Denver International to Central Wyoming Regional DEN → RIW
257 nautical miles (296 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 320°, about 312° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 1 h 48 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 23-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:40 pm MDT (03:40 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 13 knots; RIW is marginal VFR, wind from the northeast (050°) at 8 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: 1,463 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 3W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 8:55 pm MDT (02:55 UTC). Over the last 79 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 3W VALID UNTIL 0255Z MT WY FROM 10WSW MLS-70E DDY-20N LAR-50E BPI-30NE BIL-10WSW MLS AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the whole 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 last 198 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 59 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 158 nm along the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 69 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 69 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 227 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
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 46 nm northeast, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. At the departure end, 46 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2342/FL320/TP A21N/TB INTMT MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-61
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- intermittent moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-61
- BCS1 at 24,000 ft, 17 nm southwest, 7:30 pm MDT (01:30 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 20 nm along the route, 17 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0130/FL240/TP BCS1/TB MOD 220-240/RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of DVV
- Time
- 01:30 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS1
- Turbulence
- moderate from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 6 nm northeast, 5:28 pm MDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 40 nm along the route, 6 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN320045/TM 2328/FL240/TP BCS3/TB MOD 240-220/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Turbulence
- moderate from 24,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B39M at 32,000 ft, 41 nm southwest, 5:58 pm MDT (23:58 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14. 69 nm along the route, 41 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR069073/TM 2358/FL320/TP B39M/TB OCNL MOD CHOP/IC NEG/RM MOD MTW +/-30KT ZDVWC-14
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 73 nm east (069°) of EKR
- Time
- 23:58 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 9 nm southwest, 6:47 pm MDT (00:47 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 79 nm along the route, 9 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
EGE UA /OV RLG010052/TM 0047/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB COSN MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through EGE
- Where
- 52 nm north (010°) of RLG
- Time
- 00:47 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- cosn moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-13
- E55P at 38,000 ft, 48 nm south, 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-05. At the departure end, 48 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV FQF200040/TM 0123/FL380/TP E55P/TB LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40 nm south (200°) of FQF
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- at 38,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E55P
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-05
- B737 descending, 3 nm south, 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 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 0123/FLDURD/TP B737/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- GLF6 at 40,000 ft, 44 nm south, 6:48 pm MDT (00:48 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. At the departure end, 44 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS340020/TM 0048/FL400/TP GLF6/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 20 nm north (340°) of COS
- Time
- 00:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- A321 descending, 3 nm south, 6:26 pm MDT (00:26 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 0026/FLDURD/TP A321/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 00:26 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 28 nm south, 6:20 pm MDT (00:20 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft. At the departure end, 28 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN170025/TM 0020/FL140/TP B737/TB LGT-MOD/RM LGT-MOD 140-160 OCCN LGT ABOVE 160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm south (170°) of DEN
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft
- A320 at 8,000 ft, 31 nm east, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): light chop turbulence from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 31 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN080030/TM 2342/FL080/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP 080-160/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm east (080°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light chop from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B738 at 35,000 ft, 46 nm northeast, 5:30 pm MDT (23:30 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-07. At the departure end, 46 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2330/FL350/TP B738/TB CONS LGT /RM ZDVWC-07
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-07
- B737 at 6,500 ft, 3 nm south, 5:27 pm MDT (23:27 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2327/FL065/TP B737/TB NEG TB ON FINAL RWY17R
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 23:27 UTC
- Height
- at 6,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no turbulence on final runway 17R
- E75L at 10,000 ft, 14 nm northeast, 5:45 pm MDT (23:45 UTC): light turbulence up to 17,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 20 nm along the route, 14 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN350025/TM 2345/FL100/TP E75L/TB LGT SFC-170/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:45 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- light from the surface to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
2 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 3 forecast points nearest it (DEN, RKS, LND). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,500 ft | 190° at 34 kt | −23 kt | 13 °C | 143 kt | 1 h 48 min | 9:40 pm MDT (03:40 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 190° at 39 kt | −22 kt | 9 °C | 142 kt | 1 h 49 min | 9:41 pm MDT (03:41 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 200° at 45 kt | −20 kt | 4 °C | 140 kt | 1 h 50 min | 9:42 pm MDT (03:42 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 210° at 47 kt | −16 kt | -1 °C | 136 kt | 1 h 53 min | 9:45 pm MDT (03:45 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 210° at 49 kt | −12 kt | -5 °C | 132 kt | 1 h 57 min | 9:49 pm MDT (03:49 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 50 kt | −8 kt | -9 °C | 128 kt | 2 h | 9:52 pm MDT (03:52 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 49 kt | −13 kt | -21 °C | 133 kt | 1 h 56 min | 9:48 pm MDT (03:48 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 44 kt | −10 kt | -33 °C | 130 kt | 1 h 59 min | 9:51 pm MDT (03:51 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 59 kt | +10 kt | -38 °C | 110 kt | 2 h 20 min | 10:12 pm MDT (04:12 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 66 kt | +17 kt | -47 °C | 103 kt | 2 h 30 min | 10:22 pm MDT (04:22 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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 | 190/31 16° | 210/32 7° | 240/41 -8° | 230/47 -21° | 240/56 -32° | 250/65 -37° | 250/61 -47° | ||
| RKS | used from 99 nm out; 118 nm from the line | 190/43 | 210/65 3° | 210/57 -9° | 210/56 -21° | 210/47 -33° | 230/63 -37° | 240/77 -46° | ||
| LND | used from 148 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 180/33 10° | 190/50 3° | 210/59 -9° | 200/50 -21° | 190/41 -34° | 230/55 -39° | 240/65 -47° |
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 11,000 feet, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC) |
| FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO | 40 nm out, 11 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,020 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| LAR Laramie, WY | 99 nm out, 22 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,283 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| RWL Rawlins, WY | 168 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,816 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| RIW Riverton, WY | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,400 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 5,516 ft | 7:37 pm MDT (01:37 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,283 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RIW when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:40 pm MDT (03:40 UTC)
Wind from the east at 12 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for RIW
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 6 miles, light rain, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the east at 12 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 15 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
The forecast for DEN, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 14,000 feet and more above
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet
- 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 RIW 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:04 pm MDT (01:04 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RIW is after sunset there (6:37 pm MDT (00:37 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, Central Wyoming Regional.
