Plan a flight · Sun 10:32 pm CDT (03:32 UTC)

Williston Basin International to Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain Airport XWA → MSP

479 nautical miles (551 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 111°, about 103° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 50 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 49-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:22 am CDT (06:22 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now XWA is IFR, wind from the northeast (040°) at 12 knots; MSP is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 8 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: 2,052 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 110 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 160 to 349 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

PA24 at 6,000 ft, 27 nm north, 7:48 pm CDT (00:48 UTC): light rime icing from 5,000 ft to 6,000 ft, 2 °C. 30 nm along the route, 27 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
B789 at 35,000 ft, 39 nm south, 8:57 pm CDT (01:57 UTC): light turbulence. 80 nm along the route, 39 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DIK UA /OV DIK040030/TM 0157/FL350/TP B789/TB CONS LGT/ OCNL MOD CHOP/ NEG 370
```
Report
a routine report filed through DIK
Where
30 nm northeast (040°) of DIK
Time
01:57 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
B789
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop no at 37,000 ft
CRJ2 at 11,000 ft, 7 nm northeast, 7:53 pm CDT (00:53 UTC): no turbulence, no icing. 220 nm along the route, 7 nm northeast 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
PC12 at 2,800 ft, 30 nm northeast, 9:37 pm CDT (02:37 UTC): overcast from 1,200 ft to 2,900 ft, 10 °C. 289 nm along the route, 30 nm northeast 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, 39 nm northeast, 8:57 pm CDT (01:57 UTC): no icing, overcast above 1,200 ft. 289 nm along the route, 39 nm northeast 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, 39 nm northeast, 8:01 pm CDT (01:01 UTC): overcast above 1,200 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 36. 289 nm along the route, 39 nm northeast 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 4 forecast points nearest it (MOT, ABR, AXN, MSP). 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	110° at 6 kt	+6 kt		114 kt	4 h 12 min	2:44 am CDT (07:44 UTC)
5,500 ft	200° at 7 kt	+1 kt	5 °C	119 kt	4 h 02 min	2:34 am CDT (07:34 UTC)
7,500 ft	220° at 13 kt	−4 kt	10 °C	124 kt	3 h 52 min	2:24 am CDT (07:24 UTC)
9,500 ft	230° at 20 kt	−9 kt	8 °C	129 kt	3 h 43 min	2:15 am CDT (07:15 UTC)
11,500 ft	240° at 28 kt	−16 kt	4 °C	136 kt	3 h 31 min	2:03 am CDT (07:03 UTC)
13,500 ft	240° at 32 kt	−20 kt	0 °C	140 kt	3 h 25 min	1:57 am CDT (06:57 UTC)
15,500 ft	250° at 34 kt	−24 kt	-5 °C	144 kt	3 h 20 min	1:52 am CDT (06:52 UTC)
17,500 ft	250° at 36 kt	−28 kt	-9 °C	148 kt	3 h 14 min	1:46 am CDT (06:46 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	260° at 37 kt	−29 kt	-10 °C	149 kt	3 h 13 min	1:45 am CDT (06:45 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	260° at 44 kt	−34 kt	-21 °C	154 kt	3 h 07 min	1:39 am CDT (06:39 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	250° at 47 kt	−32 kt	-37 °C	152 kt	3 h 09 min	1:41 am CDT (06:41 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 50 kt	−38 kt	-44 °C	158 kt	3 h 02 min	1:34 am CDT (06:34 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 59 kt	−49 kt	-50 °C	169 kt	2 h 50 min	1:22 am CDT (06:22 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; 76 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°
ABR	used from 200 nm out; 82 nm from the line	070/14	250/10 17°	270/16 11°	260/28 5°	260/36 -10°	260/41 -22°	270/33 -37°	260/42 -42°	260/50 -48°
AXN	used from 299 nm out; 47 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°
MSP	used from 449 nm out; 15 nm from the line	230/26	240/30 17°	240/24 12°	250/22 5°	250/35 -10°	260/36 -21°	250/41 -36°	250/49 -45°	260/58 -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
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)
HZE Hazen, ND	100 nm out, 22 nm south of the line	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,100 feet Weather: light drizzle	from the northeast (050°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	1,100 ft	1,814 ft	02:35 UTC
JMS Jamestown, ND	220 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line	IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet	from the north-northeast (030°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20	10+ mi	800 ft	1,499 ft	02:56 UTC
GWR Gwinner, ND	279 nm out, 14 nm southwest of the line	reported, no category	from the north-northeast (020°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20	2.5 mi	none	1,265 ft	03:15 UTC
BWP Wahpeton, ND	319 nm out, 8 nm north of the line	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet Weather: mist	from the north (360°) at 10 knots	3 mi	7,000 ft	968 ft	03:15 UTC
GHW Glenwood, MN	379 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 18,000 feet	from the north-northeast (020°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	18,000 ft	1,393 ft	03:15 UTC
STC St Cloud, MN	429 nm out, 18 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the north-northwest (340°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	1,030 ft	02:53 UTC
CFE Buffalo, MN	449 nm out, 2 nm north of the line	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,400 feet, a broken layer at 5,500 feet	from the south (190°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	2,400 ft	967 ft	03:15 UTC
MSP Minneapolis, MN	destination	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet	from the south (180°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	25,000 ft	841 ft	9:53 pm CDT (02:53 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 MSP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:22 am CDT (06:22 UTC)

Wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for MSP

From Sun 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
From Mon 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet

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

6/6656 ANOKA, MN, Monday, October 5, 2026 through Monday, October 19, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 19 October · ZMP

Daylight

Sunset at XWA 7:12 pm CDT (00:12 UTC), at MSP 6:33 pm CDT (23:33 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:03 pm CDT (00:03 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MSP is before sunrise there (7:24 am CDT (12:24 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 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: Williston Basin International, Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain Airport.