report filed through SUX
Where
3 nm south (170°) of SUX
Time
21:02 UTC
Height
at 4,500 ft
Aircraft
C182
Turbulence
continuous moderate

16 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 8 forecast points nearest it (SLC, RKS, BFF, ONL, OMA, DSM, 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	200° at 15 kt	−5 kt	17 °C	125 kt	8 h 14 min	3:01 am CDT (08:01 UTC)
7,500 ft	200° at 23 kt	−12 kt	15 °C	132 kt	7 h 48 min	2:35 am CDT (07:35 UTC)
9,500 ft	210° at 27 kt	−17 kt	11 °C	137 kt	7 h 31 min	2:18 am CDT (07:18 UTC)
11,500 ft	220° at 29 kt	−21 kt	7 °C	141 kt	7 h 18 min	2:05 am CDT (07:05 UTC)
13,500 ft	220° at 29 kt	−23 kt	2 °C	143 kt	7 h 12 min	1:59 am CDT (06:59 UTC)
15,500 ft	230° at 29 kt	−24 kt	-3 °C	144 kt	7 h 09 min	1:56 am CDT (06:56 UTC)
17,500 ft	230° at 28 kt	−24 kt	-7 °C	144 kt	7 h 09 min	1:56 am CDT (06:56 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 28 kt	−24 kt	-8 °C	144 kt	7 h 09 min	1:56 am CDT (06:56 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	240° at 34 kt	−32 kt	-20 °C	152 kt	6 h 46 min	1:33 am CDT (06:33 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	240° at 38 kt	−36 kt	-34 °C	156 kt	6 h 36 min	1:23 am CDT (06:23 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 49 kt	−49 kt	-41 °C	169 kt	6 h 05 min	12:52 am CDT (05:52 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 60 kt	−62 kt	-49 °C	182 kt	5 h 39 min	12:26 am CDT (05:26 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
SLC	used from 0 nm out; 25 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 50 nm out; 67 nm from the line			190/43	210/65 3°	210/57 -9°	210/56 -21°	210/47 -33°	230/63 -37°	240/77 -46°
BFF	used from 250 nm out; 108 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 500 nm out; 81 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 700 nm out; 57 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 750 nm out; 69 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°
MCW	used from 849 nm out; 62 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 899 nm out; 34 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
SLC Salt Lake City, UT	departure	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,400 feet, a broken layer at 2,100 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the northwest (310°) at 11 knots, gusting to 23	5 mi	2,100 ft	4,230 ft	5:37 pm MDT (23:37 UTC)
EVW Evanston, WY	50 nm out, 20 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,500 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet Weather: light rain	from the southwest (220°) at 20 knots, gusting to 34	9 mi	4,500 ft	7,142 ft	23:44 UTC
RKS Rock Springs, WY	140 nm out, 22 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,700 feet, a broken layer at 6,500 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet Weather: light rain	from the south (190°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	6,500 ft	6,764 ft	23:26 UTC
SAA Saratoga, WY	240 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	7,014 ft	23:30 UTC
BFF Scottsbluff, NE	380 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the east-southeast (120°) at 16 knots, gusting to 23	10+ mi	none	3,967 ft	22:53 UTC
AIA Alliance, NE	420 nm out, 9 nm north of the line	VFR	from the east (090°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	none	3,930 ft	22:53 UTC
TIF Thedford, NE	520 nm out, 6 nm south of the line	VFR	from the east-northeast (060°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	2,925 ft	23:35 UTC
SUX Sioux City, IA	710 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	1,098 ft	22:52 UTC
MEY Mapleton, IA	730 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line	no report just now				1,116 ft
ALO Waterloo, IA	879 nm out, 17 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	873 ft	22:54 UTC
DBQ Dubuque, IA	959 nm out, 10 nm north 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 7,142 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, 12:26 am CDT (05:26 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 SLC, the departure

From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 15 knots, gusting to 28, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
30% chance between Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind variable at 10 knots, gusting to 25, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 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 SLC 6:52 pm MDT (00:52 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 southern Rockies · 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: Salt Lake City International, Chicago/Rockford International.