Denver International to Santa FE Regional DEN → SAF
264 nautical miles (303 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 195°, about 187° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 50 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 27-knot headwind), arriving about 12:17 am MDT (06:17 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots; SAF is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) 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: 3,280 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 W11W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 10:55 pm MDT (04:55 UTC). Over the route from 98 to 234 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120255 MKCW WST 120255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 11W VALID UNTIL 0455Z CO NM FROM 20WNW PUB-10ENE CIM-50WNW ABQ-30NNE DVC-20WNW PUB AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 137 nm of the 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 route from 78 to 127 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 127 to 146 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the last 117 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 DEN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent B407 at 10,000 ft, 7 nm southeast, 8:13 pm MDT (02:13 UTC): moderate to severe turbulence. 59 nm along the route, 7 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UUA /OV 10 W COS/TM 0213/FL100/TP B407/TB MDT-SEV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through COS
- Where
- 10 west cos
- Time
- 02:13 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B407
- Turbulence
- mdt-sev
- 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
- BCS1 at 24,000 ft, 28 nm west, 7:30 pm MDT (01:30 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, 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 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
- GLF4 at 25,000 ft, 32 nm west, 8:05 pm MDT (02:05 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 29 nm along the route, 32 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV FQF250040/TM 0205/FL250/TP GLF4/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of FQF
- Time
- 02:05 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- B738 at 18,000 ft, 14 nm northwest, 8:02 pm MDT (02:02 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-41. 59 nm along the route, 14 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK270030/TM 0202/FL180/TP B738/TB MOD CHOP 180-250/RM DURC ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of BRK
- Time
- 02:02 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate chop from 18,000 ft to 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-41
- BE9L at 24,500 ft, 1 nm northeast, 8:21 pm MDT (02:21 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 107 nm along the route, 1 nm northeast 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
- 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
- B737 descending, 3 nm south, 8:29 pm MDT (02:29 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 0229/FLDURD/TP B737/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 02:29 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- 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, 8 nm southeast, 6:48 pm MDT (00:48 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 39 nm along the route, 8 nm southeast 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
- CL60 at 33,000 ft, 31 nm east, 8:35 pm MDT (02:35 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-100FT zdvwc. 49 nm along the route, 31 nm east 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
- E55P at 38,000 ft, 6 nm northwest, 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-05. 49 nm along the route, 6 nm northwest 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 at 25,000 ft, 5 nm southeast, 6:29 pm MDT (00:29 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-29. 59 nm along the route, 5 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK242015/TM 0029/FL250/TP B737/SK TOP280/TA 00/IC LGT RIME/RM DURC ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (242°) of BRK
- Time
- 00:29 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- TOP280
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-29
- B38M at 36,000 ft, 14 nm northwest, 8:22 pm MDT (02:22 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: mtw +/-200FT ZDVWC-30. 127 nm along the route, 14 nm northwest 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
1 more routine reports are on the map.
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 4 forecast points nearest it (DEN, PUB, ALS, ABQ). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | +27 kt | 7 °C | 93 kt | 2 h 50 min | 12:17 am MDT (06:17 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 38 kt | +30 kt | 4 °C | 90 kt | 2 h 56 min | 12:23 am MDT (06:23 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 42 kt | +36 kt | -1 °C | 84 kt | 3 h 09 min | 12:36 am MDT (06:36 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 47 kt | +42 kt | -5 °C | 78 kt | 3 h 23 min | 12:50 am MDT (06:50 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 51 kt | +46 kt | -9 °C | 74 kt | 3 h 34 min | 1:01 am MDT (07:01 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 57 kt | +48 kt | -21 °C | 72 kt | 3 h 40 min | 1:07 am MDT (07:07 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 71 kt | +52 kt | -27 °C | 68 kt | 3 h 53 min | 1:20 am MDT (07:20 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 70 kt | +49 kt | -34 °C | 71 kt | 3 h 43 min | 1:10 am MDT (07:10 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 57 kt | +44 kt | -45 °C | 76 kt | 3 h 28 min | 12:55 am MDT (06:55 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; 24 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 49 nm out; 36 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 98 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 230/37 4° | 220/54 -9° | 230/62 -22° | 240/77 -26° | 240/74 -33° | 230/59 -45° | |||
| ABQ | used from 244 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 220/27 11° | 210/35 5° | 220/46 -9° | 230/62 -20° | 240/78 -25° | 240/80 -35° | 240/56 -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 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 8:53 pm MDT (02:53 UTC) |
| APA Denver, CO | 20 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 21 knots, gusting to 34 | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,884 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 59 nm out, 16 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet, a broken layer at 16,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 16,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| ALS Alamosa, CO | 156 nm out, 17 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the south (170°) at 10 knots | 9 mi | 6,000 ft | 7,539 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| SKX Taos, NM | 215 nm out, 9 nm east of the line | no report just now | 7,094 ft | ||||
| SAF Santa Fe, NM | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 6,348 ft | 8:53 pm MDT (02:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,539 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SAF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:17 am MDT (06:17 UTC)
Wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SAF
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind variable at 20 knots, gusting to 35, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 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
- 6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 2 nm from the route, 59 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 17 nm from the route, 59 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at DEN 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC), at SAF 6:33 pm MDT (00:33 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:58 pm MDT (00:58 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SAF is before sunrise there (7:08 am MDT (13:08 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, Santa FE Regional.