Flight planning: Boulder Municipal BDU / KBDU
What a pilot looks at before a flight from or to Boulder Municipal in Boulder, Colorado, in plain English: right now VFR: good flying weather, Wind from the north (360°) at 6 knots. The warnings, reports and winds below come from the government's aviation weather service and the restrictions from the FAA, refreshed every few minutes. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools.
the observation as issued, and in English
METAR KBDU 122335Z AUTO 36006KT 10SM CLR 25/M01 A2976 RMK AO2
- METAR
- a routine hourly observation
- KBDU
- the station, KBDU
- 122335Z
- observed 5:35 pm MDT (23:35 UTC)
- AUTO
- fully automated report, nobody checked it
- 36006KT
- wind from the north at 6 knots
- 10SM
- visibility 10 miles
- CLR
- clear skies
- 25/M01
- temperature 25 °C (77 °F), dew point -1 °C (30 °F)
- A2976
- altimeter setting 29.76 inches of mercury
- RMK
- remarks follow
- AO2
- automated station with a precipitation sensor
Warnings in force SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area covers this field
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 45,000 ft.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft.
Turbulence AIRMET in force: moderate turbulence (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 45,000 ft; AIRMET in force: moderate turbulence (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. 6 pilot reports of turbulence within 100 nautical miles in the last three hours: light to moderate turbulence, at 18,000 ft, 10 nm northeast, 4:51 pm MDT (22:51 UTC); moderate turbulence, at 22,000 ft, 18 nm north, 4:23 pm MDT (22:23 UTC). The government's turbulence forecast map ↗
Icing No icing warning in force over this field. 1 pilot report of icing within 100 nautical miles in the last three hours: light to moderate rime icing, at 20,000 ft, 38 nm north, 3:32 pm MDT (21:32 UTC). The freezing level is about 14,000 ft (from the winds-aloft temperatures), so icing is possible in cloud above that. The government's icing forecast map ↗
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft (thunderstorms, severe turbulence or icing, volcanic ash); an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments (moderate turbulence or icing, low cloud, strong surface wind, mountains hidden in cloud). An area is counted when it covers this field's position.
Pilot reports within 100 nautical miles, last three hours, nearest first
- urgent P28A at 6,000 ft, 7 nm south, 3:31 pm MDT (21:31 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20 knots during the descent 12L.
as filed, and in English
BJC UUA /OV BJC300002/TM 2131/FL060/TP P28A/RM LLWS +/- 20KTS DURD 12L
- Report
- an urgent report filed through BJC
- Where
- 2 nm northwest (300°) of BJC
- Time
- 21:31 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- P28A
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 20 knots during the descent 12L
- urgent C750 at 6,500 ft, 31 nm southeast, 5:10 pm MDT (23:10 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear a 10-knot loss of airspeed on final runway 17L.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV APA350002/TM 2310/FL065/TP C750/RM LLWS +/-10KTS ON FINAL RY 17L
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- 2 nm north (350°) of APA
- Time
- 23:10 UTC
- Height
- at 6,500 ft
- Aircraft
- C750
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear a 10-knot loss of airspeed on final runway 17L
- E75L at 18,000 ft, 10 nm northeast, 4:51 pm MDT (22:51 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZIMMR4 ZDVWC-06.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN310030/TM 2251/FL180/TP E75L/TB LGT-OCNL MOD/RM DURC ZIMMR4 ZDVWC-06
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm northwest (310°) of DEN
- Time
- 22:51 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- lgt-ocnl moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZIMMR4 ZDVWC-06
- ALL at 22,000 ft, 18 nm north, 4:23 pm MDT (22:23 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: FL220-130 during the descent.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV 40NW DEN/TM 2223/FL220/TP ALL/TB MOD/RM FL220-130 DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40NW den
- Time
- 22:23 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- ALL
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- FL220-130 during the descent
- BE20 at 19,000 ft, 25 nm south, 5:15 pm MDT (23:15 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-06.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN240030/TM 2315/FL190/TP BE20/TB CONS LGT-OCNL MOD/RM DURC ZDVWC-06
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm southwest (240°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:15 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Turbulence
- continuous lgt-ocnl moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-06
- A319 at 22,000 ft, 25 nm west, 3:27 pm MDT (21:27 UTC): moderate turbulence, no icing, overcast above 22,000 ft, remarks: ZDVWC-13.
as filed, and in English
HDN UA /OV CHE091075/TM 2127/FL220/TP A319/SK OVC220/TB MOD/IC NEG/RM ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through HDN
- Where
- 75 nm east (091°) of CHE
- Time
- 21:27 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- overcast from 22,000 ft
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-13
- B737 at 6,500 ft, 29 nm southeast, 4:25 pm MDT (22:25 UTC): no turbulence.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2225/FL065/TP B737/TB NEG TB ON FINAL RWY16L
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 22:25 UTC
- Height
- at 6,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no turbulence on final runway 16L
- B737 at 6,500 ft, 29 nm southeast, 3:41 pm MDT (21:41 UTC): no turbulence.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2141/FL065/TP B737/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 21:41 UTC
- Height
- at 6,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- none
- B737 descending, 29 nm southeast, 2:58 pm MDT (20:58 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 10,000 ft.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2058/FLDURD/TP B737/TB LGT CHOP BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 20:58 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light chop below 10,000 ft
- E55P at 28,000 ft, 33 nm west, 4:08 pm MDT (22:08 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-05.
