EL Paso International to Denver International ELP → DEN
491 nautical miles (565 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 009°, about 001° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 52 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 51-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:24 pm MDT (03:24 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ELP is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots, gusting to 19; DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23. 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: 3,736 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 W69W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 10 to 128 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 69W VALID UNTIL 0155Z TX NM AZ FROM 50ENE PGS-60SE ABQ-20ENE ELP-70SSW SSO-50SE BZA-50ENE PGS AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- SIGMET W68W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 36,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 167 to 402 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 68W VALID UNTIL 0155Z CO NM AZ UT FROM 30W CHE-20NNW TBE-60SE ABQ-40N SJN-30SW MTU-30W CHE AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL360.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 29 to 216 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 412 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 108 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 ELP.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E545 at 6,000 ft, 6 nm northwest, 3:49 pm MDT (21:49 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L. 471 nm along the route, 6 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV APA350002/TM 2149/FL060/TP E545/RM LLWS +/- 5 KT FAP RWY 17L
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- 2 nm north (350°) of APA
- Time
- 21:49 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E545
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 4 nm northwest, 4:02 pm MDT (22:02 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb from KDEN from 12,000 ft to 19,000 ft ZDVWC-41. 432 nm along the route, 4 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK262015/TM 2202/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB MOD CHOP/RM DURC FROM KDEN 120-190 ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm west (262°) of BRK
- Time
- 22:02 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- during the climb from KDEN from 12,000 ft to 19,000 ft ZDVWC-41
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 5 nm east, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 451 nm along the route, 5 nm east 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
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 46 nm northeast, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. At the destination 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
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 42 nm northwest, 5:28 pm MDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 42 nm northwest 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
- CRJ7 at 10,000 ft, 23 nm west, 5:49 pm MDT (23:49 UTC): remarks: light turbulence, bases above 10,000 ft, vsby 3 miles continuously, during the descent rnav RY20 KSAF. 226 nm along the route, 23 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAF UA /OV KSAF/TM 2349/FL100 /TP CRJ7/RM LIGHT TURBULENCE, BASES ABOVE 100, VSBY 3 MILES CONTINUOUSLY, DURD RNAV RY20 KSAF
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAF
- Where
- over KSAF
- Time
- 23:49 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Remarks
- light turbulence, bases above 10,000 ft, vsby 3 miles continuously, during the descent rnav RY20 KSAF
- B38M at 37,000 ft, 5 nm east, 4:55 pm MDT (22:55 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 255 nm along the route, 5 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
AXX UA /OV CIM210040/TM 2255/FL370/TP B38M/TB LGT-CONS MOD CHOP/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through AXX
- Where
- 40 nm southwest (210°) of CIM
- Time
- 22:55 UTC
- Height
- at 37,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- lgt-cons moderate chop
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
- GA6C at 47,000 ft, 8 nm northwest, 3:47 pm MDT (21:47 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 275 nm along the route, 8 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LVS UA /OV FTI320050/TM 2147/FL470/TP GA6C/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through LVS
- Where
- 50 nm northwest (320°) of FTI
- Time
- 21:47 UTC
- Height
- at 47,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GA6C
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate chop
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
- E145 at 7,400 ft, 30 nm west, 6:15 pm MDT (00:15 UTC): remarks: base reported below minimums 1/2 miles visibility ZDVWC-41. 334 nm along the route, 30 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV KALS/TM 0015/FL074/TP E145/RM BASE REPORTED BELOW MINIMUMS 1/2 SM VIS ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- over KALS
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 7,400 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Remarks
- base reported below minimums 1/2 miles visibility ZDVWC-41
- E145 at 7,400 ft, 27 nm west, 6:15 pm MDT (00:15 UTC): remarks: reported below minimums visibility 1/2SM ZDVWC-41. 334 nm along the route, 27 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS/TM 0015/FL074/TP E145/SK VASE UNKN/RM REPORTED BLO MINIMUMS VIS 1/2SM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- over ALS
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 7,400 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- vase unknown
- Remarks
- reported below minimums visibility 1/2SM ZDVWC-41
- A321 at 34,000 ft, 25 nm west, 3:36 pm MDT (21:36 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-29. 363 nm along the route, 25 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS360035/TM 2136/FL340/TP A321/TB CONS LGT-OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm north (360°) of ALS
