Plan a flight · Mon 10:10 am EDT (14:10 UTC)

Columbia Metro Airport to Sacramento International CAE → SMF

1,963 nautical miles (2,259 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 290°, about 297° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 18 h 11 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 12-knot headwind), arriving about 1:21 am PDT (08:21 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CAE is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 11 knots, gusting to 17; SMF is VFR, wind calm. 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 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 W28W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the south at 35 knots, until 11:55 am EDT (15:55 UTC). Near the route, 1654 nm along the route.
as issued
```
WSUS33 KKCI 121355
MKCW WST 121355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 28W
VALID UNTIL 1555Z
UT NV
FROM 30SSW ELY-20E ILC-70NNE LAS-60ENE BTY-30SSW ELY
AREA TS MOV FROM 20035KT. TOPS TO FL300.
```
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 110 to 169 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 658 to 897 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 route from 1086 to 1484 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 1146 to 1355 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1285 to 1793 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 1365 to 1803 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1365 to 1415 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 199 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1873 to 1883 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 CAE.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

B739 at 36,000 ft, 24 nm north, 7:18 am EDT (11:18 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 36. 100 nm along the route, 24 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ODF065025/TM 1118/FL360/TP B739/TB MOD/RM ZTLFD 36
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
25 nm northeast (065°) of ODF
Time
11:18 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
ztlfd 36
C172 at 9,500 ft, 33 nm north, 8:43 am EDT (12:43 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 1176 nm along the route, 33 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UA /OV BRK348/005/TM 1243/FL095/TP C172/TB TB MOD CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through COS
Where
BRK348/005
Time
12:43 UTC
Height
at 9,500 ft
Aircraft
C172
Turbulence
turbulence moderate chop
BCS3 at 19,000 ft, 31 nm north, 9:32 am EDT (13:32 UTC): moderate rime icing, -15 °C. 1534 nm along the route, 31 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DTA UA /OV DTA038010/TM 1332/FL190/TP BCS3/TA M15/IC MOD RIME 140-190 TOP 200/ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through DTA
Where
10 nm northeast (038°) of DTA
Time
13:32 UTC
Height
at 19,000 ft
Aircraft
BCS3
Temperature
−15 °C
Icing
moderate rime from 14,000 ft to 19,000 ft top 200/ZLC
E145 at 6,500 ft, 40 nm southwest, 9:18 am EDT (13:18 UTC): clear from 6,500 ft to 60,000 ft. At the departure end, 40 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AGS UA /OV AGS 350008/TM 1318/FL065/TP E145/SK SKC
```
Report
a routine report filed through AGS
Where
8 nm north (350°) of AGS
Time
13:18 UTC
Height
at 6,500 ft
Aircraft
E145
Sky
clear
C172 at 4,500 ft, 7 nm northeast, 9:17 am EDT (13:17 UTC): no turbulence, wind 000° at 0 knots. At the departure end, 7 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EOE UA /OV EOE180006 /TM 1317 /FL045 /TP C172 /WV 00000KT /TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through EOE
Where
6 nm south (180°) of EOE
Time
13:17 UTC
Height
at 4,500 ft
Aircraft
C172
Wind
from 000° at 0 knots
Turbulence
none
C68A at 1,500 ft, 47 nm south, 8:12 am EDT (12:12 UTC): no turbulence, clear from 1,500 ft to 60,000 ft. At the departure end, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AGS UA /OV AGS/TM 1212/FL015/TP C68A/SK SKC/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through AGS
Where
over AGS
Time
12:12 UTC
Height
at 1,500 ft
Aircraft
C68A
Sky
clear
Turbulence
none
A320 at 31,000 ft, 48 nm north, 9:01 am EDT (13:01 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 34. At the departure end, 48 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV SPA/TM 1301/FL310/TP A320/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 34
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over SPA
Time
13:01 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 34
B737 at 17,000 ft, 2 nm southeast, 9:14 am EDT (13:14 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 16. 90 nm along the route, 2 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ELW/TM 1314/FL170/TP B737/TB NEG/RM ZTLFD 16
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ELW
