EL Paso International to Salt Lake City International ELP → SLC
603 nautical miles (694 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 335°, about 327° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 11 min at the quickest height in today's winds (24,000 ft, a 24-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:52 am MDT (06:52 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ELP is VFR, wind from the west (280°) at 6 knots; SLC is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 6 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: 33 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 6W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 9:55 pm MDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 158 to 208 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120155 MKCW WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 6W VALID UNTIL 0355Z CO NM FROM 50SSW DEN-30NNE TBE-50SSW CME-50E SJN-20NE DVC-50SSW DEN AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 69 to 208 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 534 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 109 to 277 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 237 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 218 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 218 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the last 129 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 GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 19 nm east, 5:57 pm MDT (23:57 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv. 346 nm along the route, 19 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UUA /OV RSK280050/TM 2357/FL450/TP GLF6/TB SEV/RM A/C HAD TO EXIT AUTO PILOT, 45 DEGREE PITCH-ZDV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm west (280°) of RSK
- Time
- 23:57 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- severe
- Remarks
- a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 28 nm east, 6:15 pm MDT (00:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 346 nm along the route, 28 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK290045/TM 0015/FL430/TP GLF4/TB CONS MOD/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 45 nm west (290°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- S22T at 14,000 ft, 26 nm northeast, 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 UTC): moderate rime icing, -16 °C. 524 nm along the route, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC360015/TM 0123/FL140/TP S22T/TA M16/IC MOD RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 15 nm north (360°) of PUC
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- S22T
- Temperature
- −16 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime zlc
- E75L at 22,000 ft, 17 nm northeast, 7:04 pm MDT (01:04 UTC): moderate turbulence. 534 nm along the route, 17 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC320020/TM 0104/FL220/TP E75L/TB MOD /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 20 nm northwest (320°) of PUC
- Time
- 01:04 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate zlc
- B738 at 35,000 ft, 43 nm northeast, 6:14 pm MDT (00:14 UTC): remarks: zdvwc. 376 nm along the route, 43 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CEZ UA /OV DVC/TM 0014/FL350/TP B738/SK TOP 310/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CEZ
- Where
- over DVC
- Time
- 00:14 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- top 31,000 ft
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 16 nm northeast, 8:24 pm MDT (02:24 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 514 nm along the route, 16 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC1130028/TM 0224/FL450/TP GLF6/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 28 nm southeast (130°) of PUC1
- Time
- 02:24 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- PRM1 at 21,000 ft, 31 nm west, 7:03 pm MDT (01:03 UTC): light rime icing, -15 °C. 554 nm along the route, 31 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
PVU UA /OV FFU180025/TM 0103/FL210/TP PRM1/TA M15/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PVU
- Where
- 25 nm south (180°) of FFU
- Time
- 01:03 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PRM1
- Temperature
- −15 °C
- Icing
- light rime zlc
- A321 at 10,000 ft, 9 nm southwest, 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): light chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 9 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV TCH165020/TM 0000/FL100/TP A321/TB LGT CHOP/IC NEG/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 20 nm south (165°) of TCH
- Time
- 00:00 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B737 at 16,000 ft, 19 nm west, 6:45 pm MDT (00:45 UTC): no turbulence, light rime icing from 13,000 ft to 17,000 ft, 8 °C, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 19 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV TCH230020/TM 0045/FL160/TP B737/TA 8/TB NEG/IC LT RIME 130-170/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 20 nm southwest (230°) of TCH
- Time
- 00:45 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- lt rime from 13,000 ft to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B38M at 16,000 ft, 14 nm west, 6:06 pm MDT (00:06 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, 13 °C, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 14 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV TCH230015/TM 0006/FL160/TP B38M/TA 13/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (230°) of TCH
