Plan a flight · Mon 1:17 am EDT (05:17 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 31 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 14-knot headwind), arriving about 4:48 pm PDT (23:48 UTC). Right now CAE is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 5 knots; SMF is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 7 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 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 7C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 2:55 am EDT (06:55 UTC). Over the route from 1156 to 1245 nm out.

as issued

WSUS32 KKCI 120455
MKCC WST 120455
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 7C
VALID UNTIL 0655Z
TX OK CO NM
FROM 40NNW PUB-70WSW LBL-40NE CME-40ESE RSK-30ENE HBU-40NNW PUB
AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL340.

SIGMET W14W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 2:55 am EDT (06:55 UTC). Over the route from 1704 to 1793 nm out.
as issued
```
WSUS33 KKCI 120455
MKCW WST 120455
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 14W
VALID UNTIL 0655Z
NV
FROM 40NW BVL-20WNW ELY-20SSE OAL-40WNW OAL-50NE BAM-40NW BVL
AREA TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL280.
```
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 40 to 149 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Near the route, 90 nm along the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 149 to 179 nm out.
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 route from 189 to 309 nm out.
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 648 to 1096 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 1086 to 1694 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Near the route, 1106 nm along 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 1166 to 1345 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1345 to 1763 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 1405 to 1763 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 CAE.