Time
13:14 UTC
Height
at 17,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ztlfd 16
C56X at 45,000 ft, 2 nm southeast, 8:32 am EDT (12:32 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 28. 90 nm along the route, 2 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ELW/TM 1232/FL450/TP C56X/TB NEG/RM ZTLFD 28
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ELW
Time
12:32 UTC
Height
at 45,000 ft
Aircraft
C56X
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ztlfd 28
LJ45 at 41,000 ft, 7 nm northeast, 9:45 am EDT (13:45 UTC): remarks: mountain wave + 40FT 10 knots ztlfd 40. 120 nm along the route, 7 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ODF/TM 1345/FL410/TP LJ45/RM MTN WAVE +- 40FT 10 KTS ZTLFD 40
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ODF
Time
13:45 UTC
Height
at 41,000 ft
Aircraft
LJ45
Remarks
mountain wave + 40FT 10 knots ztlfd 40
B712 at 20,000 ft, 7 nm northeast, 7:17 am EDT (11:17 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 49. 120 nm along the route, 7 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ODF/TM 1117/FL200/TP B712/TB NEG/RM ZTLFD 49
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ODF
Time
11:17 UTC
Height
at 20,000 ft
Aircraft
B712
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ztlfd 49
E145 at 300 ft, 5 nm southwest, 10:01 am EDT (14:01 UTC): overcast from 20,000 ft to 1,200 ft, fog, remarks: runway 20 below ils mins. 209 nm along the route, 5 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV OV CHA/TM 1401/FL003/TP E145/SK OVC002-TOPS012/WX 1/4SM FG/RM RY 20 BELOW ILS MINS
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
over cha
Time
14:01 UTC
Height
at 300 ft
Aircraft
E145
Sky
overcast from 200 ft, tops 1,200 ft
Weather
1/4SM, fog
Remarks
runway 20 below ils mins
DA62 at 1,100 ft, 5 nm southwest, 9:05 am EDT (13:05 UTC): fog. 209 nm along the route, 5 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA 1S/TM 1305/FL011/TP DA62/SK VV002-TOP011/WX 1/8SM FG
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
cha 1S
Time
13:05 UTC
Height
at 1,100 ft
Aircraft
DA62
Sky
sky obscured from 200 ft, tops 1,100 ft
Weather
1/8SM, fog
CRJ9 at 200 ft, 5 nm southwest, 8:30 am EDT (12:30 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: visual at mins runway 20 cha. 209 nm along the route, 5 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA 1N/TM 1230/FL002/TP CRJ9/SK VV002/WX 1/8SM/RM VISUAL AT MINS RY 20 CHA
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
cha 1N
Time
12:30 UTC
Height
at 200 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
sky obscured from 200 ft
Weather
1/8SM
Remarks
visual at mins runway 20 cha

15 more routine reports are on the map.

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 19 forecast points nearest it (CAE, GSP, TYS, HSV, BNA, CGI, SGF, TUL, ICT, GCK, GLD, PUB, ALS, GJT, BCE, ELY, BIH, 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	250° at 13 kt	+12 kt	20 °C	108 kt	18 h 11 min	1:21 am PDT (08:21 UTC)
6,500 ft	260° at 15 kt	+14 kt	15 °C	106 kt	18 h 31 min	1:41 am PDT (08:41 UTC)
8,500 ft	250° at 17 kt	+15 kt	10 °C	105 kt	18 h 42 min	1:52 am PDT (08:52 UTC)
10,500 ft	240° at 20 kt	+17 kt	5 °C	103 kt	19 h 03 min	2:13 am PDT (09:13 UTC)
12,500 ft	250° at 23 kt	+20 kt	2 °C	100 kt	19 h 38 min	2:48 am PDT (09:48 UTC)
14,500 ft	250° at 25 kt	+21 kt	-3 °C	99 kt	19 h 50 min	3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC)
16,500 ft	250° at 26 kt	+23 kt	-7 °C	97 kt	20 h 14 min	3:24 am PDT (10:24 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	250° at 27 kt	+24 kt	-10 °C	96 kt	20 h 27 min	3:37 am PDT (10:37 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	250° at 35 kt	+31 kt	-21 °C	89 kt	22 h 03 min	5:13 am PDT (12:13 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	260° at 50 kt	+48 kt	-31 °C	72 kt	27 h 16 min	10:26 am PDT (17:26 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	260° at 52 kt	+51 kt	-38 °C	69 kt	28 h 27 min	11:37 am PDT (18:37 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 50 kt	+49 kt	-48 °C	71 kt	27 h 39 min	10:49 am PDT (17:49 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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
CAE	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	340/11	330/13 14°	350/24 11°	350/26 8°	340/26 -5°	350/33 -18°	340/31 -32°	340/30 -41°	330/32 -52°
GSP	used from 50 nm out; 36 nm from the line	330/14	360/26 17°	360/22 11°	330/20 6°	310/27 -5°	320/24 -18°	310/28 -33°	320/38 -40°	330/30 -51°
TYS	used from 149 nm out; 59 nm from the line	320/8	330/17 16°	320/17 9°	310/24 6°	290/23 -6°	290/28 -19°	300/36 -33°	310/48 -40°	320/46 -50°
HSV	used from 199 nm out; 74 nm from the line	290/11	300/10 15°	300/17 12°	290/20 6°	290/18 -5°	290/25 -17°	310/38 -31°	320/47 -40°	330/43 -50°