- Time
- 21:36 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- continuous lgt-ocnl moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-29
- CL35 at 43,000 ft, 9 nm northwest, 6:21 pm MDT (00:21 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-300FT zdvwc. 383 nm along the route, 9 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0021/FL430/TP CL35/RM MTW +/-300FT ZDVWC-
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 00:21 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL35
- Remarks
- mtw +/-300FT zdvwc
- A21N at 31,000 ft, 28 nm east, 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC): remarks: mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29. 402 nm along the route, 28 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB/TM 0024/FL310/TP A21N/RM MTN WAVE +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- over PUB
- Time
- 00:24 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Remarks
- mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 7 nm east, 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. 461 nm along the route, 7 nm east 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
7 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 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 6 forecast points nearest it (ELP, ROW, ABQ, ALS, PUB, DEN). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,500 ft | 200° at 23 kt | −23 kt | 15 °C | 143 kt | 3 h 26 min | 9:58 pm MDT (03:58 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 24 kt | −23 kt | 14 °C | 143 kt | 3 h 26 min | 9:58 pm MDT (03:58 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 27 kt | −25 kt | 7 °C | 145 kt | 3 h 23 min | 9:55 pm MDT (03:55 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 210° at 30 kt | −28 kt | 3 °C | 148 kt | 3 h 19 min | 9:51 pm MDT (03:51 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 35 kt | −31 kt | -2 °C | 151 kt | 3 h 15 min | 9:47 pm MDT (03:47 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 41 kt | −34 kt | -6 °C | 154 kt | 3 h 11 min | 9:43 pm MDT (03:43 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 42 kt | −34 kt | -7 °C | 154 kt | 3 h 11 min | 9:43 pm MDT (03:43 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 48 kt | −34 kt | -19 °C | 154 kt | 3 h 11 min | 9:43 pm MDT (03:43 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 71 kt | −51 kt | -29 °C | 171 kt | 2 h 52 min | 9:24 pm MDT (03:24 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 69 kt | −43 kt | -36 °C | 163 kt | 3 h 01 min | 9:33 pm MDT (03:33 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 58 kt | −31 kt | -48 °C | 151 kt | 3 h 15 min | 9:47 pm MDT (03:47 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELP | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/15 | 200/16 15° | 200/17 6° | 220/40 -6° | 240/53 -16° | 230/62 -27° | 240/63 -38° | 250/59 -49° | |
| ROW | used from 98 nm out; 79 nm from the line | 180/23 | 190/24 15° | 210/27 7° | 230/35 -6° | 240/53 -17° | 240/62 -27° | 250/64 -38° | 260/60 -50° | |
| ABQ | used from 147 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 200/28 13° | 210/28 5° | 210/44 -7° | 230/46 -20° | 230/80 -28° | 240/74 -35° | 240/58 -47° | ||
| ALS | used from 245 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 210/32 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/49 -20° | 230/78 -30° | 240/74 -36° | 240/61 -47° | |||
| PUB | used from 343 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° | ||
| DEN | used from 442 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELP El Paso, TX | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 3,961 ft | 5:51 pm MDT (23:51 UTC) |
| ALM Alamogordo, NM | 69 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 4,199 ft | 00:15 UTC |
| SAF Santa Fe, NM | 226 nm out, 23 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 8,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the west-southwest (240°) at 16 knots, gusting to 24 | 7 mi | 7,000 ft | 6,348 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| AXX Angel Fire, NM | 285 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet | from the west (260°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 8,379 ft | 00:15 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 432 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 24,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 23:54 UTC |
| APA Denver, CO | 471 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 22 knots, gusting to 33 | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 5,884 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| DEN Denver, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet, a few clouds at 16,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 5:53 pm MDT (23:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 8,379 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DEN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:24 pm MDT (03:24 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 VFR
The whole forecast for DEN
- 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
The forecast for ELP, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet
- At times between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8722 ALAMOGORDO, NM, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 98 nm along the route · security · starts tomorrow · ZAB
- 6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 4 nm from the route, 432 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 22 nm from the route, 432 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at ELP 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC), at DEN 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:51 pm MDT (00:51 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DEN is after sunset there (6:25 pm MDT (00:25 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: EL Paso International, Denver International.