Denver International to Williston Basin International DEN → XWA
506 nautical miles (582 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 004°, about 356° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 17 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 34-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:39 pm CDT (04:39 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 13 knots; XWA is IFR, wind from the northeast (050°) at 14 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: 2,710 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 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 first 79 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). Over the route from 307 to 486 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 4C: moderate icing up to 20,000 ft. Over the last 0 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
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 38 nm south, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. At the departure end, 38 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS350025/TM 2244/FL450/TP GLF5/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of COS
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- UAL2199 at 35,000 ft, 47 nm east, 5:31 pm MDT (23:31 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 247° at 79 knots. At the departure end, 47 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2199 4007N 10337W 2331 F350 247/079KT TB MOD CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 37 nm east, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. 30 nm along the route, 37 nm east 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
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 26 nm west, 5:28 pm MDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 30 nm along the route, 26 nm west 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
- BE9L at 21,000 ft, 46 nm west, 5:22 pm MDT (23:22 UTC): light chop turbulence above 21,000 ft, moderate icing above 21,000 ft, -21 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 149 nm along the route, 46 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DGW UA /OV IIP200020/TM 2322/FL210/TP BE9L/SK BASE 200/TA M21/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 210/IC MOD MIX 210/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DGW
- Where
- 20 nm south (200°) of IIP
- Time
- 23:22 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Sky
- base 20,000 ft
- Temperature
- −21 °C
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop at 21,000 ft
- Icing
- moderate mix at 21,000 ft
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- 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
- 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
- B737 descending, 3 nm south, 4:29 pm MDT (22:29 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 2229/FLDURD/TP B737/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 22:29 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- E75L at 10,000 ft, 3 nm northwest, 5:45 pm MDT (23:45 UTC): light turbulence up to 17,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 3 nm northwest 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
- B738 at 35,000 ft, 37 nm east, 5:30 pm MDT (23:30 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-07. 30 nm along the route, 37 nm east 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
- B763 at 36,000 ft, 35 nm east, 4:48 pm MDT (22:48 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-33. 109 nm along the route, 35 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BFF UA /OV BFF200020/TM 2248/FL360/TP B763/SK TOP 320-340/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC-33
- Report
- a routine report filed through BFF
- Where
- 20 nm south (200°) of BFF
- Time
- 22:48 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- top from 32,000 ft to 34,000 ft
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-33
4 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 4 forecast points nearest it (DEN, BFF, RAP, DIK). 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 | 120° at 18 kt | −7 kt | 9 °C | 127 kt | 3 h 59 min | 12:21 am CDT (05:21 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 130° at 17 kt | −10 kt | 9 °C | 130 kt | 3 h 54 min | 12:16 am CDT (05:16 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 180° at 21 kt | −21 kt | 9 °C | 141 kt | 3 h 35 min | 11:57 pm CDT (04:57 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 200° at 25 kt | −23 kt | 7 °C | 143 kt | 3 h 32 min | 11:54 pm CDT (04:54 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | −23 kt | 4 °C | 143 kt | 3 h 32 min | 11:54 pm CDT (04:54 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | −23 kt | -1 °C | 143 kt | 3 h 32 min | 11:54 pm CDT (04:54 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | −23 kt | -6 °C | 143 kt | 3 h 32 min | 11:54 pm CDT (04:54 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 36 kt | −23 kt | -9 °C | 143 kt | 3 h 32 min | 11:54 pm CDT (04:54 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 45 kt | −26 kt | -21 °C | 146 kt | 3 h 28 min | 11:50 pm CDT (04:50 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 52 kt | −34 kt | -36 °C | 154 kt | 3 h 17 min | 11:39 pm CDT (04:39 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 56 kt | −28 kt | -42 °C | 148 kt | 3 h 25 min | 11:47 pm CDT (04:47 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 57 kt | −23 kt | -48 °C | 143 kt | 3 h 32 min | 11:54 pm CDT (04:54 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° | ||
| BFF | used from 50 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 120/24 | 180/31 13° | 210/26 7° | 230/25 -7° | 240/41 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 250/56 -41° | 260/57 -45° | |
| RAP | used from 198 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 120/15 12° | 180/22 11° | 220/26 5° | 230/35 -9° | 240/40 -22° | 240/50 -37° | 240/51 -41° | 240/47 -47° | |
| DIK | used from 347 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 110/15 6° | 200/17 5° | 230/31 1° | 240/47 -10° | 240/52 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 240/57 -45° | 250/67 -51° |
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 | 30 nm out, 19 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,020 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| CYS Cheyenne, WY | 79 nm out, 12 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the east (100°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,159 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| GUR Guernsey, WY | 139 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 24,000 feet | from the east (090°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,401 ft | 00:55 UTC |
| LSK Lusk, WY | 179 nm out, 5 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,966 ft | ||||
| ECS Newcastle, WY | 238 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 10,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 4,177 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| EFC Belle Fourche, SD | 298 nm out, 13 nm east of the line | no report just now | 3,190 ft | ||||
| BHK Baker, MT | 387 nm out, 12 nm west of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the east (100°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 2,980 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| SDY Sidney, MT | 476 nm out, 16 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northeast (030°) at 12 knots | 9 mi | 1,200 ft | 1,985 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| XWA Williston, ND | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet Weather: light rain | from the northeast (050°) at 14 knots | 8 mi | 900 ft | 2,356 ft | 7:51 pm CDT (00:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,159 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At XWA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:39 pm CDT (04:39 UTC)
Wind from the northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 4 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 600 feet IFR
The whole forecast for XWA
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 900 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 4 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 600 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 2 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 300 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 600 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC) and 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 400 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 XWA 7:12 pm CDT (00:12 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:43 pm CDT (00:43 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at XWA is after sunset there (7:14 pm CDT (00:14 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, Williston Basin International.