BNA	used from 249 nm out; 45 nm from the line	270/14	270/10 14°	280/19 11°	280/26 6°	280/25 -6°	280/31 -18°	300/44 -32°	300/53 -40°	310/51 -49°
CGI	used from 398 nm out; 68 nm from the line	250/22	250/17 15°	250/25 11°	260/27 7°	270/35 -7°	280/38 -17°	300/63 -31°	300/62 -38°	300/55 -49°
SGF	used from 548 nm out; 60 nm from the line	220/23	240/29 16°	240/21 13°	240/15 7°	270/28 -7°	260/34 -18°	280/67 -29°	290/59 -37°	290/51 -49°
TUL	used from 697 nm out; 71 nm from the line	210/24	220/29 18°	240/17 14°	250/16 8°	260/28 -6°	260/36 -18°	270/63 -28°	280/54 -37°	290/46 -49°
ICT	used from 747 nm out; 52 nm from the line	200/26	240/31 21°	230/30 14°	240/30 7°	250/38 -8°	240/49 -19°	260/73 -27°	270/69 -37°	270/63 -48°
GCK	used from 897 nm out; 60 nm from the line		250/23 20°	230/35 13°	240/47 7°	240/42 -7°	250/43 -20°	240/81 -28°	250/87 -37°	250/83 -49°
GLD	used from 1046 nm out; 78 nm from the line		240/22	250/24 13°	250/39 6°	230/42 -8°	230/55 -21°	240/87 -30°	240/96 -36°	250/93 -48°
PUB	used from 1096 nm out; 41 nm from the line			250/31 11°	240/42 5°	230/46 -7°	230/59 -20°	240/77 -30°	230/94 -37°	240/95 -49°
ALS	used from 1245 nm out; 85 nm from the line				230/34 2°	230/57 -9°	230/72 -19°	230/82 -27°	230/91 -36°	240/89 -48°
GJT	used from 1295 nm out; 40 nm from the line			190/30 6°	200/35 0°	220/50 -13°	220/69 -22°	220/81 -30°	230/84 -39°	230/88 -47°
BCE	used from 1445 nm out; 86 nm from the line				200/31 -2°	190/46 -14°	210/72 -24°	210/87 -30°	220/89 -38°	220/78 -46°
ELY	used from 1544 nm out; 81 nm from the line			210/17 0°	220/30 -6°	190/50 -19°	200/56 -28°	210/76 -32°	210/63 -37°	210/59 -43°
BIH	used from 1743 nm out; 100 nm from the line		L/V	340/7 -3°	L/V -8°	250/15 -17°	330/30 -24°	270/23 -34°	230/35 -39°	230/39 -44°
RNO	used from 1793 nm out; 71 nm from the line		L/V	280/12 -4°	260/15 -10°	340/47 -17°	340/75 -25°	330/47 -37°	280/20 -40°	240/24 -42°
SAC	used from 1893 nm out; 43 nm from the line	L/V	320/8 4°	330/12 -3°	350/25 -6°	350/63 -12°	340/65 -24°	340/60 -40°	340/45 -45°	290/24 -45°

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
CAE Columbia, SC	departure	VFR	from the northwest (320°) at 11 knots, gusting to 17	10+ mi	none	235 ft	9:56 am EDT (13:56 UTC)
GRD Greenwood, SC	60 nm out, 5 nm east of the line	VFR	from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	631 ft	13:56 UTC
CHA Chattanooga, TN	209 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower	low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog	from the west (270°) at 3 knots	0.25 mi	200 ft	682 ft	13:53 UTC
MKL Jackson, TN	398 nm out, 25 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	434 ft	13:53 UTC
JLN Joplin, MO	677 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 17 knots, gusting to 22	10+ mi	none	977 ft	13:53 UTC
ICT Wichita, KS	827 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 15,000 feet, a broken layer at 18,000 feet	from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 21	10+ mi	18,000 ft	1,332 ft	13:53 UTC
PUB Pueblo, CO	1156 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the north-northwest (330°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	4,729 ft	13:53 UTC
GJT Grand Junction, CO	1355 nm out, 23 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: overcast at 11,000 feet	from the east-southeast (120°) at 15 knots	10+ mi	11,000 ft	4,861 ft	13:53 UTC
CNY Moab, UT	1405 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	4,579 ft	13:53 UTC
ELY Ely, NV	1644 nm out, 24 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,700 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet	from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	6,000 ft	6,259 ft	13:53 UTC
PVF Placerville, CA	1923 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line	reported, no category	calm	10+ mi	none	2,585 ft	13:55 UTC
SMF Sacramento, CA	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet	calm	10+ mi	none	26 ft	6:53 am PDT (13:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 6,259 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, 1:21 am PDT (08:21 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for SMF

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
From Mon 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

The forecast for CAE, the departure

From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 22 nm from the route, 1205 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 CAE 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC), at SMF 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:57 pm PDT (01:57 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SMF is before sunrise there (7:13 am PDT (14:13 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 Southeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the lower Mississippi valley · 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: Columbia Metro Airport, Sacramento International.