Nashville International to Sacramento International BNA → SMF
1,662 nautical miles (1,913 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 286°, about 289° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 15 h 59 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 16-knot headwind), arriving about 3:58 pm PDT (22:58 UTC). Right now BNA is VFR, wind calm; SMF is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 3 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: 688 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 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 30 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: 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 338 to 786 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 786 to 1383 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the route from 806 to 1204 nm out.
- 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 876 to 1055 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1055 to 1463 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 1095 to 1463 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 80 nm of the route.
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 BNA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E75L at 9,000 ft, 19 nm north, 11:30 pm CDT (04:30 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach. 975 nm along the route, 19 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UUA /OV ASE/TM 0430/FL090/TP E75L/RM LLWS +/- 20K 1000-1500 AGL ON APCH
- Report
- an urgent report filed through ASE
- Where
- over ASE
- Time
- 04:30 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach
- A321 at 31,000 ft, 11 nm north, 1:41 am CDT (06:41 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-15KT zdvwc. 866 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK/TM 0641/FL310/TP A321/TB MOD/RM MTW +/-15KT. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- over BRK
- Time
- 06:41 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- mtw +/-15KT zdvwc
- CRJ2 at 22,000 ft, 18 nm north, 1:35 am CDT (06:35 UTC): no turbulence up to 26,000 ft, no icing, clear from 22,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the descent ZDVWC-26. 916 nm along the route, 18 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN220060/TM 0635/FL220/TP CRJ2/SK SKC/TB NEG BLO 260/IC NEG/RM DURD/ ZDVWC-26
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 60 nm southwest (220°) of DEN
- Time
- 06:35 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- no below 26,000 ft
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent ZDVWC-26
- A20N at 25,000 ft, 49 nm north, 1:19 am CDT (06:19 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 26,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-06. 916 nm along the route, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN250045/TM 0619/FL250/TP A20N/TB OCNL LGT CHOP BLO 260/RM DURC. ZDVWC-06
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm west (250°) of DEN
- Time
- 06:19 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A20N
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop below 26,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-06
- E170 at 22,500 ft, 18 nm north, 12:06 am CDT (05:06 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 23,000 ft, remarks: during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13. 916 nm along the route, 18 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN216057/TM 0506/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD BLO 230/RM DURD TBARR STAR. ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 57 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
- Time
- 05:06 UTC
- Height
- at 22,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate below 23,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13
- B738 at 23,000 ft, 26 nm north, 1:23 am CDT (06:23 UTC): no turbulence from 23,000 ft to 26,000 ft, clear from 23,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the descent sskii star ZDVWC-06. 926 nm along the route, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN230060/TM 0623/FL230/TP B738/SK SKC/TB NEG 230-260/RM DURD SSKII STAR. ZDVWC-06
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 60 nm southwest (230°) of DEN
- Time
- 06:23 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- no from 23,000 ft to 26,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent sskii star ZDVWC-06
- PC12 at 26,000 ft, 35 nm south, 1:27 am CDT (06:27 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-12. 945 nm along the route, 35 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV HBU090040/TM 0627/FL260/TP PC12/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-12
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- 40 nm east (090°) of HBU
- Time
- 06:27 UTC
- Height
- at 26,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-12
- E170 at 4,800 ft, 9 nm northeast, 1:31 am CDT (06:31 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, clear from 4,800 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the descent rnav Y 11 lgjt zdvwc. 1055 nm along the route, 9 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
GJT UA /OV GJT/TM 0631/FL048/TP E170/SK SKC/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURD RNAV Y 11 LGJT. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GJT
- Where
- over GJT
- Time
- 06:31 UTC
- Height
- at 4,800 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent rnav Y 11 lgjt zdvwc
- A321 at 31,000 ft, 22 nm south, 1:15 am CDT (06:15 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: mountain wave zlc. 1155 nm along the route, 22 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CNY UA /OV HVE340015/TM 0615/FL310/TP A321/TB OCNL LGT-MOD CHOP /RM MTN WAVE /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CNY
- Where
- 15 nm north (340°) of HVE
- Time
- 06:15 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- occasional light to moderate chop
- Remarks
- mountain wave zlc
