Denver International to Lea County Regional DEN → HOB
436 nautical miles (502 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 170°, about 162° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 02 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 12-knot headwind), arriving about 3:34 am MDT (09:34 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 23 knots, gusting to 29; HOB is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20. 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: 733 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 12:55 am MDT (06:55 UTC). Over the route from 89 to 317 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 9C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 30 knots, until 12:55 am MDT (06:55 UTC). Near the route, 377 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120455 MKCC WST 120455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 9C VALID UNTIL 0655Z TX NM FROM 50NNW CME-40ENE CME-50SE ELP-20WSW ELP-30E TCS-50NNW CME AREA TS MOV FROM 22030KT. TOPS TO FL300.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the first 109 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 258 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 109 to 119 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 119 to 179 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). Near the route, 238 nm along 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 DEN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B738 at 23,000 ft, 28 nm west, 8:34 pm MDT (02:34 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. At the departure end, 28 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0234/FL230/TP B738/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of DVV
- Time
- 02:34 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- A320 descending, 3 nm south, 9:19 pm MDT (03:19 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0319/FLDURD/TP A320/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 03:19 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- E170 at 22,500 ft, 46 nm west, 11:06 pm MDT (05:06 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 23,000 ft, remarks: during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13. 40 nm along the route, 46 nm west 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
- CL60 at 33,000 ft, 8 nm northeast, 8:35 pm MDT (02:35 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-100FT zdvwc. 60 nm along the route, 8 nm northeast 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
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 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 4 forecast points nearest it (DEN, PUB, TCC, ROW). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 200° at 38 kt | +32 kt | 88 kt | 4 h 57 min | 4:29 am MDT (10:29 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | +19 kt | 13 °C | 101 kt | 4 h 19 min | 3:51 am MDT (09:51 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | +15 kt | 13 °C | 105 kt | 4 h 09 min | 3:41 am MDT (09:41 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | +16 kt | 7 °C | 104 kt | 4 h 12 min | 3:44 am MDT (09:44 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | +18 kt | 3 °C | 102 kt | 4 h 16 min | 3:48 am MDT (09:48 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 36 kt | +21 kt | -1 °C | 99 kt | 4 h 24 min | 3:56 am MDT (09:56 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 39 kt | +24 kt | -6 °C | 96 kt | 4 h 32 min | 4:04 am MDT (10:04 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 40 kt | +25 kt | -7 °C | 95 kt | 4 h 35 min | 4:07 am MDT (10:07 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 50 kt | +27 kt | -19 °C | 93 kt | 4 h 41 min | 4:13 am MDT (10:13 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 67 kt | +27 kt | -28 °C | 93 kt | 4 h 41 min | 4:13 am MDT (10:13 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 62 kt | +17 kt | -35 °C | 103 kt | 4 h 14 min | 3:46 am MDT (09:46 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 54 kt | +12 kt | -47 °C | 108 kt | 4 h 02 min | 3:34 am MDT (09:34 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 240/21 14° | 250/44 6° | 220/49 -8° | 220/49 -21° | 230/54 -30° | 240/57 -35° | 240/49 -45° | ||
| PUB | used from 50 nm out; 21 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° | ||
| TCC | used from 198 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 210/42 | 230/33 14° | 230/32 6° | 220/35 -6° | 230/49 -19° | 240/72 -27° | 250/62 -36° | 250/52 -48° | |
| ROW | used from 347 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 190/33 | 210/27 14° | 220/28 6° | 230/36 -6° | 230/56 -15° | 230/63 -27° | 250/59 -37° | 260/57 -49° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN Denver, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 23 knots, gusting to 29 | 10+ mi | none | 5,433 ft | 10:53 pm MDT (04:53 UTC) |
| APA Denver, CO | 20 nm out, 12 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 5,884 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 60 nm out, 12 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 18,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 18,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| PUB Pueblo, CO | 99 nm out, 9 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,729 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| TAD Trinidad, CO | 159 nm out, 11 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 17 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,761 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| RTN Raton, NM | 188 nm out, 24 nm west of the line | VFR | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,352 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| TCC Tucumcari, NM | 288 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 20 knots, gusting to 34 | 10+ mi | none | 4,064 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| PRZ Portales, NM | 347 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | no report just now | 4,077 ft | ||||
| HOB Hobbs, NM | destination | VFR | from the south (170°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 3,660 ft | 11:15 pm MDT (05:15 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,352 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At HOB when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:34 am MDT (09:34 UTC)
Wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for HOB
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 15 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
The forecast for DEN, the departure
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet
- At times between Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 25 knots, gusting to 37
- From Mon 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 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, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at DEN 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC), at HOB 6:23 pm MDT (00:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:48 pm MDT (00:48 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at HOB is before sunrise there (6:54 am MDT (12:54 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: Denver International, Lea County Regional.