Williston Basin International to Delta County XWA → ESC
697 nautical miles (803 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 096°, about 088° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 51 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 61-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:59 am EDT (06:59 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now XWA is IFR, wind from the northeast (040°) at 12 knots; ESC is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 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: 1 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 SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 70 nm of the route.
- 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 169 to 369 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 XWA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B772 at 37,000 ft, 0 nm east, 9:20 pm CDT (02:20 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. At the destination end, 0 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ESC UA /OV ESC/TM 0220/FL370/TP B772/TB MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through ESC
- Where
- over ESC
- Time
- 02:20 UTC
- Height
- at 37,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B772
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- PA24 at 6,000 ft, 20 nm north, 7:48 pm CDT (00:48 UTC): light rime icing from 5,000 ft to 6,000 ft, 2 °C. 40 nm along the route, 20 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
XWA UA /OV XWA060040/TM 0048/FL060/TP PA24/TA 02/IC LGT RIME 060-050
- Report
- a routine report filed through XWA
- Where
- 40 nm northeast (060°) of XWA
- Time
- 00:48 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA24
- Temperature
- 2 °C
- Icing
- light rime from 6,000 ft to 5,000 ft
- PC12 at 16,000 ft, 26 nm south, 7:12 pm CDT (00:12 UTC): light icing, -6 °C. 199 nm along the route, 26 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
JMS UA /OV JMS332028/TM 0012/FL160/TP PC12/TA M06/IC LGT CLR
- Report
- a routine report filed through JMS
- Where
- 28 nm northwest (332°) of JMS
- Time
- 00:12 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Temperature
- −6 °C
- Icing
- light clear
- CRJ2 at 11,000 ft, 49 nm south, 7:53 pm CDT (00:53 UTC): no turbulence, no icing. 219 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
JMS UA /OV JMS/TM 0053/FL110/TP CRJ2/SK BASE020-TOP040/TB NEG/IC NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through JMS
- Where
- over JMS
- Time
- 00:53 UTC
- Height
- at 11,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Sky
- BASE020-TOP040
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
- CRJ7 at 5,000 ft, 15 nm north, 8:02 pm CDT (01:02 UTC): overcast from 1,500 ft to 4,800 ft, 11 °C, remarks: during the climb. 269 nm along the route, 15 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
GFK UA /OV GFK170008/TM 0102/FL050/TP CRJ7/SK OVC015-TOP048/TA 11/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GFK
- Where
- 8 nm south (170°) of GFK
- Time
- 01:02 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- overcast from 1,500 ft, tops 4,800 ft
- Temperature
- 11 °C
- Remarks
- during the climb
- PC12 at 2,800 ft, 46 nm south, 9:37 pm CDT (02:37 UTC): overcast from 1,200 ft to 2,900 ft, 10 °C. 289 nm along the route, 46 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FAR UA /OV FAR/TM 0237/FL028/TP PC12/SK OVC012-TOP029/TA 10
- Report
- a routine report filed through FAR
- Where
- over FAR
- Time
- 02:37 UTC
- Height
- at 2,800 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- overcast from 1,200 ft, tops 2,900 ft
- Temperature
- 10 °C
- E75L at 900 ft, 36 nm south, 8:57 pm CDT (01:57 UTC): no icing, overcast above 1,200 ft. 289 nm along the route, 36 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FAR UA /OV KFAR/TM 0157/FL009/TP E75L/SK OVC012/IC NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through FAR
- Where
- over KFAR
- Time
- 01:57 UTC
- Height
- at 900 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Sky
- overcast from 1,200 ft
- Icing
- none
- A320 descending, 36 nm south, 8:01 pm CDT (01:01 UTC): overcast above 1,200 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 36. 289 nm along the route, 36 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FAR UA /OV KFAR/TM 0101/FLUNKN/TP A320/SK OVC012-TOPUNKN/RM DURD RWY 36
- Report
- a routine report filed through FAR
- Where
- over KFAR
- Time
- 01:01 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 1,200 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 36