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

urgent E75L at 9,000 ft, 34 nm north, 12:30 am EDT (04:30 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach. 1275 nm along the route, 34 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
BE9L at 24,500 ft, 22 nm south, 10:21 pm EDT (02:21 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 1195 nm along the route, 22 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0221/FL245/TP BE9L/TB OCNL MOD/RM ZDVWC-41
```
Report
a routine report filed through PUB
Where
40 nm west (250°) of PUB
Time
02:21 UTC
Height
at 24,500 ft
Aircraft
BE9L
Turbulence
occasional moderate
Remarks
ZDVWC-41
CL60 at 33,000 ft, 30 nm north, 10:35 pm EDT (02:35 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-100FT zdvwc. 1156 nm along the route, 30 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UA /OV BRK080015/TM 0235/FL330/TP CL60/RM MTW +/-100FT ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through COS
Where
15 nm east (080°) of BRK
Time
02:35 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
CL60
Remarks
mtw +/-100FT zdvwc
E170 at 22,500 ft, 35 nm north, 1:06 am EDT (05:06 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 23,000 ft, remarks: during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13. 1215 nm along the route, 35 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
B38M at 36,000 ft, 39 nm south, 10:22 pm EDT (02:22 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-200FT ZDVWC-30. 1215 nm along the route, 39 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ALS UA /OV ALS360035/TM 0222/FL360/TP B38M/TB LGT/RM MTW +/-200FT ZDVWC-30
```
Report
a routine report filed through ALS
Where
35 nm north (360°) of ALS
Time
02:22 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
light
Remarks
mtw +/-200FT ZDVWC-30
B733 at 20,000 ft, 13 nm south, 11:16 pm EDT (03:16 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 20,000 ft, clear from 20,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-12. 1285 nm along the route, 13 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GUC UA /OV HBU/TM 0316/FL200/TP B733/SK SKC/TB OCNL LGT CHOP BLO 200/RM DURC ZDVWC-12
```
Report
a routine report filed through GUC
Where
over HBU
Time
03:16 UTC
Height
at 20,000 ft
Aircraft
B733
Sky
clear
Turbulence
occasional light chop below 20,000 ft
Remarks
during the climb ZDVWC-12
BE20 at 16,000 ft, 50 nm north, 11:28 pm EDT (03:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing, -3 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-11. 1315 nm along the route, 50 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RIL UA /OV RIL/TM 0328/FL160/TP BE20/TA M03/TB LGT CHOP/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-11
```
Report
a routine report filed through RIL
Where
over RIL
Time
03:28 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
BE20
Temperature
−3 °C
Turbulence
light chop
Icing
light rime
Remarks
ZDVWC-11
UAL2479 at 36,000 ft, 27 nm north, 11:11 pm EDT (03:11 UTC): no turbulence, wind 231° at 49 knots. 1325 nm along the route, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL2479 3910N 10753W 0311 F360 231/049KT TB SMTH IC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
C501 at 15,000 ft, 14 nm north, 10:32 pm EDT (02:32 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing, -2 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 1345 nm along the route, 14 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GJT UA /OV JNC090020/TM 0232/FL150/TP C501/TA M02/TB INTMT LGT CHOP/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through GJT
Where
20 nm east (090°) of JNC
Time
02:32 UTC
Height
at 15,000 ft
Aircraft
C501
Temperature
−2 °C
Turbulence
intermittent light chop
Icing
light rime
Remarks
zdvwc
GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 46 nm north, 10:24 pm EDT (02:24 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 1455 nm along the route, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PUC UA /OV PUC1130028/TM 0224/FL450/TP GLF6/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-03
```
Report
a routine report filed through PUC
Where
28 nm southeast (130°) of PUC1
Time
02:24 UTC
Height
at 45,000 ft
Aircraft
GLF6
Turbulence
continuous light chop
Remarks
ZDVWC-03

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 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	240° at 18 kt	+14 kt	21 °C	106 kt	18 h 31 min	4:48 pm PDT (23:48 UTC)
6,500 ft	260° at 16 kt	+15 kt	15 °C	105 kt	18 h 42 min	4:59 pm PDT (23:59 UTC)
8,500 ft	240° at 18 kt	+16 kt	10 °C	104 kt	18 h 52 min	5:09 pm PDT (00:09 UTC)
10,500 ft	250° at 18 kt	+17 kt	6 °C	103 kt	19 h 03 min	5:20 pm PDT (00:20 UTC)
12,500 ft	250° at 19 kt	+18 kt	2 °C	102 kt	19 h 15 min	5:32 pm PDT (00:32 UTC)
14,500 ft	240° at 21 kt	+19 kt	-2 °C	101 kt	19 h 26 min	5:43 pm PDT (00:43 UTC)
16,500 ft	240° at 23 kt	+20 kt	-6 °C	100 kt	19 h 38 min	5:55 pm PDT (00:55 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	240° at 25 kt	+21 kt	-9 °C	99 kt	19 h 50 min	6:07 pm PDT (01:07 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	240° at 31 kt	+27 kt	-20 °C	93 kt	21 h 06 min	7:23 pm PDT (02:23 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	250° at 42 kt	+40 kt	-30 °C	80 kt	24 h 32 min	10:49 pm PDT (05:49 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	260° at 45 kt	+44 kt	-37 °C	76 kt	25 h 50 min	12:07 am PDT (07:07 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 38 kt	+39 kt	-47 °C	81 kt	24 h 14 min	10:31 pm PDT (05:31 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
CAE	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	330/15	330/13 12°	330/22 9°	300/26 6°	280/33 -7°	270/38 -18°	250/45 -33°	240/46 -40°	270/38 -49°
GSP	used from 50 nm out; 36 nm from the line	320/22	340/19 13°	320/18 8°	310/24 5°	300/34 -7°	300/36 -18°	290/30 -33°	300/32 -39°	320/42 -49°
TYS	used from 149 nm out; 59 nm from the line	320/20	340/18 11°	340/32 9°	340/36 4°	330/37 -7°	330/38 -19°	330/50 -34°	330/53 -38°	330/44 -48°
HSV	used from 199 nm out; 74 nm from the line	310/20	330/20 16°	320/27 11°	340/23 5°	320/23 -7°	340/30 -17°	320/50 -33°	330/61 -41°	340/41 -50°
BNA	used from 249 nm out; 45 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 398 nm out; 68 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 548 nm out; 60 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°
TUL	used from 697 nm out; 71 nm from the line	210/37	240/29 17°	260/15 14°	260/11 7°	240/22 -6°	250/29 -16°	270/45 -29°	270/47 -40°	280/44 -50°
ICT	used from 747 nm out; 52 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°
GCK	used from 897 nm out; 60 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 1046 nm out; 78 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 1096 nm out; 41 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°
ALS	used from 1245 nm out; 85 nm from the line				230/37 4°	220/54 -9°	230/62 -22°	240/77 -26°	240/74 -33°	230/59 -45°
GJT	used from 1295 nm out; 40 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 1445 nm out; 86 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 1544 nm out; 81 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°
BIH	used from 1743 nm out; 100 nm from the line		L/V	240/7 1°	190/13 -3°	200/26 -16°	210/43 -26°	220/54 -28°	220/51 -35°	220/47 -43°
RNO	used from 1793 nm out; 71 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 1893 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
CAE Columbia, SC	departure	VFR	from the west-southwest (240°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	235 ft	12:56 am EDT (04:56 UTC)
GRD Greenwood, SC	60 nm out, 5 nm east of the line	VFR	from the west-southwest (250°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	631 ft	04:56 UTC
CHA Chattanooga, TN	209 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	682 ft	04:53 UTC
MKL Jackson, TN	398 nm out, 25 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (210°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	434 ft	04:53 UTC
JLN Joplin, MO	677 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	977 ft	04:53 UTC
ICT Wichita, KS	827 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20	10+ mi	none	1,332 ft	04:53 UTC
PUB Pueblo, CO	1156 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	none	4,729 ft	04:53 UTC
GJT Grand Junction, CO	1355 nm out, 23 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet	from the north-northwest (330°) at 5 knots, gusting to 15	10+ mi	10,000 ft	4,861 ft	04:53 UTC
CNY Moab, UT	1405 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line	VFR	from the south (190°) at 13 knots, gusting to 20	10+ mi	none	4,579 ft	04:53 UTC
ELY Ely, NV	1644 nm out, 24 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,300 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet	from the south-southeast (160°) at 12 knots, gusting to 21	10+ mi	4,300 ft	6,259 ft	04:53 UTC
PVF Placerville, CA	1923 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line	reported, no category	calm	10+ mi	none	2,585 ft	04:55 UTC
SMF Sacramento, CA	destination	VFR	from the south (190°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	26 ft	9:53 pm PDT (04:53 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, 4:48 pm PDT (23:48 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 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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

The forecast for CAE, the departure

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet

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 6:32 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

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.