as filed, and in English
EGE UA /OV RLG069023/TM 2208/FL280/TP E55P/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through EGE
- Where
- 23 nm east (069°) of RLG
- Time
- 22:08 UTC
- Height
- at 28,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E55P
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-05
- SW4 at 20,000 ft, 38 nm north, 3:32 pm MDT (21:32 UTC): no turbulence, light to moderate rime icing, -10 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-21.
as filed, and in English
GXY UA /OV GLL280025/TM 2132/FL200/TP SW4/TA M10/TB NEG/IC LGT-MOD RIME/RM ZDVWC-21
- Report
- a routine report filed through GXY
- Where
- 25 nm west (280°) of GLL
- Time
- 21:32 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SW4
- Temperature
- −10 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- light to moderate rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-21
- GLF6 at 15,000 ft, 41 nm north, 4:07 pm MDT (22:07 UTC): moderate turbulence.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV 20NW FNL/TM 2207/FL150/TP GLF6/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 20NW final
- Time
- 22:07 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- moderate
What pilots in the air told air traffic control or Flight Service: turbulence, icing, cloud tops and bases, temperature, wind, and whatever they remarked on (wind shear on final, a smooth ride). An urgent report is one of severe turbulence or icing, wind shear, or similar. Open "as filed, and in English" for the coded report and its translation line by line.
Winds and temperatures aloft forecast point DEN, 28 nm southeast of the field · for use 20:00–03:00 UTC
| Height | Wind from | Speed | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9,000 ft | 200° (south) | 23 knots | 14 °C |
| 12,000 ft | 210° (southwest) | 22 knots | 6 °C |
| 18,000 ft | 250° (west) | 37 knots | -12 °C |
| 24,000 ft | 230° (southwest) | 57 knots | -21 °C |
| 30,000 ft | 230° (southwest) | 74 knots | -30 °C |
| 34,000 ft | 240° (southwest) | 93 knots | -37 °C |
| 39,000 ft | 240° (southwest) | 99 knots | -48 °C |
Based on data from the 12th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 13th 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; the lowest rows are left out where the ground is already that high.
Temporary flight restrictions within 50 nautical miles, from the FAA's list
No temporary flight restriction within 50 nautical miles right now.
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times.
Notices to air missions closed runways and taxiways, lights and aids out of service, procedures not authorized, obstructions, airspace
4 in force now, 1 starting within a week.
Runways 2
- Runway 26 PAPI (approach slope lights) out of service until Thu 15 Oct, 2:00 pm MDT (20:00 UTC), estimated · BDU 10/162
as issued
!DEN 10/162 BDU RWY 26 PAPI U/S 2610072338-2610152000EST
- Runway 26 PAPI (approach slope lights) out of service until Wed 14 Oct, 2:00 pm MDT (20:00 UTC), estimated · BDU 10/161
as issued
!DEN 10/161 BDU RWY 26 PAPI U/S 2610072337-2610142000EST
Airspace 3
- Airspace numerous unmanned aircraft (drones) within an area defined as.25 nautical miles radius of 40°06′N 105°17′W (4 nautical miles northwest BDU) the surface-699 ft above ground level until Thu 15 Oct, 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC) · BDU 09/806
as issued
!DEN 09/806 BDU AIRSPACE NUMEROUS UAS WI AN AREA DEFINED AS .25NM RADIUS OF 400607N1051705W (4NM NW BDU) SFC-699FT AGL 2609291451-2610160500
- Airspace parachute jumping within an area defined as 2 nautical miles radius of BDU the surface-15,000 ft until Sat 9 Jan, 4:59 pm MST (23:59 UTC) · BDU 01/078
as issued
!DEN 01/078 BDU AIRSPACE PJE WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 2NM RADIUS OF BDU SFC-15000FT 2601101700-2701092359
- from Tue 13 Oct Airspace numerous unmanned aircraft (drones) within an area defined as.25 nautical miles radius of 40°06′N 105°17′W (4 nautical miles northwest BDU) the surface-699 ft above ground level from Tue 13 Oct, 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC) until Sun 18 Oct, 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC) · BDU 10/236
as issued
!DEN 10/236 BDU AIRSPACE NUMEROUS UAS WI AN AREA DEFINED AS .25NM RADIUS OF 400607N1051705W (4NM NW BDU) SFC-699FT AGL 2610131400-2610190500
From the FAA's notice service (NOTAMs), the site's copy refreshed every few minutes; last checked 1 minutes ago. The FAA has so far issued eFlight its test feed, which misses some notices (checked against the FAA's own search on 12 October: about a third missing at Santa Barbara and Burbank, none at Atlanta or Las Vegas); the request for the full feed is with the FAA. Times are local to the field. This is for planning; the legal briefing comes from Flight Service or the FAA's own tools.
Radar and forecast charts government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
The radar pictures come from the National Weather Service (the nearest radar, then the region); the aviation forecast charts from the Aviation Weather Center's Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (clouds and visibility; surface wind, weather and thunderstorms with the AIRMET boxes); the surface analysis and the 12- and 24-hour forecast charts from the Weather Prediction Center. They are public-domain government images shown as they are published. The turbulence and icing forecasts are drawn live on the Aviation Weather Center's site: turbulence ↗ · icing ↗.
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, and the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Back to Boulder Municipal, where the current observation and the forecast for the field are.