Meadows Field to Denver International BFL → DEN
733 nautical miles (843 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 064°, about 050° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 58 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 65-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:42 am MDT (14:42 UTC). Right now BFL is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 9 knots; DEN is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 11 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: 1,450 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 W20W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 26,000 ft, moving from the south at 35 knots, until 4:55 am PDT (11:55 UTC). Over the route from 248 to 386 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120955 MKCW WST 120955 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 20W VALID UNTIL 1155Z AZ UT NV FROM 50E ELY-40ENE BCE-70NNE PGS-70N LAS-ELY-50E ELY AREA TS MOV FROM 20035KT. TOPS TO FL260.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 10 to 40 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 69 to 545 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 178 to 584 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 248 to 644 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the last 406 nm of the route.
- 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 554 to 594 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 178 nm of the route.
- 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). Near the route, at the destination end.
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 BFL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B38M at 22,000 ft, 32 nm south, 1:14 am PDT (08:14 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 683 nm along the route, 32 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN216059/TM 0814/FL220/TP B38M/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 59 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
- Time
- 08:14 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- B763 at 23,000 ft, 17 nm northwest, 3:26 am PDT (10:26 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 703 nm along the route, 17 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN278037/TM 1026/FL230/TP B763/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 37 nm west (278°) of DEN
- Time
- 10:26 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- B737 descending, 3 nm south, 1:10 am PDT (08:10 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the destination end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0810/FLDURD/TP B737/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 08:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light chop
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 (WJF, LAS, BCE, GJT, DEN). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 24 kt | −22 kt | 6 °C | 142 kt | 5 h 10 min | 9:54 am MDT (15:54 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 26 kt | −23 kt | 5 °C | 143 kt | 5 h 08 min | 9:52 am MDT (15:52 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | −24 kt | 0 °C | 144 kt | 5 h 05 min | 9:49 am MDT (15:49 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 34 kt | −29 kt | -4 °C | 149 kt | 4 h 55 min | 9:39 am MDT (15:39 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 41 kt | −34 kt | -8 °C | 154 kt | 4 h 46 min | 9:30 am MDT (15:30 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 48 kt | −40 kt | -12 °C | 160 kt | 4 h 35 min | 9:19 am MDT (15:19 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 49 kt | −41 kt | -13 °C | 161 kt | 4 h 33 min | 9:17 am MDT (15:17 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 60 kt | −54 kt | -22 °C | 174 kt | 4 h 13 min | 8:57 am MDT (14:57 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 69 kt | −63 kt | -30 °C | 183 kt | 4 h | 8:44 am MDT (14:44 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 70 kt | −65 kt | -37 °C | 185 kt | 3 h 58 min | 8:42 am MDT (14:42 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 66 kt | −61 kt | -45 °C | 181 kt | 4 h 03 min | 8:47 am MDT (14:47 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WJF | used from 0 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 210/26 4° | 210/28 2° | 230/23 -4° | 240/28 -13° | 220/47 -23° | 220/57 -30° | 220/65 -37° | 220/59 -45° | |
| LAS | used from 99 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 210/20 8° | 210/29 4° | 200/32 -3° | 200/51 -15° | 210/64 -21° | 220/70 -30° | 220/66 -38° | 220/55 -44° | |
| BCE | used from 248 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 200/32 -2° | 210/57 -15° | 220/71 -22° | 220/69 -30° | 220/64 -38° | 220/67 -44° | |||
| GJT | used from 446 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 220/26 6° | 230/39 0° | 220/55 -13° | 230/60 -23° | 230/78 -31° | 230/80 -35° | 230/74 -44° | ||
| DEN | used from 644 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BFL Bakersfield, CA | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,500 feet | from the north (350°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 509 ft | 2:54 am PDT (09:54 UTC) |
| IYK Inyokern, CA | 59 nm out, 13 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 2,457 ft | ||||
| SGU St George, UT | 287 nm out, 21 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 9,500 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 2,883 ft | 09:56 UTC |
| CDC Cedar City, UT | 317 nm out, 9 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,400 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 5,622 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| HVE Hanksville, UT | 436 nm out, 8 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,500 feet, a broken layer at 6,500 feet | from the south (190°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 4,453 ft | 10:30 UTC |
| CNY Moab, UT | 485 nm out, 12 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,579 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | 545 nm out, 14 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,500 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 16 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 4,861 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| ASE Aspen, CO | 624 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 8,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 7,837 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| BJC Denver, CO | 713 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,673 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| DEN Denver, CO | destination | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,433 ft | 3:53 am MDT (09:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,837 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DEN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:42 am MDT (14:42 UTC)
Wind from the south at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for DEN
- From Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 15,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet
The forecast for BFL, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8783 38NM NE BAKERSFIELD, CA, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Friday, October 23, 2026 UTC on the route, 40 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 23 October · ZLA
- 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 11 nm from the route, 188 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at BFL 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC), at DEN 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm MDT (00:49 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: Meadows Field, Denver International.