- Time
- 00:06 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- 13 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the climb
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 6 forecast points nearest it (ELP, ABQ, FMN, GJT, BCE, SLC). 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 | 220° at 22 kt | −9 kt | 10 °C | 129 kt | 4 h 40 min | 1:21 am MDT (07:21 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 27 kt | −12 kt | 5 °C | 132 kt | 4 h 34 min | 1:15 am MDT (07:15 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | −14 kt | 1 °C | 134 kt | 4 h 30 min | 1:11 am MDT (07:11 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 37 kt | −16 kt | -3 °C | 136 kt | 4 h 26 min | 1:07 am MDT (07:07 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 42 kt | −19 kt | -7 °C | 139 kt | 4 h 20 min | 1:01 am MDT (07:01 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 46 kt | −20 kt | -10 °C | 140 kt | 4 h 18 min | 12:59 am MDT (06:59 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 58 kt | −24 kt | -21 °C | 144 kt | 4 h 11 min | 12:52 am MDT (06:52 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 69 kt | −18 kt | -28 °C | 138 kt | 4 h 22 min | 1:03 am MDT (07:03 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 73 kt | −11 kt | -35 °C | 131 kt | 4 h 36 min | 1:17 am MDT (07:17 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 58 kt | −13 kt | -46 °C | 133 kt | 4 h 32 min | 1:13 am MDT (07:13 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELP | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 290/17 | 210/11 13° | 200/18 5° | 220/46 -6° | 230/64 -14° | 230/63 -27° | 240/55 -37° | 240/44 -48° | |
| ABQ | used from 99 nm out; 92 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° | ||
| FMN | used from 247 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 220/28 9° | 220/40 2° | 220/53 -10° | 220/62 -22° | 230/79 -28° | 240/91 -34° | 230/71 -45° | ||
| GJT | used from 396 nm out; 98 nm from the line | 210/43 7° | 230/45 1° | 220/49 -12° | 220/62 -22° | 220/59 -28° | 230/60 -33° | 220/55 -45° | ||
| BCE | used from 445 nm out; 98 nm from the line | 220/27 -1° | 210/40 -13° | 220/54 -21° | 220/64 -30° | 220/64 -34° | 220/52 -44° | |||
| SLC | used from 494 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 200/5 | 230/8 2° | 220/20 -2° | 210/40 -12° | 190/53 -25° | 210/62 -30° | 220/69 -34° | 220/64 -43° |
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, a broken layer at 12,000 feet, a broken layer at 21,000 feet | from the west (280°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 12,000 ft | 3,961 ft | 7:51 pm MDT (01:51 UTC) |
| LRU Las Cruces, NM | 40 nm out, 13 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the east (090°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,456 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| TCS Truth Or Consequences, NM | 99 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 4,861 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| GNT Grants, NM | 218 nm out, 18 nm east of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,300 feet, a broken layer at 4,800 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 11 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | 4,800 ft | 6,536 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| GUP Gallup, NM | 257 nm out, 13 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,472 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| BDG Blanding, UT | 376 nm out, 14 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 7,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 5,867 ft | 02:15 UTC |
| HVE Hanksville, UT | 445 nm out, 15 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,500 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 11 knots, gusting to 14 | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 4,453 ft | 02:10 UTC |
| PUC Price, UT | 514 nm out, 17 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 13 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 5,957 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| PVU Provo, UT | 564 nm out, 7 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, scattered clouds at 4,600 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet Weather: light rain, mist | calm | 6 mi | 7,000 ft | 4,496 ft | 02:22 UTC |
| SLC Salt Lake City, UT | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the south (170°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 4,230 ft | 8:30 pm MDT (02:30 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,536 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SLC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:52 am MDT (06:52 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SLC
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind variable at 10 knots, gusting to 25, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for ELP, the departure
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 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
- At times between Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind variable at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility 4 miles, rain showers
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 ELP 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC), at SLC 6:52 pm MDT (00:52 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm MDT (01:19 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SLC is before sunrise there (7:35 am MDT (13:35 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, Salt Lake City International.