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 westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 15 forecast points nearest it (BNA, CGI, SGF, MKC, ICT, SLN, GCK, GLD, PUB, GJT, BCE, ELY, BAM, RNO, SAC). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | +16 kt | 21 °C | 104 kt | 15 h 59 min | 3:58 pm PDT (22:58 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 240° at 21 kt | +17 kt | 16 °C | 103 kt | 16 h 08 min | 4:07 pm PDT (23:07 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 22 kt | +16 kt | 10 °C | 104 kt | 15 h 59 min | 3:58 pm PDT (22:58 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 22 kt | +17 kt | 5 °C | 103 kt | 16 h 08 min | 4:07 pm PDT (23:07 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 22 kt | +18 kt | 2 °C | 102 kt | 16 h 18 min | 4:17 pm PDT (23:17 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | +19 kt | -3 °C | 101 kt | 16 h 27 min | 4:26 pm PDT (23:26 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | +20 kt | -7 °C | 100 kt | 16 h 37 min | 4:36 pm PDT (23:36 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 28 kt | +21 kt | -10 °C | 99 kt | 16 h 47 min | 4:46 pm PDT (23:46 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 34 kt | +27 kt | -21 °C | 93 kt | 17 h 52 min | 5:51 pm PDT (00:51 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 46 kt | +40 kt | -29 °C | 80 kt | 20 h 46 min | 8:45 pm PDT (03:45 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 49 kt | +45 kt | -36 °C | 75 kt | 22 h 10 min | 10:09 pm PDT (05:09 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 43 kt | +41 kt | -47 °C | 79 kt | 21 h 02 min | 9:01 pm PDT (04:01 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BNA | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 310/20 | 340/20 17° | 330/24 10° | 340/22 5° | 330/26 -6° | 340/29 -18° | 330/52 -33° | 320/62 -41° | 340/45 -50° |
| CGI | used from 100 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 240/20 | 270/15 15° | 280/15 11° | 300/13 6° | 290/20 -6° | 280/24 -18° | 300/34 -32° | 300/47 -41° | 310/49 -51° |
| SGF | used from 249 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 230/33 | 230/28 15° | 250/20 13° | 240/18 7° | 250/20 -6° | 250/24 -17° | 280/42 -31° | 280/49 -40° | 290/46 -51° |
| MKC | used from 398 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/28 18° | 250/18 13° | 240/12 6° | 280/24 -6° | 240/34 -18° | 260/47 -30° | 260/51 -40° | 270/58 -50° |
| ICT | used from 448 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 200/48 | 230/39 19° | 240/24 14° | 240/20 8° | 240/22 -6° | 250/31 -18° | 250/61 -29° | 260/58 -38° | 270/54 -49° |
| SLN | used from 547 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 210/53 | 230/41 20° | 240/26 14° | 230/16 8° | 240/25 -7° | 240/35 -19° | 250/61 -30° | 260/65 -38° | 260/56 -49° |
| GCK | used from 597 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 220/48 21° | 230/37 14° | 250/30 8° | 230/37 -6° | 240/37 -20° | 240/69 -28° | 250/67 -37° | 260/58 -48° | |
| GLD | used from 746 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 230/49 | 230/42 15° | 220/26 8° | 240/18 -7° | 230/27 -21° | 240/62 -30° | 240/61 -35° | 250/57 -47° | |
| PUB | used from 796 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 230/25 13° | 230/32 6° | 220/44 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 240/70 -28° | 240/67 -34° | 240/58 -46° | ||
| GJT | used from 945 nm out; 82 nm from the line | 210/43 7° | 230/45 1° | 220/49 -12° | 220/62 -22° | 220/59 -28° | 230/60 -33° | 220/55 -45° | ||
| BCE | used from 1145 nm out; 95 nm from the line | 220/27 -1° | 210/40 -13° | 220/54 -21° | 220/64 -30° | 220/64 -34° | 220/52 -44° | |||
| ELY | used from 1244 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 200/39 3° | 210/27 -2° | 210/45 -15° | 220/56 -24° | 210/60 -28° | 210/63 -34° | 220/61 -43° | ||
| BAM | used from 1443 nm out; 103 nm from the line | 310/7 0° | 270/19 -7° | 200/38 -17° | 190/49 -28° | 220/69 -29° | 220/63 -33° | 230/48 -41° | ||
| RNO | used from 1493 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 010/9 | 320/10 -2° | 210/23 -9° | 210/34 -19° | 220/36 -25° | 230/31 -29° | 230/41 -33° | 230/38 -42° | |
| SAC | used from 1592 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 110/6 | L/V 4° | 010/11 -2° | 350/11 -7° | 340/24 -16° | 360/44 -23° | 330/24 -30° | 270/21 -35° | 230/23 -43° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BNA Nashville, TN | departure | VFR | calm | 9 mi | none | 599 ft | 1:53 am CDT (06:53 UTC) |
| DXE Dexter, MO | 159 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 304 ft | ||||
| SGF Springfield, MO | 328 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,268 ft | 06:52 UTC |
| FSK Fort Scott, KS | 398 nm out, 7 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 918 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| HUT Hutchinson, KS | 547 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 1,542 ft | 06:52 UTC |
| TQK Scott City, KS | 697 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 19 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,968 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 876 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a few clouds at 20,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,187 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | 1055 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 4,861 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| FOM Fillmore, UT | 1234 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 4,984 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| GAB Gabbs, NV | 1493 nm out, 1 nm east of the line | no report just now | 4,699 ft | ||||
| PVF Placerville, CA | 1622 nm out, 2 nm south of the line | reported, no category | calm | 10+ mi | none | 2,585 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| SMF Sacramento, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 26 ft | 11:53 pm PDT (06:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,187 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SMF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:58 pm PDT (22:58 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SMF
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for BNA, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 4 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south at 2 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 300 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/0708 Goodlettsville, TN, Saturday, August 1, 2026 through Sunday, August 1, 2027 UTC 13 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 1 August · ZME
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 5 nm from the route, 906 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
- 6/3475 BEALE AFB, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 16 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 1 November · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at BNA 6:15 pm CDT (23:15 UTC), at SMF 6:32 pm PDT (01:32 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:59 pm PDT (01:59 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: Nashville International, Sacramento International.
