Plan a flight · Mon 3:57 am EDT (07:57 UTC)

Charleston Afb/Intl Airport to Sacramento International CHS → SMF

2,035 nautical miles (2,342 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 292°, about 299° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 19 h 23 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 15-knot headwind), arriving about 8:20 pm PDT (03:20 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CHS is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 5 knots; SMF is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 4 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 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 TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 150 to 229 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), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 279 to 369 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), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 728 to 1167 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 1157 to 1766 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Near the route, 1187 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), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 1227 to 1407 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 1417 to 1836 nm out.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 1487 to 1826 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). 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 CHS.

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

A321 at 31,000 ft, 44 nm north, 2:41 am EDT (06:41 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-15KT zdvwc. 1247 nm along the route, 44 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
A21N at 33,000 ft, 44 nm north, 2:59 am EDT (06:59 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw a 10-knot loss of airspeed 100FT zdvwc. 1247 nm along the route, 44 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
COS UA /OV BRK/TM 0659/FL330/TP A21N/TB LGT CHOP/RM MTW +/-10KT 100FT. ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through COS
Where
over BRK
Time
06:59 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
mtw a 10-knot loss of airspeed 100FT zdvwc
A320 at 31,000 ft, 2 nm west, 2:58 am EDT (06:58 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw a 10-knot loss of airspeed 100FT zdvwc. 1267 nm along the route, 2 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PUB UA /OV PUB260040/TM 0658/FL310/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP/RM MTW +/-10KT 100FT. ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through PUB
Where
40 nm west (260°) of PUB
Time
06:58 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
mtw a 10-knot loss of airspeed 100FT zdvwc
B38M at 37,000 ft, 17 nm north, 3:42 am EDT (07:42 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-7KT zdvwc. 1287 nm along the route, 17 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PUB UA /OV PUB280055/TM 0742/FL370/TP B38M/TB LGT CHOP/RM MTW +/-7KT. ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through PUB
Where
55 nm west (280°) of PUB
Time
07:42 UTC
Height
at 37,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
mtw +/-7KT zdvwc
E170 at 22,500 ft, 50 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. 1287 nm along the route, 50 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
GLF6 at 47,000 ft, 17 nm south, 3:47 am EDT (07:47 UTC): remarks: moderate mtw +/-1500FPM zdvwc. 1307 nm along the route, 17 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GUC UA /OV HBU105046/TM 0747/FL470/TP GLF6/RM MOD MTW +/-1500FPM. ZDVWC-
```
Report
a routine report filed through GUC
Where
46 nm east (105°) of HBU
Time
07:47 UTC
Height
at 47,000 ft
Aircraft
GLF6
Remarks
moderate mtw +/-1500FPM zdvwc
PC12 at 26,000 ft, 5 nm southeast, 2:27 am EDT (06:27 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-12. 1317 nm along the route, 5 nm southeast 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, 35 nm north, 2:31 am EDT (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. 1427 nm along the route, 35 nm north 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
PC12 at 12,000 ft, 23 nm north, 3:08 am EDT (07:08 UTC): light turbulence, no icing, 4 °C, remarks: instrument conditions ZDVWC-11. 1457 nm along the route, 23 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GJT UA /OV JNC237019/TM 0708/FL120/TP PC12/TA 04/TB OCNL LGT/IC NEG/RM IMC. ZDVWC-11
```
Report
a routine report filed through GJT
Where
19 nm southwest (237°) of JNC
Time
07:08 UTC
Height
at 12,000 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Temperature
4 °C
Turbulence
occasional light
Icing
none
Remarks
instrument conditions ZDVWC-11
A321 at 31,000 ft, 0 nm north, 2:15 am EDT (06:15 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: mountain wave zlc. 1527 nm along the route, 0 nm north 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 19 forecast points nearest it (CHS, CAE, ATL, HSV, MEM, LIT, SGF, TUL, ICT, GAG, GCK, 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 17 kt	+15 kt	20 °C	105 kt	19 h 23 min	8:20 pm PDT (03:20 UTC)
6,500 ft	260° at 17 kt	+17 kt	15 °C	103 kt	19 h 45 min	8:42 pm PDT (03:42 UTC)