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 5 forecast points nearest it (MOT, GFK, AXN, DLH, GRB). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 090° at 7 kt | +7 kt | 113 kt | 6 h 10 min | 5:18 am EDT (09:18 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 200° at 5 kt | 0 | 5 °C | 120 kt | 5 h 48 min | 4:56 am EDT (08:56 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 230° at 12 kt | −8 kt | 9 °C | 128 kt | 5 h 27 min | 4:35 am EDT (08:35 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 240° at 19 kt | −14 kt | 6 °C | 134 kt | 5 h 12 min | 4:20 am EDT (08:20 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 27 kt | −21 kt | 3 °C | 141 kt | 4 h 57 min | 4:05 am EDT (08:05 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 250° at 30 kt | −25 kt | -1 °C | 145 kt | 4 h 48 min | 3:56 am EDT (07:56 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 250° at 33 kt | −29 kt | -5 °C | 149 kt | 4 h 41 min | 3:49 am EDT (07:49 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 260° at 36 kt | −32 kt | -9 °C | 152 kt | 4 h 35 min | 3:43 am EDT (07:43 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 260° at 36 kt | −33 kt | -10 °C | 153 kt | 4 h 33 min | 3:41 am EDT (07:41 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 260° at 41 kt | −39 kt | -21 °C | 159 kt | 4 h 23 min | 3:31 am EDT (07:31 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 45 kt | −41 kt | -36 °C | 161 kt | 4 h 20 min | 3:28 am EDT (07:28 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 46 kt | −44 kt | -46 °C | 164 kt | 4 h 15 min | 3:23 am EDT (07:23 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 64 kt | −61 kt | -53 °C | 181 kt | 3 h 51 min | 2:59 am EDT (06:59 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOT | used from 0 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 120/14 5° | 200/20 4° | 230/33 1° | 250/39 -11° | 250/50 -21° | 240/61 -37° | 250/56 -45° | 260/68 -51° | |
| GFK | used from 199 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 070/18 | 100/10 9° | 250/11 6° | 250/27 1° | 250/34 -10° | 260/43 -21° | 260/39 -36° | 260/36 -46° | 260/59 -53° |
| AXN | used from 349 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 100/14 | 250/21 14° | 240/24 12° | 240/31 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/40 -21° | 250/42 -36° | 260/48 -45° | 260/53 -50° |
| DLH | used from 399 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 080/28 | 240/21 15° | 250/26 9° | 250/32 3° | 260/42 -11° | 270/40 -21° | 260/43 -36° | 260/46 -46° | 260/65 -54° |
| GRB | used from 598 nm out; 101 nm from the line | 250/36 | 270/23 16° | 270/14 9° | 240/18 4° | 280/26 -9° | 280/29 -20° | 290/42 -36° | 290/51 -45° | 290/72 -55° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XWA Williston, ND | departure | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain | from the northeast (040°) at 12 knots | 7 mi | 600 ft | 2,356 ft | 9:51 pm CDT (02:51 UTC) |
| MOT Minot, ND | 100 nm out, 13 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,300 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (360°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 1,715 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| DVL Devils Lake, ND | 189 nm out, 19 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,100 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northeast (030°) at 13 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | 1,100 ft | 1,469 ft | 02:56 UTC |
| GFK Grand Forks, ND | 259 nm out, 22 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (360°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 845 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| FSE Fosston, MN | 319 nm out, 13 nm northeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 400 ft | 1,278 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| XVG Longville, MN | 389 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,100 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,100 ft | 1,336 ft | 02:34 UTC |
| DLH Duluth, MN | 478 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 12,000 feet | from the north (360°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 12,000 ft | 1,427 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| ASX Ashland, WI | 528 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | VFR | from the north-northwest (340°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 826 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| LNL Land O' Lakes, WI | 608 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,705 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| IMT Iron Mountain Kingsford, MI | 658 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,182 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| ESC Escanaba, MI | destination | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 609 ft | 10:56 pm EDT (02:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,356 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ESC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:59 am EDT (06:59 UTC)
ESC has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
The forecast for XWA, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 900 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 4 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 600 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 2 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 300 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 600 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC) and 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 400 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/4348 GRAND FORKS AFB, ND, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 11 nm from the route, 259 nm along the route · security · until 1 November · ZMP
Daylight
Sunset at XWA 7:12 pm CDT (00:12 UTC), at ESC 7:08 pm EDT (23:08 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:38 pm EDT (23:38 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ESC is before sunrise there (8:00 am EDT (12:00 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: Williston Basin International, Delta County.