Denver International to Lubbock Preston Smith International DEN → LBB
397 nautical miles (456 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 159°, about 151° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 18 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, no wind along the track), arriving about 5:48 am CDT (10:48 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 24 knots, gusting to 32; LBB is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 12 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: 1,965 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 C12C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 25,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 2:55 am MDT (08:55 UTC). Near the route, 119 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120655 MKCC WST 120655 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 12C VALID UNTIL 0855Z CO NM FROM 40W PUB-30SSE PUB-30W CIM-50WSW ALS-40W PUB DMSHG AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL250.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft, from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 119 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 188 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), from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Near the route, 119 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft, from 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 129 to 139 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 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 169 to 238 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 DEN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 at 18,000 ft, 47 nm northwest, 1:24 am MDT (07:24 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: FL180-130. At the departure end, 47 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN330050/TM 0724/FL180/TP B737/TB MOD/RM FL180-130
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 50 nm northwest (330°) of DEN
- Time
- 07:24 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- FL180-130
- A321 at 31,000 ft, 18 nm southwest, 12:41 am MDT (06:41 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-15KT zdvwc. 50 nm along the route, 18 nm southwest 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
- B737 descending, 3 nm south, 1:10 am MDT (07:10 UTC): remarks: smooth. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0710/FLDURD/TP B737/RM SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 07:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- smooth
- A20N at 25,000 ft, 45 nm west, 12:19 am MDT (06:19 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 26,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-06. At the departure end, 45 nm west 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
- B738 descending, 3 nm south, 12:15 am MDT (06:15 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0615/FLDURD/TP B738/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 06:15 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- light chop
- A21N at 33,000 ft, 18 nm southwest, 12:59 am MDT (06:59 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: mtw a 10-knot loss of airspeed 100FT zdvwc. 50 nm along the route, 18 nm southwest 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
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 5 forecast points nearest it (DEN, PUB, TCC, AMA, LBB). 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 | 210° at 38 kt | +26 kt | 18 °C | 94 kt | 4 h 13 min | 6:43 am CDT (11:43 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +13 kt | 14 °C | 107 kt | 3 h 43 min | 6:13 am CDT (11:13 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +8 kt | 13 °C | 112 kt | 3 h 33 min | 6:03 am CDT (11:03 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 30 kt | +7 kt | 8 °C | 113 kt | 3 h 31 min | 6:01 am CDT (11:01 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | +10 kt | 3 °C | 110 kt | 3 h 37 min | 6:07 am CDT (11:07 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | +13 kt | -1 °C | 107 kt | 3 h 43 min | 6:13 am CDT (11:13 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | +17 kt | -6 °C | 103 kt | 3 h 51 min | 6:21 am CDT (11:21 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 37 kt | +18 kt | -6 °C | 102 kt | 3 h 54 min | 6:24 am CDT (11:24 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 44 kt | +14 kt | -19 °C | 106 kt | 3 h 45 min | 6:15 am CDT (11:15 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 65 kt | +11 kt | -28 °C | 109 kt | 3 h 39 min | 6:09 am CDT (11:09 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 61 kt | +5 kt | -36 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 27 min | 5:57 am CDT (10:57 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 51 kt | 0 | -47 °C | 120 kt | 3 h 18 min | 5:48 am CDT (10:48 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; 31 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; 78 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° | |
| AMA | used from 248 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 210/38 | 230/29 14° | 240/29 7° | 220/27 -5° | 240/37 -18° | 240/66 -28° | 250/59 -37° | 260/47 -49° | |
| LBB | used from 347 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/36 18° | 220/19 15° | 240/20 8° | 230/24 -4° | 240/37 -16° | 250/57 -28° | 250/51 -38° | 270/47 -50° |
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 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 18,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 24 knots, gusting to 32 | 10+ mi | 18,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 12:53 am MDT (06:53 UTC) |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 59 nm out, 24 nm west 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 |
| LHX La Junta, CO | 119 nm out, 12 nm east of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,228 ft | 15:53 UTC |
| CAO Clayton, NM | 218 nm out, 5 nm west of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 18 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | none | 4,969 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| DHT Dalhart, TX | 248 nm out, 14 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,991 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| HRX Hereford, TX | 317 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 8,500 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the west (260°) at 11 knots, gusting to 16 | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 3,787 ft | 07:10 UTC |
| PVW Plainview, TX | 367 nm out, 15 nm east of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,374 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| LBB Lubbock, TX | destination | VFR | from the south (180°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,282 ft | 1:53 am CDT (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 LBB when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:48 am CDT (10:48 UTC)
Wind from the south at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for LBB
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for DEN, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 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, a few clouds at 15,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8911 DENVER, CO, Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 8 nm from the route, at the departure end · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · today · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at DEN 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC), at LBB 7:16 pm CDT (00:16 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:41 pm CDT (00:41 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at LBB is before sunrise there (7:49 am CDT (12:49 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, Lubbock Preston Smith International.