8,500 ft	250° at 18 kt	+17 kt	11 °C	103 kt	19 h 45 min	8:42 pm PDT (03:42 UTC)
10,500 ft	250° at 19 kt	+18 kt	6 °C	102 kt	19 h 57 min	8:54 pm PDT (03:54 UTC)
12,500 ft	250° at 20 kt	+18 kt	2 °C	102 kt	19 h 57 min	8:54 pm PDT (03:54 UTC)
14,500 ft	240° at 22 kt	+19 kt	-2 °C	101 kt	20 h 09 min	9:06 pm PDT (04:06 UTC)
16,500 ft	240° at 25 kt	+20 kt	-6 °C	100 kt	20 h 21 min	9:18 pm PDT (04:18 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	240° at 26 kt	+21 kt	-9 °C	99 kt	20 h 33 min	9:30 pm PDT (04:30 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	240° at 33 kt	+29 kt	-20 °C	91 kt	22 h 22 min	11:19 pm PDT (06:19 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	250° at 43 kt	+40 kt	-30 °C	80 kt	25 h 26 min	2:23 am PDT (09:23 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 44 kt	+42 kt	-37 °C	78 kt	26 h 05 min	3:02 am PDT (10:02 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	260° at 39 kt	+38 kt	-47 °C	82 kt	24 h 49 min	1:46 am PDT (08:46 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
CHS	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	280/21	270/23 12°	280/28 11°	260/35 6°	250/41 -5°	250/45 -16°	230/59 -32°	220/74 -40°	230/67 -52°
CAE	used from 50 nm out; 38 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°
ATL	used from 150 nm out; 59 nm from the line	320/30	330/37 16°	340/44 11°	330/35 7°	310/33 -6°	300/38 -18°	330/58 -33°	330/48 -40°	320/34 -49°
HSV	used from 299 nm out; 32 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°
MEM	used from 449 nm out; 54 nm from the line	230/19	260/16 15°	270/17 12°	300/13 6°	300/15 -5°	300/26 -18°	300/34 -32°	300/41 -40°	310/46 -52°
LIT	used from 599 nm out; 89 nm from the line	220/21	230/17 16°	250/24 12°	260/15 7°	260/13 -5°	280/25 -16°	290/35 -30°	300/42 -40°	300/40 -52°
SGF	used from 649 nm out; 53 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 748 nm out; 56 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 848 nm out; 34 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°
GAG	used from 948 nm out; 80 nm from the line		220/40 19°	230/28 14°	240/23 8°	230/21 -6°	240/31 -19°	250/66 -29°	260/58 -38°	260/47 -49°
GCK	used from 998 nm out; 33 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°
PUB	used from 1147 nm out; 61 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 1297 nm out; 61 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 1347 nm out; 64 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 1497 nm out; 92 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 1646 nm out; 57 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 1846 nm out; 86 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 1896 nm out; 52 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 1996 nm out; 20 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
CHS Charleston, SC	departure	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the southwest (220°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	46 ft	2:56 am EDT (06:56 UTC)
AHN Athens, GA	180 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	from the west (280°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	812 ft	07:51 UTC
LZU Lawrenceville, GA	210 nm out, 10 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the west (270°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	1,061 ft	06:56 UTC
MKL Jackson, TN	469 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	434 ft	07:53 UTC
BBG Branson, MO	688 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	1,302 ft	07:35 UTC
ICT Wichita, KS	898 nm out, 24 nm north of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	none	1,332 ft	07:53 UTC
GCK Garden City, KS	1058 nm out, 12 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southwest (200°) at 21 knots, gusting to 32	10+ mi	none	2,890 ft	07:54 UTC
PUB Pueblo, CO	1237 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the southwest (230°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	none	4,729 ft	06:53 UTC
RIF Richfield, UT	1586 nm out, 5 nm west of the line	VFR	from the southeast (140°) at 2 knots	10+ mi	none	5,318 ft	07:34 UTC
MLF Milford, UT	1636 nm out, 20 nm south of the line	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet Weather: light rain	from the south-southwest (210°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	9,000 ft	5,042 ft	07:52 UTC
PVF Placerville, CA	1996 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line	reported, no category	calm	10+ mi	none	2,585 ft	07:35 UTC
SMF Sacramento, CA	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet	from the southeast (130°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	26 ft	12:53 am PDT (07:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 5,318 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, 8:20 pm PDT (03:20 UTC)

Wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies 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 CHS, the departure

From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 8 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

6/3475 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 CHS 6:50 pm EDT (22:50 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 after sunset there (6:32 pm PDT (01:32 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: Charleston Afb/Intl Airport, Sacramento International.